Review: “A Man With Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole”

On October 5th, at the Hamptons International Film Festival, the World Premiere of “A Man With Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole” was screened to a sold-out audience. What was most surprising about this documentary, produced and directed by Tony and Emmy award-winning Dori Berinstein, was how it presented 40 years of social action that has helped shape the world of today for the better in a focused yet entertaining fashion.

Global fashion icon and footwear designer Kenneth Cole is a remarkable person and brand.  Perhaps you own a pair of shoes or accessories from his brand. However, what you may not know is who he is as a man. This film focuses on Kenneth Cole’s advocacy side. He has been very concerned about issues such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, LGBTQIA+ rights, and mental health. The film follows his journey as he took public action through advertising campaigns and public events to bring these issues to the forefront. The immense scope of Mr. Cole’s contributions is chronologically presented in this documentary, which completely immerses the author and the audience.

Mr. Cole took action when many in the fashion business and the world turned their heads. This part of the documentary is powerful. The fact that both Mr. Cole’s business and social life centered around New York City made him super aware of so many leading social issues because of the high volume of suffering that goes on daily for the underserved. Instead of turning away and pretending that he just didn’t see it, he took action with both his time and wallet. The caveat of this presentation is the forceful personality and genuine wit that Mr. Cole possesses. Although covering so many serious workplace and social issues, there are many instances of complete audience laughter that occurred during the 98 minutes of this film.

What is most spellbinding is the “treasure trove” of archival footage and interviews with fashion leaders, global scientists, and longtime collaborators that adds energy and power to the legitimacy of what one is watching on the screen. Seeing these moving visual snapshots of a NYC changing is magical.

Mr. Cole built his successful business while also staying at the forefront of explosive social issues. It is painful to watch how his activism at times hurt him and his business in very public ways, yet there are also the successes of these policies both for society and his bottom line.

The importance of his family is poignantly portrayed in this film, starting with his dad, mom, and family and then addressing his marriage into the powerful NY political Cuomo family by marrying his wife and partner, Maria Cuomo Cole.

There can be no doubt that Mr. Cole understood the importance of the bottom line. However, this film demonstrates how social activism and sound business practices can be combined to embody the essence of the current euphemism: “Win, Win!” Mr. Cole clearly expresses his pride in what has been accomplished, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS, while also emphasizing our collective need to continue addressing and rectifying many of today’s social issues.

A great part of the Hamptons International Film Festival screenings are the Q&A sessions that follow with the participants of the film and the audience. During this session Mr. Cole and Ms. Berinstein answered questions. A woman asked about Mr Cole’s future political aspirations to which Mr. Cole responded, “No I don’t have any,  I believe one can sometimes make more influential differences as a private citizen.”

“A Man With Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole” was Executively produced by Geralyn White Dreyfus, Regina K. Scully, Ryan Harrington, and Elizabeth Armstrong. After the “World Premiere,” the film’s Director and Producer, Dori Berinstein, shared that she thought the whole evening went by “Wonderfully.”