Kenneth Cole: Golden Iris Winner for Campaign of the Year

In a year dominated by anti-gay presidential candidates and conservative-lead business boycotts, Kenneth Cole boldly incorporated images of gay couples macking on each other into its fall campaign. The employment of pro-equality visuals into the ads was part of an ongoing fearlessness the designer has displayed for more than a quarter century of mixing politics and fashion. The Cole campaign also included the launch of WhereDoYouStand.com, an interactive website encouraging users to share their views on a variety of hot-button topics.

Sandwiched between the Arab Spring and the beginning of the Occupy movement, the Kenneth Cole campaign spotted America's new populist movement well before the media did; proving once again that fashion is a step ahead of the rest.

Photos: Sean Ellis