Radwear by
We are thrilled to have Kristin Radakovits and her beautiful leather designs at our 13th Anniversary fashion bonanza! I met Kristin at Rumpus in the Park at City Park where she had a booth set up with her amazing designs. She was one of the most colorful people at this already colorful event! She has been recovering from a pretty major ankle surgery and is finally ready to get back to to life at full speed! We are honored to have Kristin in our market!
What was your first memory of fashion inspiration that you can remember?
When I was a little kid I used to watch the show Punky Brewster about the young girl who was abandoned by her parents and later adopted. She was unconventional and definitely her own person when it came to style. She wore bright primary colors, her hair in pigtails and often wore different colored socks with only one leg rolled up tied with funky bandanas and wore lots of layers of clothes. I remember loving how she came up with her own original style at the early age of 8, the same age I was, and I too wanted to be “Punky” or “Funky” in my own style.
What motivated you to start your own fashion business?
I have always loved music and art festivals while wearing interesting accessories to add to the self expression found there. I started noticing however that I couldn’t find a shop at a festival that had the kind of items I liked to wear, including the pocket belts I had started making to help me carry my things. While wearing these belts many people began asking me to make them and these belts soon evolved into detailed custom leather pieces to help people enjoy a festival and everyday life with style as well as the freedom of open hands.
Tell us one of your fashion icons or designer influences?
One of my designer influences is a woman by the name of Kelsey Fairey out of British Columbia. I met her in my early 20s before I had learned to sew and she was selling her hats and burlesque style clothes at a Colorado Festival. I put on a tuxedo tail coat made by her out of scrap material, an old doily and antique buttons. I immediately bought it, as well as a matching twisty wizard hat despite the fact that I had to use my rent money. I loved her way of using recycled clothing to make something uniquely new and decided to learn to sew that day.
What inspires your designs?
My designs are inspired by functionality yet I try to put the “fun” in functionality. This fun and inspiration is often found while shopping for treasure in the aisles of a thrift store. It is there I find inspirational leathers or belt closure designs and think of ways to add stones, accessories, rivets and vintage buckles to make each belt as original and one of the kind as the person who wears it.
What are your thoughts about the fashion industry here in Denver?
Since Denver is growing everyday by people moving here from all walks of life the fashion industry here is becoming an open minded melting pot that has a future capable of staying versatile and ever changing.
What is one of your favorite pieces that you have ever designed and why?
One of my favorite pieces I have ever designed is a handmade black and white striped coat in which I attached a red leather heart with a zipper on it’s sleeve. In this heart I keep “food for thought,” such as poems or fortunes that inspire your heart and mind. I love to wear it because it is functional yet a great conversation starter when I ask, “Would you like a poem out of the heart on my sleeve?”
3 Things if stranded on an island?
- One of my Radwear Pocket Belts so I could carry and tie on stuff while using my hands to build.
- A roll of very long rainbow twine.
- A long and sharp needle to sew leaves and bark together.
Find Kristin at http://www.radwear.com/ and come by her booth on June 16th!