2026 Social Impact Summit Honors Kenneth Cole and Selena Gomez
Kenneth Cole and Selena Gomez were honored at the 2026 Social Impact Summit, the first outing of the Social Impact Fund to focus on fashion and beauty philanthropy, where speakers and panelists shared insight on topics from the importance of creative diversity to why college isn’t the only pathway to a career in the industry. Veteran fashion and accessories designer Kenneth Cole was honored with the Social Impact Fund’s Excellence in Fashion Philanthropy Award by Michael Atmore, editor-in-chief of Women’s Wear Daily, in front of an audience full of VIPS, Fashion Institute of Technology students and fashion and beauty execs inside FIT’s theater. In 1985 — more than 40 years ago — Cole started a very witty ad campaign in support of HIV/AIDS research and charities. He was the first person in fashion to launch a full-scale philanthropic ad campaign, which led the way for many others. “At the time I started,” Cole told Atmore as part of an onstage Q&A, “AIDS was already pervasive, but no one was talking about it. I don’t think we could …





