Friday, May 5, 2017

DOES YOUR KENNETH COLE PURCHASES GO TOWARD GUN CONTROL?? SNEAKY!



DOES YOUR KENNETH COLE PURCHASES GO TOWARD GUN CONTROL?? SNEAKY!

Kenneth Cole's latest 'mission-driven' ad about guns has some people enraged
Kenneth Cole has a history of making controversial political statements. Reuters/Carlo Allegri
Sep. 5, 2015, 11:44 AM 12,890
Kenneth Cole, an American fashion designer known for shoes and accessories, recently posted a billboard on gun control and mental illness that rubbed the American Psychiatric Association the wrong way.

Kenneth Cole
Kenneth Cole

After establishing the Kenneth Cole name as a prime designer of women's shoes, Cole branched out into women's wear, menswear, accessories, and even jewelry. With his clothing described as "Prada for the people," he brought simple yet chic styles like black wool three-button suits, slick loafers and subtle ties to the workingman. Cole is also known for his socially conscious brand of marketing, as he often pairs clothing ads with charitable messages dealing with causes like AIDS and homelessness.
Appeal

Married to one of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo's daughters, Cole needs no help in the female department. However, his slim, rugged look, slick clothes, and intellect are sure to draw in a few models from time to time -- but his commitment to his wife is a testament to his willpower. If we were in the same position, we'd consider "prowling the catwalk" every now and then.

Success

From the get-go, Kenneth Cole had the golden touch. Following in his father's footsteps, he began designing women's shoes in the early 1980s. After he established himself in New York with hot new shoe lines, Cole had the capital to expand the newly founded Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. First came women's clothing lines and then, once casual Fridays became a hallmark in offices across America, Cole expanded into menswear, designing everything from shoes and suits to watches and accessories.

Though Cole's clothes -- both men's and women's -- were recognizable thanks to their simple designs, clean yet stylish look, and functionality, there is more to wearing a Kenneth Cole item than just the feel. Cole is noted for his one-liner, pun-filled ads, sometimes mixing in messages that go beyond the fashion world. An ad from 1998 proclaimed, "Have a heart, give a sole," and encouraged buyers to donate a pair of their old shoes by reducing the prices of new pairs by 20%. In addition to donating to those in need of clothes, the "Wear a rubber sole" campaign urged men to use protection during sex.

Kenneth Cole's creativity and charity translated into a booming business, which has had no problem entering different realms of fashion. With his company now worth over $1 billion, he continues to concentrate on design, constantly producing clothes that make men look sharp and women, stunning.

Kenneth Cole Biography

A middle-class New Yorker born in the late 1950s, Kenneth Cole grew up amid the fashion business. His father, Charlie Cole, was the owner of El Greco, a Brooklyn-based shoe manufacturer whose biggest achievement was creating the Candie's line of women's footwear. Despite being in this atmosphere, Kenneth was not drawn to the family business and escaped to Emory University in Atlanta, intending to study law.

kenneth cole enters fashion market

Before he was able to immerse himself in his major, however, Kenneth spent a summer back in New York, working with his father. Replacing one of his dad's top assistants, Kenneth discovered that fashion wasn't so bad after all. At the end of the summer, he decided to stay in New York, forgoing his studies at Emory for a new passion.

kenneth cole starts with shoes

In 1982, after having learnt all that was possible about fashion and shoes under the tutelage of his father, Kenneth branched out, forming his own company called Kenneth Cole, Inc. He stuck with women's shoes, and headed to Europe to design his collection. Business was initially slow, and it wasn't until a trade show at a Hilton hotel in Manhattan that Kenneth made his mark.

kenneth cole's first show

Unfortunately, being a small fish in a big sea, Cole didn't have the cash to rent out a large room for the show. In order to stand out, he had to do something different. Wishing to rent out a trailer instead, Cole received a permit (by changing his company's name to Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. and claiming to be a film production company making a film called The Birth of a Shoe Company) and pulled up in front of the Hilton. During the two and a half-day trade show, Kenneth sold 40,000 pairs of shoes. His business was underway.

kenneth cole's controversial ads

Kenneth Cole continued to make a splash. In 1985, for his first major ad campaign, he decided to promote AIDS awareness and research -- the first figure in the fashion industry to do so. Coupling supermodels with children of all ethnicities, his ads read, "For the future of our children," and featured everyone barefoot. Though not a single shoe could be found in the campaign, it was a success.

Kenneth continued promoting his shoes with socially conscious ads, encouraging safe sex and donations to the homeless. He sent some of his profits to Mentoring USA, AmFar (the American Foundation for Aids Research) and Rock the Vote, an organization that encourages youth to cast their ballots.

kenneth cole marries maria cuomo

Cole met Maria Cuomo, daughter of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo, in 1986. They married a year later and Kenneth, now with a foot in the political world, befriended many famous names, including the Kennedys and Clintons. In fact, Cole is one of Bill Clinton's golfing buddies.

