Look Behind The Look

Welcome back to Look Behind The Look! This episode takes us into the world of Kenneth Cole through his documentary, A Man with Soul, premiering at DOC NYC. Join guest host, producer Lauren Rieckhoff as she delves into Kenneth's impactful journey in fashion and social advocacy. Discover how Cole's passion for eradicating stigma and his fearless approach to social issues have shaped his brand and legacy.

Through candid conversations with Kenneth and director Dori Berinstein, we explore the evolution of Cole's work from the early days of the AIDS epidemic to his current focus on mental health. Kenneth shares insights into his resourcefulness and the pivotal role New York City played in his career. Learn about the bold campaigns that challenged norms and the ethos that has driven Kenneth's success.

This episode celebrates the intersection of fashion and social consciousness and the film that is explaining the importance of messaging in fashion.

Catch the documentary at DOC NYC on November 18th and 21st, and stay tuned for its wider release.

00:00:00 Welcome!

00:01:54 Cole’s “business” is about “how do we impact people's lives?”

00:03:28 The impact of amfAR on the fashion world and the world.

00:06:45 Dori Berinstein talks about how Cole’s determination have led to success

00:08:10 Cole’s fearless approach to tackling social issues 30 years ago and now.

00:13:59 Enjoy the film now screening at DOC NYC November 18th and 21st.

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Quotes from Kenneth Cole

"It's not just about how many shoes or suits or bottles of fragrance can we sell and to whom. It's how do we impact people's lives?"

"I figured early on in my career that if I could talk to people about not just what's on their body, what's on their mind, not just what they stand in what they stand for, then I'd have such a more meaningful and sustainable relationship with the customer."

"These are not political issues. These are social issues. These are human issues."

"I think New York is this culture hub and it's. There's anything that. Anything you could ever dream about, you know, exists somewhere here in New York."

"Social media has redefined bravery."