There are some talented designers that I’m excited to share with you here, right in the state of MA. Kristina Kozak, featured in Lucky magazine among other publications, designs shoes with a much-missed (well, I miss it) sense of whimsy — her designs seem to be taken from the pages of a high fashion magazine in the 40s, like the shoe at left called Flower Girl (one of my favorites. Man, and I love 4″ heels — they are a standard height for me (being petite). Also, her colors are bold and fabulous. Read more about Kristina!
April Gardner: How did you start designing shoes?
Kristina Kozak: As a little girl I can remember dressing up in my grandmother’s shoes. They were so exquisite and detailed. The craftsmanship and care that went into making each shoe was evident. So I guess that’s were my obsession for shoes started. Since then I’ve always had a love of shoes and a dream that I could design my own one day. I began by gluing flowers or painting hearts on already made shoes but that didn’t suffice. Finally after a lot of research I found a school in NYC that taught me the anatomy of the foot and how to construct a shoe accordingly. Once you gain the basics of constructing a proper shoe your designs are limitless.
AG: There are a few women who see heels as a form against function — not healthy for the feet. How do you address this concern?
KK: I feel it’s really up to each individual woman to address this concern. There are some women who choose a shoe strictly for comfort and others that choose style over blisters and pain. I make my shoes stylish but wearable. I’m certainly not among the Aerosoles or Easy Spirit category but one of my main focuses is making a stylish shoe that is also comfortable.
AG: What shoe trends do you like or dislike?
KK: I don’t mind trends but I try not to pay particular attention to them. In the shoe industry they say roughly 2% of designs are original while the remaining 98% are copies of that 2% so it’s actually pretty hard to find a shoe that is unique and different. My goal is to make a shoe that will set you apart from the crowd not make you part of it.
AG: Who is your favorite designer?
KK: My favorite shoe designer is Pierre Hardy. He has his own collection but also designs for Balenciaga. His shoes are amazing and utter masterpieces. He is brilliant!! I also love designers such as Beth and Herbert Levine, Jan Jansen, Andrea Pfister, and of course Ferragamo. They were ahead of their time. Their shoes have a modern, fresh feel to them even though they were made 50 plus years ago.
AG: What are your favorite shoes to design, and what’s your favorite shoe you’ve designed so far?
KK: My favorite shoes to design are sandals. The construction is less complicated and you can really add a lot of embellishments and ornaments to add character and balance to the design.
But I’d have to say my favorite pair are my ‘Gold Minx’ Mary Janes (at left). They are the first pair I made, the most unique, and the pair that made me realize that I can be successful at something I love. So they constantly remind me how far I’ve come and the accomplishments I’ve had so far but also that I need to keep working hard.
AG: What is your design inspiration?
KK: In general I draw inspiration for my designs from a number of things – nature, art, people, old movies, vintage pieces, leather and fabrics. I like to see the beauty in things so it’s easier for me to be enthused by just about anything.
AG: Where do you get your materials?
KK: I get most of the materials that I use from New York. They are mainly imported from Italy and of very high quality. I like to use exotic and bold leathers which are much easier to find in NYC. The Boston area was once a giant in the footwear industry but unfortunately very few resources remain here. So I travel to NYC at least once or twice a month to stock up on supplies and buy new leathers and decorations for my upcoming collections.
AG: What is your ultimate goal as a designer?
KK: I want to be successful but more importantly my ultimate goal is to offer a wonderfully unique shoe for women; a shoe that reflects a lighthearted approach to fashion and life. My designs reflect fun and happiness and I want my shoes to add a bit of both to a women’s life. So when she put them on, she can’t help but smile and have a great day.
AG: Where can we find your designs?
KK: My designs can be found on my website – www.kristinakozak.com. I am currently accepting custom orders so anyone interested in purchasing my shoes can contact me directly at info@kristinakozak.com.
I’m expanding my line so by Spring or Fall 2008 I will be carried in quality boutiques like Stel’s on Newbury Street in Boston. I am also evaluating other upscale boutiques in markets such as NYC, Nantucket, Philadelphia, etc.
