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From a scrappy showroom-on-wheels to a global empire, Kenneth Cole didn't just build a brand—he sparked a movement. This compelling documentary chronicles the audacious journey of a maverick entrepreneur who refused to separate profit from purpose, forever changing the landscape of fashion advertising and corporate responsibility.
In 1982, an ambitious designer without a showroom pulled off an ingenious guerrilla marketing stunt, registering his shoe company as a film production to sell thousands of pairs from a trailer in midtown Manhattan. That bold beginning set the tone for four decades of boundary-pushing innovation and social commitment. Kenneth Cole revolutionized advertising by creating campaigns that were deliberately provocative, culturally urgent, and unapologetically cause-driven. His ads didn't just sell shoes—they challenged America's conscience on AIDS, homelessness, LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, and social justice. Humorous yet hard-hitting, controversial yet compassionate, these campaigns gave voice to the marginalized and transformed how brands could engage with social issues.
Through intimate interviews with fashion luminaries, global thought leaders, longtime collaborators, and dedicated employees, combined with a rich archive of social activism footage, the film reveals the remarkable story of a man who consistently risked his business to advance humanitarian causes. From destigmatizing HIV/AIDS to championing mental health awareness, Kenneth Cole has spent 40 years proving that commerce and conscience aren't just compatible—they're inseparable.
- Year2024
- Runtime98 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- PremiereSoutheast US Premiere
- DirectorDori Berinstein
- ScreenwriterDori Berinstein
- CastKenneth Cole, Michael Atmore, Katie Couric, Deepak Chopra, Alan Cumming
- CinematographerDan Fridman
- EditorElisa Bonora
If you would like to donate to support our efforts, you can do so by clicking here. You can also experience all the films streaming in the Festival's virtual program by purchasing an All-Access Virtual Pass by clicking here.
From a scrappy showroom-on-wheels to a global empire, Kenneth Cole didn't just build a brand—he sparked a movement. This compelling documentary chronicles the audacious journey of a maverick entrepreneur who refused to separate profit from purpose, forever changing the landscape of fashion advertising and corporate responsibility.
In 1982, an ambitious designer without a showroom pulled off an ingenious guerrilla marketing stunt, registering his shoe company as a film production to sell thousands of pairs from a trailer in midtown Manhattan. That bold beginning set the tone for four decades of boundary-pushing innovation and social commitment. Kenneth Cole revolutionized advertising by creating campaigns that were deliberately provocative, culturally urgent, and unapologetically cause-driven. His ads didn't just sell shoes—they challenged America's conscience on AIDS, homelessness, LGBTQ+ rights, gun control, and social justice. Humorous yet hard-hitting, controversial yet compassionate, these campaigns gave voice to the marginalized and transformed how brands could engage with social issues.
Through intimate interviews with fashion luminaries, global thought leaders, longtime collaborators, and dedicated employees, combined with a rich archive of social activism footage, the film reveals the remarkable story of a man who consistently risked his business to advance humanitarian causes. From destigmatizing HIV/AIDS to championing mental health awareness, Kenneth Cole has spent 40 years proving that commerce and conscience aren't just compatible—they're inseparable.
- Year2024
- Runtime98 minutes
- LanguageEnglish
- CountryUnited States
- PremiereSoutheast US Premiere
- DirectorDori Berinstein
- ScreenwriterDori Berinstein
- CastKenneth Cole, Michael Atmore, Katie Couric, Deepak Chopra, Alan Cumming
- CinematographerDan Fridman
- EditorElisa Bonora



