A MAN with SOLE: The Impact of Kenneth Cole [Exclusive Interview]
A MAN with SOLE: The Impact of Kenneth Cole - Photo COURTESY of Doc NYC
Exploring the Vision of Kenneth Cole: ‘A MAN with SOLE’
Documentary Premiere
The highly anticipated documentary A MAN with SOLE: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, directed by Dori Bernstein, will have its New York City premiere at DOC NYC 2024. This inspiring film chronicles the remarkable journey of designer Kenneth Cole, who has spent 40 years putting ‘cause’ before ‘commerce,’ using his influence to ignite social awareness and drive change through his iconic brand.
The world premiere will take place on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the IFC Center, followed by a second public screening on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 9:15 PM at Village East by Angelika. Online screenings will also be available from Tuesday, November 19 to Sunday, December 01, 2024. The documentary offers an intimate exploration of Kenneth Cole’s commitment to social change, highlighting his journey of advocacy through fashion.
For over four decades, Cole has championed numerous causes—from AIDS awareness to LGBTQIA+ rights, homelessness, civil liberties, and mental health. The film delves into how Cole leveraged his platform in the fashion industry to amplify these vital social issues, putting purpose above profit.
Directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Dori Bernstein, who previously partnered with Cole on social impact campaigns for Broadway’s The Prom, the documentary showcases the passion and resilience behind Cole’s advocacy efforts. Bernstein’s close relationship with Cole allowed her to capture his activism from a unique perspective, giving audiences an intimate view of his life—both as a designer and as a dedicated advocate for social justice. In an exclusive interview with The Cinema Group, Kenneth Cole and Dori Bernstein share their experience in creating this documentary and discuss the importance of highlighting Cole’s four-decade-long fight for social justice.
Photo COURTESY of Doc NYC
A Story of Passion, Purpose, and Activism
With heart and ‘sole,’ Kenneth Cole’s tireless dedication to causes such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, LGBTQIA+ rights, civil liberties, social justice, and mental health has consistently given a voice to the voiceless, shattered stigmas, sparked conversations, and inspired meaningful action. From risking his company to support AIDS awareness in the 1980s to his recent efforts to tackle mental health challenges, Cole has embedded social activism into the DNA of his brand.
This documentary captures the profound depth of Cole’s impact, showing how he measures success not by profit margins, but by the positive societal changes he has inspired. Interviews with Cole, his collaborators, and prominent social justice advocates provide an intimate glimpse into his motivations and the challenges he faced throughout his career.
A Unique Artistic Vision
Dori Berinstein brings a distinct perspective to the storytelling of A MAN with SOLE. Inspired by her work with Kenneth Cole Productions in 2017 on her Broadway musical The Prom, Berinstein captures the authenticity, commitment, and passion that define Cole’s advocacy. The film not only spotlights pivotal moments from Cole’s career but also serves as an inspirational call to action for the next generation of activists and creators.
Dori Bernstein Photo COURTESY of Doc NYC Kenneth Cole PHOTOGRAPH BY PATRICK JAMES MILLER FOR FORTUNE
TCG Exclusive Conversation
with Kenneth Cole and Dori Bernstein
Conducted November 11, 2024, 4:10 P.M. in New York, NY
Jonathan Moustakas: Hi, it’s great to finally meet you both. I’m Jonathan, the creative director and founder of The Cinema Group. I’ve been really looking forward to this. Thanks for taking the time to meet with me. Did you see the film?
Kenneth Cole: Where did you see it, Jonathan? Did you watch a screener or…
Jonathan Moustakas: Yes, a screener, but I’m actually planning to come to the New York premiere at the film festival at IFC. I’m really excited to see it on the big screen.
Kenneth Cole: Great. Thank you.
Jonathan Moustakas: I know you’re pressed for time, so why don’t we dive in?
Kenneth Cole: Absolutely.
Jonathan Moustakas: Kenneth, your campaigns have always reflected a strong sense of social consciousness. How did you decide to bring your journey to the screen with Dory? And what was it like seeing your life in documentary format?
Kenneth Cole: I think it was more Dori’s decision initially than mine. I agreed to support it because it felt like the right time to do it, especially with the world as it is today. Also, 40 years into my business, it seemed like an interesting turning point. I trusted Dori would be able to manage all the complexities of the story better than anyone else I knew. As for seeing it on film, it was very hard—I avoided watching it until the audience saw it. I was literally hiding under my seat, but surprisingly, I ended up enjoying it.
Jonathan Moustakas: Also, I’m sure that I feel the same about seeing my life reflected as well. But Dory, what’s the kind of story, and was there a particular moment or aspect of his work that resonated with you most that made you want to tell the story?
Dori Bernstein: Ah, there was so much. I had been familiar with Kenneth’s work for social impact as well, of course, as his work in fashion for a very, very long time, and was just so excited when I saw all the iconic advertising. So it was immediately clear that his brand was unique—right from the start, it fused fashion with social causes. I was drawn to it for that reason. But it wasn’t until 2018 when I had the opportunity to work with Kenneth and his team on a Broadway show I did called The Prom, where they were our social impact partners, that I truly saw his commitment firsthand. I was in awe of the work I got to see firsthand, led by Kenneth himself. His commitment to the cause and deep authenticity really stood out. Knowing all the issues Kenneth had tackled in the past really blew me away. And when I heard that he was focusing on mental health, it was like a light bulb went off—this was such an important story to tell.
