Kenneth Cole Partners with KJ Dillard for Mental Health Awareness Campaign

Kenneth Cole is continuing to shine a light on mental health.

As the month of June — identified as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month — winds down, the designer is teaming with television personality, model, musician and former professional skateboarder KJ Dillard for the final installment of his Purposeful Voices series. The mental health advocacy initiative encourages conversations around emotional well-being by focusing on individuals who help break down stigma through honesty and vulnerability.

Through a series of conversations and portraits, Dillard, who spent nearly a decade as a professional skateboarder before moving into modeling, music and television, addresses navigating life in the public eye, the pressures men face in expressing emotion and prioritizing mental well-being.

“Growing up, I often felt isolated and alone, and I know so many people struggle with the same things but feel like they’re the only one,” he said. “If being honest about my experiences helps someone feel seen, ask for help or realize they’re not alone, then that’s why I share my story.”

Cole, chairman and chief creative officer of Kenneth Cole Productions Inc., said that since Dillard starred on the Bravo series “Summer House,” and made his mental health challenges public, “KJ felt like a natural fit for us to work with because he understands the power of sharing your story. At its core, Purposeful Voices is about creating space for real conversations and real experiences, because our stories can often help others navigate their own journeys. That’s what makes KJ’s perspective so valuable.”

Throughout the campaign, Dillard is styled in a selection of Kenneth Cole looks.

Dillard said the partnership “came together at the right time in my life. I’ve been doing a lot of work on myself and reflecting on everything that’s shaped me, from skateboarding to music to television. Kenneth and his team created space for me to be honest about that journey, and that felt real from the start.”

He added that he felt it was important to become part of the conversation since “men are often taught to keep things in and push through. I know firsthand how heavy that can become. If sharing my experience helps even one person feel less alone or more comfortable speaking up, then it’s worth it.”

Dillard believes that as a public figure, “people only see parts of your life, and there’s pressure to always look strong. But strength can also mean being honest when you’re struggling. I think the more public figures show that side of themselves, the more it helps make those conversations feel normal.”

Dillard will also serve as a champion for The Mental Health Coalition, a nonprofit founded by Cole in 2020 to help end the stigma surrounding mental health and expand access to resources and support.

Although Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month is ending, Cole said he will continue to focus on the issue. “Helping KJ share his story felt especially meaningful because his willingness to speak openly can help move that conversation forward. I’ve always believed that what you stand for is more important than what you stand in. That belief has guided how I use my platform, to speak openly about issues that matter and to help move important conversations forward. When people choose to use their voices, it empowers others to do the same. Mental health is a perfect example. There’s still so much stigma around these conversations, and that’s why it’s so important for people with a platform to speak up, be honest and help create a culture where asking for support is seen as strength, not weakness.”