5 Minutes With Amanda Gerdes - DKNY Footwear Designer
During our DKNY Special, we caught up with their footwear designer Amanda Gerdes to find out all about her role at the fashion house
What shoes are you currently wearing?
I am currently wearing a collaboration shoe from Bensimon and DKNY. Its a plimsole sneaker :) Very cute..
What was the first pair of shoes you owned that you can remember?
The first pair of shoes that I remember wearing was Red patent leather mary janes.. I was no more than 4. I loved them and wanted to wear them everywhere.
Why do you love New York? How does the fashion differ from the UK?
I love New York. I was born and raised here. I grew up in Queens and Rockland County. Rockland is a small county North of NewJersey and is located on the Hudson River. I love the hustle and bustle of New York. I love the fact that it is a melting pot of eclecticism and hi energy. People of different cultures coming together to create everything you can think of is what makes it so fun. Fashion in NY seems very easy. I am not sure about the UK since I have never been there, but here Fashion has a strong sense of Street vibe injected into it. When I say street, I mean the trickle up effect instead of the trickle down. It seems in NY, most trends start at the street instead of at the Catwalk. When you hop on the subway, you are bound to run into some amazing personalities. Its just part of daily life here.
Do any of your design’s have a story to tell?
My designs do have a story. If they are designs that are just for my own sketchbook, I tend to be very elaborate about who is wearing my designs.
If they are for DKNY, I tend to stick with who the DKNY girl is and then I add to her personality by saying she is going here or there and she wants to look this way. She is always a cool sexy girl. She does not try too hard to look good. It just happens naturally.
What is your day to day role at DKNY?
My day to day role starts at home as a Mom, wife, sister and best friend. My husband and I have a 2 year old Daughter who is our pride and joy. Then I usually check emails while commuting to the city. When I get to the office, I make my to do list and then I start checking it off as I complete each task. Sketching is my favorite part of the day, so I tend to do thumbnails whenever I can! Thumbnails are just little tiny sketches that I sometimes do in my sketchbook or notebook. Throughout the day, there are usually lots of meetings with upper management and other divisions. What I really love about this office is the social interactions that I have with designers in Knitwear, Ready To Wear and various other divisions.. I love working in an environment where its not just about shoes. Its about a lifestyle.
Where does your inspiration come from?
The inspiration comes from literally everywhere! Books, magazines, intuition, catwalks, inspiration boards from other divisions --- etc.. I love looking at blogs and also just walking the streets of NY. There's so much to see!!
Here are just a few of Amanda's sketches straight from the DKNY Headquarters...
