NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cole Haan, the global lifestyle brand and retailer, is thrilled to announce the inclusion in Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for 2017. The annual ranking of the world's Most Innovative Companies, honors leading enterprises and rising newcomers that exemplify the best in nimble business and impactful innovation. Out of thousands of vibrant companies considered for inclusion, Cole Haan has secured a coveted spot amongst the top 10 brands in the Style category.

Most Innovative Companies is one of Fast Company's most significant and highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. To produce the 2017 list, Fast Company reporters surveyed thousands of enterprises across the globe to identify the most notable innovations of the year and trace the impact of those initiatives on business, industry, and the larger culture.

"To earn the position as a Most Innovative Company and to be surrounded by such incredible talent is an honor," says Jack Boys, CEO. "We're so proud of our team's accomplishments and their tireless efforts to continue to bring a constantly evolving roster of innovative and stylish lifestyle collections to our customer."

The coverage highlights Top 10 lists in 36 sectors and geographies, from artificial intelligence to health to travel.

A first for the brand, this tremendous win coincides with a year marked by a series of innovative brand launches, including 2.ZERØGRAND, GrandRevølution, StudiøGrand and most recently ZERØGRAND Stitchlite™. Constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and style, Cole Haan is disrupting the status quo and reimagining what it means to be "elegant innovators". In 2013 the company owned only two patents on handbags and today owns over 140 patents issued and pending on footwear throughout the world.

Paying homage to the brand's steadfast dedication to fuse craft, style and engineering, Cole Haan opened its Global Innovation Center in Greenland, New Hampshire, in 2015, representing a historic moment and focus for the company. The Global Innovation Center enables Cole Haan to continually expand elegant innovation into a full range of lifestyle products for men and women. Leading the center's vision and team is Scott Patt, a 20-plus year design veteran of branded apparel and footwear. Given the technology and diverse skillset of the talent within the center, the teams can physically realize projects from concept to launch while solving for the ever-changing needs of Cole Haan's extraordinary customers faster than ever before.

"At Cole Haan, innovation is ingrained in everything we do and built into our very ethos of invention and reinvention, so this is an incredible feat and reflects the resolute dedication of the teams in both New Hampshire and New York," says Scott Patt, Vice President of Design and Innovation at Cole Haan. "We're honored to be chosen and included alongside the very best in the industry."

Cole Haan has seen enormous success with new innovative and stylish products to meet increasing consumer demand, the brand has opened a number of flagship stores across the country, including Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center in New York City, NorthPark Center in Dallas, Brickell Center in Miami, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California and, in eight weeks, at Century City in Los Angeles.

"Each year, our reporting team scours the globe to identify organizations that have been both innovative and impactful in their industry, the business world, and the larger culture," says Robert Safian, Editor and Managing Director of Fast Company, in a letter sent to Cole Haan. "At a time marked by political and economic uncertainty, your ability to rise to the top of your field is especially meaningful and inspiring. I'm excited to welcome you to a dynamic, inspiring class of companies from around the world."

Fast Company's 2017 Most Innovative Companies is now available online at www.fastcompany.com/MIC as well as in app form via iTunes.

About Cole Haan

Cole Haan LLC, with its Global Headquarters in Greenland, New Hampshire and Creative Center in New York City, is an iconic American lifestyle accessories brand and retailer of premium men's, women's and children's footwear, handbags, leather accessories, outerwear and eyewear. Cole Haan stands for its commitment to craftsmanship, timeless style and design innovation. For more information, visit ColeHaan.com and follow @ColeHaan.

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the world's leading progressive business media brand, with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, ethical economics, leadership, and design. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, one of the U.S.'s leading media companies.

For more information, contact:
Kimry Blackwelder, Cole Haan
Phone: +1 (212) 763-3060
E-mail: kimry.blackwelder@colehaan.com 

SOURCE Cole Haan

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