
Continuing the momentum from relaunching woman’s sportswear a year ago, Kenneth Cole is jumping back into handbags.
The brand has signed a multiyear license agreement with Concept One Accessories to manufacture and distribute handbags and small leather goods under Kenneth Cole New York, Gentle Souls by Kenneth Cole and Kenneth Cole Reaction labels.
Previously, Kennth Cole Productions distributed handbags through Global Brands Group from 2017 to 2020.
“Following the incredible response to our women’s apparel launch last year, we’re excited to continue building momentum in the women’s category with the reintroduction of handbags,” explained Emily Cole, executive vice president, women’s creative director and product strategy Kenneth Cole, in a statement. “The collection is designed with the same modern, confident spirit that defines the Kenneth Cole woman — versatile, functional, and effortlessly stylish and we are proud to bring this iconic category back into her wardrobe.”
Concept One Accessories brings to the table over 25 years of experience in the handbag and fashion accessories space working with brands like Rebecca Minkoff and Jason Wu. The first market for the new Kenneth Cole assortment will be December, showing the fall 2026 collection, selling at better department stores and select specialty stores globally.
“Kenneth Cole was a very successful handbag resource for years,” Sam Hafif, chief executive officer of Concept One, said. “We had been in touch with the company over the past several years and agreed that now, following the successful relaunch of the brand’s women’s apparel, is the right time for the brand to get back into the handbag and small leather goods categories. Several of our retail partners had expressed interest in adding their brands back into their assortments, and we are very happy to be able to work with Emily Cole and the team at Kenneth Cole on this exciting opportunity.”
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