Kenneth Cole New York

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, apparel and accessories under the brand names Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, Unlisted and Le Tigre, as well as footwear under the proprietary trademark Gentle Souls. The Company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men's, women's and children's apparel as well as fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear and several other accessory categories. The Company's products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, company-owned retail stores and its e-commerce website. Further information can be found at http://www.kennethcole.com.

In commemorating the 25th anniversary of Kenneth Cole Productions, Kenneth Cole wanted to celebrate the people and the stores that inspired him – people who have achieved extraordinary change often through ordinary acts or resources. Kenneth Cole released AWEARNESS: Inspiring Stores about How to Make a Difference and the AWEARNESS initiative with the hope to encourage everyone to get involved to help make a difference.

Conceived and edited by Kenneth Cole, the book is comprised of eighty-six compelling essays from ninety contributors who tell their stores of inspiration and service along with resourceful information in the “Hot To” and “Where To” sections about how and where anyone can get involved at any and every level – all one needs as they seek to enter or in the future explore the fulfilling world of service and volunteerism. The book is organized into nine chapters of relevant topics for our times: POLITICAL ACTIVISM, HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL LIBERTIES, HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY, WELL-BEING, HIV/AIDS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, THE ENVIRONMENT, and YOUTH AND EDUCATION.

Contributors include well-known personalities such as JON BON JOVI, LANCE ARMSTRONG, ROSARIO DAWSON, ROBERT REDFORD, DON CHEADLE, LUDACRIS and RACHAEL RAY to elected officials including NYC MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR GAVIN NEWSOM and NEWARK MAYOR CORY BOOKER to activists the world may not be as familiar with such as Rwandan refugee JACQUELINE MURAKATETE, anti-genocide activist JOHN PRENDERGAST, AIDS activist PETER STALEY and social entrepreneur BLAKE MYCOSKIE of Tom’s Shoes to activists ROBERT KENNEDY, JR. AND MARTIN LUTHER KING III.
Along with the book, there is a comprehensive user-friendly website, awearness.com where link-minded individuals can join the AWEARNESS Alliance, become a Change Agent, be inspired by other Change Agents, buy AWEARNESS product, where 100% of net proceeds goes to the AWEARNESS FUND, and find volunteer opportunities in their geographic locations. AWEARNESS: Inspiring Stores about how to make a Difference along with awearness.com is a perfect tool for anyone interested in invested all or part of their time to service, volunteerism and social change.

Kenneth Cole’s AWEARNESS is a not-for-profit entity that supports, empowers and encourages acts of service, volunteerism and social change. How? Through merchandise, events and providing a platform for the inspirational acts of Change Agents – people who see a problem and try to become the solution by striving to make a difference. AWEARNESS aims to raise awareness, stimulate public debate and provide inspiration and opportunities to help our communities get involved and give back. All monies raised are donated to the AWEARNESS FUND – a not-for-profit entity that supports, encourages, and empowers acts of service, volunteerism and social change.