In 1990, with $1,100 in his bank account, Steve Madden started designing shoes with his name on them. Now that company sells more than $1 billion in merchandise annually in 60 countries. When Madden visited FIT on April 12, to be interviewed by Amy Levin, founder and creative director of CollegeFashionista.com, students lined up hours in advance and filled every seat in the Katie Murphy Amphitheatre.
Madden, wearing his trademark baseball cap, discussed his influences and dispensed uncensored advice to his enthusiastic fans. Here are a few audience favorites.
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He encouraged budding designers to learn the art of sales and marketing. “My talent isn’t just design, it’s business. If you want to make a lot of money, it’s important to have both—unless you’re fabulously brilliant.”
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He takes inspiration from gangsta rappers, and was proud of his collaboration with Ja Rule. “These guys were really plugged into the art and money thing. I get where they’re going: the more money, the more art.”
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Though his brand has forged solid connections on social media, Madden doesn’t use his personal accounts. “It’s good for our brand,” he said, “but it’s not for me.”
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Prison was a learning experience. He served 31 months for fiscal wrongdoing (as depicted in The Wolf of Wall Street), beginning in 2002. “I got wiser—and I got inspired.”
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His favorite shoe designers? Gianvito Rossi and Christian Louboutin.
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Madden surrounds himself with young people to stay relevant: “There are influences out there you can’t get unless you’re young.”
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A final bit of wisdom: “If you really love what you do, you’ll figure out a way to succeed.”