jackie kradin
Meet Jackie Kradin, True Fashion Girl, and Given the Chance, Shoe Designer
NT: Before you were a designer who were you?
J: Before I was a designer I was a little lost honestly. I knew I wanted to be a successful, independent, powerhouse business women. Doing what though? I had no clue. I always loved fashion and putting outfits together, but at the time, I didn’t even think of going to college for fashion. This was also before social media and bloggers, so I never even thought of making a career out of it. I went to school for marketing and when I graduated, I had no idea what to do. I landed a job at Clark’s, in customer service answering phones from 11 am to 8 at night; talking to people whose 10 year old shoes had fallen apart and wanted a new pair for free. This was not the job for me, but I knew I had to get my foot in the door and start somewhere. My love for footwear started to evolve and I desperately wanted to get more involved in the product side but they never gave me a chance.
“Bloggers were also emerging and all I wanted to do was quit and become a fashion blogger but I felt too insecure to put my personal life out there for all the world to see. So, I moved to New York, started working at Steve Madden, took classes at FIT and worked my way into a designer role.“
NT: How has New York changed your fashion sense?
J: I grew up in Massachusetts, so there wasn’t ever really any diversity in the way people dressed. Living in New York on the other hand, inspires me every day. The way people dress and carry themselves here is really something special. I’ve become a lot more confident in taking risks with my fashion choices and try things that I probably would have never tried if I didn’t live here.
NT: How has your style evolved, as you’ve gotten older?
J: My fashion sense has become a lot more refined and authentic to my personal style. My style has always had a very bohemian and freestyle influence but I also love a very clean and tailored look. I dress for my mood so I mix it up all the time while trying to maintain attributes of femininity.
BF: What’s your favorite thing to cook?
J: A roasted chicken with lots of vegetables.
NT: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
J: Don’t try to impress everyone.
NT: Being a shoe designer, tell us. What shoe should every girl own?
J: Every girl needs a few staples. A white pair of sneakers – right now I’m really into the Nike Blazer Mid ’77 Vintage, nude strappy heeled sandals and black booties. I stick to the more timeless look of footwear. I like making a statement every now and then but I am a collector of shoes, and if I’m going to spend a lot of money on a pair, I want them to always be in style. My go to designer brand is The Row, always.
NT: Who inspires you?
J: My parents. They are the most selfless and hardest working people I know.
