Keds enlists celebrities to mark centennial year

Footwear brand Keds is championing female empowerment to mark its centennial year with the launch of the ‘Ked Collective’ featuring group of female creative entrepreneurs and celebrities including Ciara and Allison Williams.

"As we celebrate our centennial year, we are thrilled to introduce the world to the new Keds Collective, a group of inspiring women who have made a significant impact in their respective industries," said Chris Lindner, president, Keds. "The members of the Keds Collective mirror the individuality and everyday triumphs of the women in the world who wear our sneakers--celebrating female empowerment, individuality and following your own path to success."

The Keds Collective features actor Allison Williams, who is also joining the brand as creative director and star of the brand’s two short videos, titled ‘Woman's Touch’ and ‘Uncharted Territory,’ and singer Ciara, who will collaborate on a signature shoe design.

Additional members include co-founder of Wearable Experiments Billie Whitehouse, musician and actress Soko, model Cailin Russo, blogger, actress and style icon Jamie Chung, and K-pop star Krystal Jung.

The idea behind the campaign comes from Keds commitment and association over the years to female empowerment and self-expression, in the brand’s 100 years it has been associated with iconic women such as Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie O and Yoko Ono.

The spring 2016 ad campaign will feature the famous faces of the Collective modelling new product offerings alongside powerful messages such as, ‘We'll disarm you with our beauty, brains, and whimsical prints.’

Other activity during its 100th year will include the launch of the Keds Custom Studio, which will allow consumers to design and customise a pair of Keds with exclusive patterns and materials. The studio will also bring to life each member of the Keds Collective's own personal designs for consumers to buy.

Images: Keds