Fashion icon and activist Kenneth Cole has put ‘cause’ before ‘commerce’ for 40 years
Sedona, AZ — The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole” showing June 20-26 at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre.
With heart and ’sole’ and unflinching determination, global fashion icon and activist Kenneth Cole has put ‘cause’ before ‘commerce’ for 40 years, igniting social awareness and change, giving voice to the voiceless, defying and shattering stigmas and inspiring and empower action for good.
In 1982, Kenneth Cole burst onto the American fashion scene. Unable to afford a traditional showroom during the New York Shoe Expo, the enterprising founder registered his footwear business as a film production, enabling him to sell thousands of pairs of shoes out of a trailer in midtown Manhattan. Clean design, high craftsmanship, and creative advertising took Kenneth Cole Productions to the top. His fierce, high-risk commitment to social causes has been the hallmark of his brand from the beginning.
In the 40 years since, Kenneth Cole has cared for “what people stand for…not just what they stand in.” Kenneth’s commitments to AIDS research, homelessness, LGBTQIA+ rights, social justice, and now mental health issues have given voice to the voiceless, defied and shattered stigmas, and inspired and empowered action for good.
Interviews with fashion leaders, global scientists, collaborators, partners and employees are fused with a treasure-trove of current and archival social initiative footage to tell Kenneth’s purposeful story of maverick invention, monumental impact and creative survival.
Forty years in, Kenneth Cole is just getting started.
“A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole” will be shown at the Alice Gill-Sheldon Theatre June 20-26. Showtimes will be Friday, Saturday and Monday, June 20, 21 and 23 at 3:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 24, 25 and 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. For tickets and more information, please call 928-282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.