GENDER TRANSCENDENT STYLE

MUST l KNOW

Designer Nik Kacy draws on form, function and a big personality to foster a textured sense of style.

By Donnyale Ambrosine

Naserin Bogado and Tyler Lee Aubrey show us love is love is love.

Photo Credit: J!mmyZ

Fashion and accessory designer Nik Kacy has a message for cultural in-betweeners: Be unapologetically YOU.

Kacy is no stranger to being an outsider because of their many differences. (As a transmasculine individual who identifies as non-binary, the designer uses the pronouns they and them.) Though these specific words don’t fall from their lips, their message is clear and unmistakable:

“Asian, didn’t speak English, immigrant, born in a body I didn’t relate to, lesbian, butch, trans and finally, non-binary and feeling the most ME I’ve ever felt,” Kacy writes in a particularly salient post on Facebook.

NiK Kacy started with a lifelong wish to create shoes for all identities.

Photo Credit: Rob Eaves

Born in Hong Kong, Kacy immigrated to Queens, N.Y., with their family at age 7, and became a U.S. citizen. “Chinese families are very big and we all lived together,” the designer says. Kids made fun because they didn’t speak English. “I knew I was different, but I didn’t know why.”

COMPLICATED CHILDHOOD

Kacy is an only child who weathered storms of parental divorce and other childhood traumas. “Being with neighbors, being with grandparents — constant trials figuring out who am I and what do I want to be? But it made me such a strong person. Everything I’ve put my mind to, I’ve done,” explains Kacy, who believes there are no setbacks; rather lessons from which we learn.

Tyler Lee Aubrey in her Classic Derby NiK Kacy’s.

Photo Credit: J!mmyZ

“Sometimes I’ve been told I’m opinionated, or aggressive or outspoken. And I used to feel bad when called those things because those who called me these things made it seem like it was a bad thing. But now I’ve learned not to care what others think because standing up, shouting out and speaking up can save lives.”

The Grey and Black Dress Boots by NiK Kacy. Photo Credit: J!mmyZ

Every attention to detail is paid in all of Kacy’s designs, from the red welt stitching to the signature Equal sign on all of their products to inspire equality for all.

I’ve learned not to care what others think because standing up, shouting out and speaking up can save lives.

CHANGING THE TIDE

Kacy tells of the time an elementary school bully pushed too far: “I beat this kid with a wiffle ball bat.” Both parties found themselves in the principal’s office, where Kacy, a self-described “principal’s pet,” realized that bullying comes from a place of pain and chose to end the cycle, rather than repeat it. That distinct action caused the two youths to become friends.

“I went from being a victim to not being a victim, but not lowering myself to reciprocating violence with violence,” they impart.

CONFIDENCE VS. ARROGANCE

That specific moment may have changed the course of Kacy’s life. Confusion and victim-hood were replaced by the will to not only stand up for self, but for others. It also may have marked Kacy’s entrance into the world of entrepreneurship. Learning to speak up also meant asking for help, a trait that’s often not accessible to first-generation Americans or people of color, according to Dr. Eric Aoki, an expert in multicultural identity and professor of communication studies at Colorado State University.

Confidently speaking up, however, can have negative consequences when navigating spaces of privilege.

“People with inherent privilege were raised to ask for help. People of color were raised to overcome,” Kacy says. “When I started my business, I had to push myself, ‘I’m going to ask for help from my community, to change the world — ask people to help me change the world.’ People with privilege wouldn’t even think twice about asking.”

Adia Joelle and Mandahla Rose wearing NiK Kacy’s Fortune Collection.

Photo Credit: Vivi Rama

Trauma and growth mindset expert Dr. Paulette Bethel notes, “Being referred to as ‘arrogant’ is a descriptor that has been ascribed to Third Culture Kids (TCKs). There are multiple ways in which this arrogance can be viewed due to the lived experiences and global lifestyles of many TCKs. What may be viewed as arrogance by some is in fact self-confidence and resiliency that comes from learning how to cross-navigate multiple cultures at an early age.”

The new gender-free high heel design by NiK Kacy.

Photo Credit: Ana Karotkaya

Kacy’s experiences only served to make them stronger.

“I stand by the fact that I will never idly stand by if someone is being treated unjustly or disrespected,” Kacy says. “Call me whatever names you want, but I will never not speak up.”

PERSONAL STRUGGLE INSPIRES A BRAND

Kacy’s experiences brought them full circle socially and professionally. They developed NiK Kacy Footwear to

celebrate their outspoken nature and interest in philanthropy. The business is lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) -friendly, and creates gender-neutral footwear and accessories. Kacy hopes to use fashion to promote gender equality, and to provide properly-fitting stylish footwear solutions that underscore authentic self-expression.

Mandahla Rose in NiK Kacy’s Black Dress Boots.

Photo Credit: Vivi Rama

Lee Dawn Hershey in Utility Holster and Brogue Chelsea Boots.

Photo Credit: Rob Eaves

Below: Grey Crouch modeling the Black and Grey Dress Boots.

NiK Kacy

Photo Credit: Ana Karotkaya

The new Combat H8 Boots were inspired by the 50th anniversary of Pride and Stonewall and are an ode to all those who have fought for LGBTQ rights past and present.

Photo Credit: Nik Kacy

When I started my business, I had to push myself, ‘I’m going to ask for help from my community, to change the world — ask people to help me change the world.’

For more information about Nik Kacy designs, visit Cultursmag.com/Nik

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Shop for your own unique style at Nikkacy.com

www.CultursMag.com | Summer 2019