Fab Ad: Kenneth Cole Non-Uniform Thinking Campaign

March 7, 2008

This may look like just an everyday fashion ad, but look closer and you'll see that the model has prosthetic limbs. That's because Aimee Mullins was born without fibulae in both legs. All of Kenneth Cole's latest non-uniform thinking ads have a message that goes beyond outer beauty. They still do their job — sell shoes — but in the most nonsuperficial way possible. One ad features a gay married couple and their daughter, while another is modeled by the HIV-positive editor-in-chef of POZ Magazine. I'm more physically drawn to pretty ads, but these have a strong emotional message. What do you think?

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35 Comments

fireyelectra 5 years 9 weeks

For me, I love the ad with the quad rugby player, the tattooed girl and the girl with prosthetic legs. This ad campaign does a beautiful job of putting marginalized bodies in the limelight. My only regret is that there isn't a little person. All of the ads are great -- esp with the videos on the kenneth cole site -- but those 3 were my favorites.

fireyelectra 5 years 9 weeks

ooashybabeoo 5 years 9 weeks

I LOVE this!

ooashybabeoo 5 years 9 weeks

I LOVE this!

megln1022 5 years 9 weeks

yes they are still using thin people to sell shoes- however the are using thin a diverse background of thin people to sell shoes- so its definitely a step up from the norm.

snowbunny11 5 years 10 weeks

This is like the dove commercials where they show larger women who are still perfectly proportioned and have perfect, airbrushed skin that I could never aspire to. Sure, I'm skinnier than they are, but still not as pretty, so what's the point? But..I like some of these ads anyway! I just love how it isn't superficial, because the woman has prosthetic legs. She is still gorgeous, since when did having a fake limb make one not superficial!

snowbunny11 5 years 10 weeks

kimmbot 5 years 10 weeks

Yeah... I pretty much love everything Kenneth Cole, so I'm not really one to speak. But I am seriously jonesing for those white heels in the first picture.

whitefox 5 years 10 weeks

Seems that they're just trying to get in on the success campaigns such as"Dove", "Ikea", and "Maidenform" (I think) have already had. While the ideas have been great, his ads seem like they're trying too hard and come across as a bit disingenuous. I do like the one with the beautiful woman with the prosthetic legs, though: subtle yet effective (and she looks like a "real" model)!

TheStyleElite 5 years 10 weeks

very original

TheStyleElite 5 years 10 weeks

very original

emalove 5 years 10 weeks

This is great. I really like it.

nyaradzom2001 5 years 10 weeks

i love it!!!

nyaradzom2001 5 years 10 weeks

i love it!!!

berrymix 5 years 10 weeks

I like that they were able to marry the strong message and the fashionable look effectively. These are great advertisements.

laurniedoll 5 years 10 weeks

They're still using thin, good-looking people to sell shoes. How is that not superficial?

mommie 5 years 10 weeks

Kenneth Cole himself is one of the good guys. Raising conscieousness is always a good thing.

DreaAST 5 years 10 weeks

I like this!

DreaAST 5 years 10 weeks

I like this!

petite42 5 years 10 weeks

Love it. Great campaign.

petite42 5 years 10 weeks

Love it. Great campaign.

starbright14 5 years 10 weeks

I think these are awesome! Just great, fashion + activism.

x_juicyfruit 5 years 10 weeks

Great adverts!

x_juicyfruit 5 years 10 weeks

Great adverts!

jennifer76 5 years 10 weeks

Hmmm...the only one I remember seeing in a magazine was the girl with the tattoos. I didn't even realize it had a statement behind it. I thought it was just trying to be edgy. :P I like it when companies do things like this. Of course they're just trying to sell shoes. It's ADVERTISING. But, why not say something worthwhile at the same time...? Good for them.

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35 Comments

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