In celebration of the 10 th annual Guinness World Records Day and the 60 th anniversary of the Guinness World Records book, fashion designer Kenneth Cole partnered with Today Show Contributor Jill Martin to create the world's largest high-heeled shoe. The shoe was unveiled live Thursday, November 13 th on the Today Show during the ten o'clock hour with Kathie Lee and Hoda.
The replica which was modeled after The Kenneth Cole New York Otto, a polished-leather lug sole bootie from the fall 2014 collection, stands an astonishing 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 6 feet, 5 inches long. The shoe, built by Izquierdo Studio - a costume and prop design atelier, took nearly 400 hours to create and required five and a half hides, as well as 3-D printing to craft the buckle and clasp which measured over a foot long.
"The steps involved with creating a shoe are often underestimated, so when Jill called with this idea of creating the world's largest shoe, I immediately jumped at the chance," said Kenneth Cole. "My career as a designer has literally reached a new height as breaking a Guinness World Record is no small feet."
"I had written on my bucket list that I wanted to break a world record and thought something shoe-related would be a perfect fit! This has been a labor of love and could not have asked for a better teammate. Kenneth Cole is everything he prides himself to be: creative, quirky and extremely philanthropic. I am happy we will step right into the Guinness World Record book together!" said Jill Martin.
The team partnered with the Garden of Dreams Foundation a non-profit charity that works closely with all areas of The Madison Square Garden Company, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Entertainment and MSG Media, to make dreams come true for children facing obstacles. Four children from the foundation collaborated with Izquierdo Studios to bring Kenneth's vision of the shoe to life.
Kenneth Cole Productions will be donating $5 from the sale of every shoe on kennethcole.com from 10 AM Thursday, November 13 th through 6 PM Friday, November 14 th to the Foundation.
After being unveiled on the Today Show, the shoe will be showcased at Lord & Taylor's flagship NYC location on their newly renovated shoe floor.
ABOUT Kenneth Cole PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Kenneth Cole is an American designer, social activist, and visionary who believes businessand philanthropy are interdependent. His global company, Kenneth Cole Productions, createsmodern, functional, clothing, shoes, and accessories for inspirational urban lifestyles under the brand names Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction and Unlisted, as well as footwear under the nameGentle Souls. The company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men's and women's apparel, fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and several other accessory categories, including children's footwear. The company's products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, company-owned retail stores and its e-commerce website.
Over 30years ago, Kenneth Cole leveraged his passion and unique brand platform to make a meaningful impact on people's wardrobes, as well as communities in need. He did what others didn't and said what others wouldn't. Today, The Kenneth Cole Foundation remains committed to helping communities in need by supporting Collective Health, Civil Liberties, and Artistic Activism.
ABOUT THE GARDEN OF DREAMS FOUNDATION
The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit charity that works closely with all areas of The Madison Square Garden Company, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Entertainment and MSG Media, to make dreams come true for children facing obstacles. Through unique and unforgettable, on-going events and programs, the Foundation develops strong, long-term relationships that truly change lives. Since its inception in September 2006, Garden of Dreams has created thousands of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that have brought joy and happiness to more than 250,000 children and their families, with nearly 500 events in the past year alone. Garden of Dreams' extraordinary relationship with The Madison Square Garden Company allows it to do what no other charity in the world can do: use the magic and power of MSG's personalities and properties to brighten the lives of children and their families who battle everything from homelessness and extreme poverty, to illness, to foster care.
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