Jonathan Moustakas: Yeah, I’m happy you did it. It really spoke to me, especially since mental health is such an important topic for me. Kenneth, you’ve been a strong advocate for the HIV/AIDS crisis and mental health. Which causes have had the most personal impact on you, and how did they shape the brand’s evolution?
Kenneth Cole: Early on, you know, the fashion business is a hard business, and you need to continue to be relevant, which is a very conceptual and interpretive expression. What’s relevant to you may not be to me. What’s relevant today may not be tomorrow. I always believed that if I could speak to an audience not just about what was on their body but what was on their mind, not just what they stood in but what they stood for, then I’d have a business that was so much more sustainable and meaningful. At the time, it was very early in my business, and HIV was on everybody’s minds, but nobody spoke of it. It was so frightening—people were dying with no sense of hope, and we didn’t fully understand how it was transmitted. But you couldn’t talk about it, because if you did, you were perceived to be part of one of the at-risk communities, all of which were terribly stigmatized. So I decided to do it anyway, despite what many smarter, wiser, and more experienced businesspeople might have said. I felt this was a chance to be part of something very meaningful and important. And it changed everything—it changed me, it changed the brand, it changed the company.
Jonathan Moustakas: Is there any additional cause you see yourself focusing on in the future?
Kenneth Cole: There’s so much more I’d love to do. But right now, I think about mental health—one in 200 people still live with HIV, and one in four with mental health conditions, arguably. We say it’s four in four because if it isn’t you, it’s someone you love, someone in your family, community, or workplace—everyone is affected by it. In this space, there are so many diverse projects we are committing to. Where does it go from here? I don’t know. The world changed a lot recently, and I think it makes what we’re doing even more important.
Jonathan Moustakas: Dory, the film covers such a substantial timeline of Kenneth’s career and activism. How did you and your team decide which key moments to focus on, and what was the editing process like?
Dori Bernstein: It was very challenging. This could have been a miniseries without a doubt—there was just so much material. Even since we locked the picture, there have been so many things Kenneth has done, especially with the Mental Health Coalition, that could have been captured. The editing experience was glorious but also torturous because there were so many great stories about Kenneth’s work in other areas that we had to limit ourselves, and that was very difficult.
Jonathan Moustakas: Kenneth, were there any moments in the documentary that you felt particularly vulnerable sharing with the public?
Kenneth Cole: Yes. At the end, I shared a personal struggle that I hadn’t wanted to talk about earlier because I wasn’t sure if it influenced what I did and why, and I didn’t want it to overwhelm the bigger story. But for the film to have integrity and to be fully honest, I needed to go inside and share more than what existed out in the world. It was done beautifully, though, and that feeling of almost a confessional was freeing in a way.
Jonathan Moustakas: Last question for both of you—if you could go back to the beginning of your careers, what piece of advice would you give to your younger selves or to a young artist looking to make an impact?
Dori Bernstein: I couldn’t believe more deeply that art has the power to change hearts and minds. Tell the stories that mean something to you, the stories you’re passionate about. That’s what I try to do with my work in film and theater.
Kenneth Cole: For me, it’s just to find purpose—on purpose.
Jonathan Moustakas: Well, I really appreciate you both meeting with me today. It was an honor, and I’m excited to come see the film on the big screen. Thank you so much.
Dori Bernstein & Kenneth Cole: Thank you, Jonathan.
Be Sure to Catch A MAN with SOLE
at Its Upcoming Premiere
DOC NYC Premiere Details:
Don’t miss your chance to experience A MAN with SOLE, a documentary that brings to life Kenneth Cole’s unwavering pursuit of social justice through fashion and advocacy. This powerful story demonstrates the impact of purpose-driven work and the difference one individual can make.
NYC PREMIERE: 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. Cole’s unwavering determination fueled his company’s growth and his fierce commitment to social activism. This New York fashion icon measures success by his contribution to destigmatizing HIV/AIDS, advancing LGBTQ rights, and fighting for social justice. –Brandon Harrison
In-Person Screening:
Monday, November 18, 2024, 6:30 PM at IFC Center
Thursday, November 21, 2024, 9:15 PM at Village East by Angelika
Be among the first to experience A MAN with SOLE: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, a compelling story that delves into the intersection of fashion and advocacy. This documentary is a powerful testament to the influence of art, entrepreneurship, and the relentless pursuit of purpose in the battle for social justice.
Following the premiere, attendees will have the opportunity to join a Q&A with Kenneth Cole and director/producer Dori Berinstein, offering further insights into the making of this influential documentary.
Tickets Available Now: Doc NYC
Secure your tickets today and be part of this remarkable cinematic experience, followed by an enlightening Q&A with Kenneth Cole and Dori Berinstein. Witness firsthand how a designer’s vision and commitment to social causes have shaped both the fashion world and society at large.
Accessibility Options for In-Person Screenings:
• Closed Captioning for screenings at IFC Center and Village East by Angelika
• Sound amplification headphones available upon request at all screening venues
• T-Coil loop available at IFC Center for compatible devices
• Online Screening: Available from Tuesday, November 19 to Sunday, December 01, 2024
Join Us at DOC NYC 2024 - Don’t Miss This Opportunity to Engage with an Icon
THE CINEMA GROUP - YOUR PREMIER SOURCE FOR THE LATEST IN FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @THECINEMAGROUP
