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Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Campus

Media Credit: Krista Nielson SLCC student to see boot design come to life by famous shoe designer, Steve Madden.

Krista Nielson, SLCC Fashion Institute student, designed a "fun, flirty and sexy" red patent leather boot called "Krista" for the nationwide Steve Madden Shoe Design Contest. Madden chose a total of five finalists, and Nielson's boot was one of them.

The Steve Madden Shoe Design Contest was called the "Art + Sole Competition" Madden wanted anyone interested to design his next fall shoe. The grand prize winner was decided by online voting. The online voting went from June 20 through July 2 and the winner was announced on July 9. The grand prize is an all-expense-paid trip to New York, the opportunity to spend a day with Madden, a $500 shoe gift certificate and the shoe will be named after the designer. The shoes will be sold online and in his stores.

The online contest votes were really close between Nielson's design and another competitor's. The votes had to be recounted. Nielson ended up the runner-up in the Steve Madden Shoe Design Contest.

But Nielson's boot became so popular that Madden decided to produce it, too. He is also giving Nielson the same prizes as the grand prize winner. The only difference is that she received a $250 shoe gift certificate instead of the $500.

"I really lucked out because when you read the contest rules, the four that don't win all they [are] supposed to get is a $250 shoe gift certificate," said Nielson. "It was a big win for me."

Nielson found out about the contest when she was buying shoes at one of his stores in Las Vegas.

"They had a list to sign up for e-mail specials," said Nielson. "A few days later, I got one of his mass e-mails [saying] these shoes are on special.

"That's when I saw the advertisement 'Design Steve's Next Shoe.'"

Nielson, 44, is a mother of four kids and four step children. She is currently pursuing a Fashion Institute Certificate. She has been sewing since she was a little girl. Her first time in college, she earned her business degree. She worked in the stock market for 15 years. After retiring from the stock market, she was a stay-at-home mom for five years.

Nielson's inspiration to be in the fashion industry began when she was looking for dresses for herself in anticipation of her two step sons' weddings last year. During the search, she ended up modifying the two dresses she bought to fit her personality and style.

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