In 1988, Kenneth licensed out his name, spreading the Kenneth Cole brand to sunglasses, jewelry and menswear. Cole, unlike Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, continues to remain in the background, letting his creative ads and clothes speak for themselves. Outside his hometown of New York, most recognize the Kenneth Cole name, but not the face.

kenneth cole goes public

In 1994, Kenneth Cole went public. In the years since, Kenneth Cole's stock has remained solid, a testament to Cole's ability to keep with the times. In fact, Kenneth Cole Productions has been included in Forbes' annual 200 Best Small Companies list on four separate occasions. His line of clothes now expands to full lines of women's wear and menswear, watches, bags, fragrances, and of course, shoes. After some encouragement from fellow executives, Cole upped his time in the spotlight and began appearing with his wife at several public events in and around New York. In 1998, he even posed for People after the magazine named him "Sexiest Businessman of the Year." Five years later, he released a much-anticipated anthology of his company, the book Footnotes: What You Stand For Is More Important Than What You Stand In.

kenneth cole's empire

With 80 stores and outlets across the country, 4,500 shops carrying his line, a catalog, and an online boutique, Kenneth Cole is captain of an empire that topped $515 million in revenues in 2004. Marketing under three brands (Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole and Unlisted), Cole continues to design clothes that are both stylish and comfortable for the working man and woman. Cole is well-placed to be dressing people for work and play for years to come, but of course, it will all be done his own creative way.

Kenneth Cole
Kenneth D. Cole is a trustee at the Sundance Institute, married to Maria Cuomo Cole, the chairman for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, a trustee at the Kenneth Cole Foundation, and one of Bill Clinton's golfing buddies.  

Note: Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Sundance Institute, the Human Rights First, and the Harlem Children's Zone.
George Soros was the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, William D. Zabel was his divorce lawyer, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, is the founder & chairman for the Open Society Foundations.
Open Society Foundations was a funder for the Human Rights First, the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and the American Constitution Society.  
William D. Zabel was a trustee at the Foundation to Promote Open Society, George Soros’s divorce lawyer, a secretary for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and is the chair for the Human Rights First.
American Foundation for AIDS Research was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.
Kenneth Cole Foundation was a funder for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Maria Cuomo Cole is a trustee at the Kenneth Cole Foundation, married to Kenneth D. Cole, a trustee at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Mario M. Cuomo’s daughter.
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.
Mario M. Cuomo was Maria Cuomo Cole’s father, and a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society.
Janet Reno was a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society, and an attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Eric H. Holder Jr. was a board member for the American Constitution Society, an attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice, and is a partner at Covington & Burling LLP.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” Government Bureau for guns.
Covington & Burling LLP was the lobby firm for the Americans for Responsible Solutions.
Americans for Responsible Solutions is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.
Michael R. Bloomberg was a contributor for the Americans for Responsible Solutions, a benefactor for the Harlem Children's Zone, is a co-chair for the Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the founder of the Independence USA PAC, the founder of Everytown for Gun Safety, and Diana L. Taylor’s companion.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.
Independence USA PAC is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.
Everytown for Gun Safety is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” group for guns.
Diana L. Taylor is Michael R. Bloomberg’s companion, a trustee at the American Foundation for AIDS Research, and was a director at Brookfield Office Properties.
Kenneth Cole Foundation was a funder for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Brookfield Office Properties is the owner of Zuccotti Park.
Zuccotti Park is the staging area for 2011 NYC protests for Occupy Wall Street.
Occupy Wall Street was the initial protest for the Occupy Movement.
Movement Resource Group was a funder for the Occupy Movement.
Lear Family Foundation was a donor for the Movement Resource Group.
Lyn Davis Lear is a director at the Lear Family Foundation, a trustee at the Sundance Institute, and a trustee at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Kenneth D. Cole is a trustee at the Sundance Institute, married to Maria Cuomo Cole, the chairman for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, a trustee at the Kenneth Cole Foundation, and one of Bill Clinton's golfing buddies.   
Kenneth Cole Foundation was a funder for the American Foundation for AIDS Research.
American Foundation for AIDS Research was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation.
Barbra Streisand was a trustee at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, made the National Rifle Association (NRA) enemies list listed in 2013, and is the founder of the Barbra Streisand Foundation.
Barbra Streisand Foundation was a funder for the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, and the American Constitution Society.
Mario M. Cuomo was a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society, and Maria Cuomo Cole’s father.
Janet Reno was a board of adviser’s member for the American Constitution Society, and an attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice.
Eric H. Holder Jr. was a board member for the American Constitution Society, an attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice, and is a partner at Covington & Burling LLP.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” Government Bureau for guns.
Covington & Burling LLP was the lobby firm for the Americans for Responsible Solutions.
Americans for Responsible Solutions is a “Gun Safety, Gun Control” PAC for guns.

No comments: