# Nik Kacy

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{{short description|American fashion designer}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = NiK Kacy
| image         = NiK_Kacy_Portrait.jpg
| alt           = Portrait of Nik Kacy
| caption       = NiK Kacy in 2016
| birth_name    = 
| birth_date    = 1975
| birth_place   = Hong Kong
| occupation    = Executive producer, fashion designer, entrepreneur, activist
| known_for     = Founder of NiK Kacy Footwear, creator of Equality Fashion Week
| website       = {{URL|https://www.nikkacy.com}}<br/>{{URL|https://www.equalityfashionweek.com}}
}}

'''Nik Kacy''', stylized as '''NiK Kacy''' (born 1975) is an executive producer, fashion designer,<ref name="auto7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/la-ig-equality-fashion-week-20181009-story.html|title=At Equality Fashion Week, six LGBTQ+ designers put style in all its many forms on display|first=Leigh-Ann|last=Jackson|website=nydailynews.com|date=9 October 2018 }}</ref> founder of NiK Kacy Footwear, the first genderequal footwear and accessories brand, creator of Equality Fashion Week,<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/fashion/la-ig-trans-pride-los-angeles-20190618-story.html|title=Our Lady J, Grey Crouch and Nik Kacy celebrate during L.A.'s Trans Pride event|date=June 18, 2019|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dapperq.com/2018/09/nik-kacy-launches-inaugural-equality-fashion-week-in-los-angeles/|title=NiK Kacy Launches Inaugural "Equality Fashion Week" in Los Angeles|first=Anita Dolce|last=Vita|date=September 25, 2018|website=dapperQ &#124; Queer Style}}</ref> former board member of the Los Angeles LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and part of the Trans Inclusion Task Force for the [National LGBT Chamber of Commerce](/source/National_LGBT_Chamber_of_Commerce).<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbasummit2019.com/creating-influence-panel|title=CREATING-INFLUENCE-PANEL|website=wba-summit-2019|access-date=2020-01-27|archive-date=2020-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127235656/https://www.wbasummit2019.com/creating-influence-panel|url-status=dead}}</ref> In September 2019, [Wells Fargo](/source/Wells_Fargo) featured Kacy on their ''Empowerful Exchange'' video series.<ref name="auto13">{{Cite web|url=https://welcome.wf.com/empowerful/|title=Empowerful &#124; Redefining what's possible|website=welcome.wf.com}}</ref> In 2017 and 2019, Kacy's gender-free fashion approach was discussed in two scholarly articles,<ref name="auto14">{{Cite journal|url=https://read.dukeupress.edu/tsq/article-abstract/4/1/28/13244/Capital-TTrans-Visibility-Corporate-Capitalism-and|title=Capital TTrans Visibility, Corporate Capitalism, and Commodity Culture|first=Emmanuel|last=David|date=February 1, 2017|journal=TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly|volume=4|issue=1|pages=28–44|via=read.dukeupress.edu|doi=10.1215/23289252-3711517|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="auto9">{{Cite journal|title=Queer Fashion and Style: Stories from the Heartland|first=Sara|last=Marcketti|date=July 3, 2019|journal=Dress|volume=45|issue=2|pages=213–216|doi=10.1080/03612112.2019.1631003|s2cid=202535194}}</ref> and in 2020, in the book ''Crossing Gender Boundaries: Fashion to Create, Disrupt, and Transcend''.<ref name="auto11">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CxbGDwAAQBAJ&q=%22Nik+Kacy%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT142|title=Crossing Gender Boundaries: Fashion to Create, Disrupt and Transcend|first1=Andrew|last1=Reilly|first2=Ben|last2=Barry|date=January 15, 2020|publisher=Intellect Books|isbn=9781789381153|via=Google Books}}</ref> Kacy is a trans-masculine gender-nonbinary person and uses the pronouns ''they/them/their''.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2019-10-16/unity-equality-fashion-week-show-brings-together-fashion-and-celebrates-lgbtq-designers-and-brands|title=Unity: Equality Fashion Week celebrates inclusive brands and LGBTQ designers|date=October 16, 2019|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://qvoicenews.com/2018/09/20/equality-fashion-week-showcasing-l-as-queer-fashion-coming-in-october/|title=Equality Fashion Week, showcasing L.A's queer fashion, coming in October|first=Lauren|last=Torres|date=September 20, 2018|website=Q Voice News}}</ref>

==Early life==
Kacy was born in [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong) and immigrated to [New York City](/source/New_York_City) at age seven.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://cultursmag.com/nik-kacys-intersectionality-transforms-the-fashion-world/|title=Nik Kacy's Intersectionality Transforms the Fashion World|date=May 31, 2019}}</ref> From a young age, Kacy knew they wanted to create shoes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/follow-your-arrow-building-a-gender-neutral-footwear-brand-from-the-ground-up-300380/|title=Follow Your Arrow: Building a Gender-Neutral Footwear Brand from the Ground Up|date=July 30, 2015|website=Autostraddle}}</ref> They were bullied in school and experienced their parents' divorce as traumatic.<ref name="auto3"/> Due to the intensity of bullying they experienced, they were faced with the "horrible predicament" of becoming "a bully in order to survive", (''[Queery](/source/Queery)'' podcast, 54:10) yet was simultaneously "very depressed" and "suicidal", often wishing they had not been born. (''All Things Therapy'' podcast, 29:40) It was after a home invasion, during which Kacy and Kacy's grandparents had guns and machetes pointed at them, that Kacy realized they never again wanted to "make someone else feel like a victim". (''[Queery](/source/Queery)'' podcast, 56:28) Thereafter, Kacy stopped bullying others and instead began breaking up fights among peers, "inspired to be somebody who was more of a peacemaker". (''[Queery](/source/Queery)'' podcast, 57:03) Helping the transition, a family friend, who became Kacy's stepfather, had helped the family pay for Kacy to attend a [Catholic](/source/Catholic) high school in [New Jersey](/source/New_Jersey). The change in environment was helpful, as previously Kacy was witness to gang violence at their New York schools.

===Identity===
Kacy knew they were born in the wrong body from a very young age (''[Queery](/source/Queery)'' podcast, 11:39). They would initially identify as gay or lesbian (''[Queery](/source/Queery)'' podcast, 14:46) and had their first queer relationship in college.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.wehoville.com/2017/09/28/nik-kacy-transcending-gender-discover-ones-true-self/ |last=Kacy |first=NiK| title=NiK Kacy: Transcending Gender to Discover One's True Self |publisher=WEHOville |date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605125532/https://www.wehoville.com/2017/09/28/nik-kacy-transcending-gender-discover-ones-true-self/ |archive-date=2020-06-05 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was later that they had the realization that they wanted to transition to a male-presenting body with the help of testosterone hormone therapy. They were finally able to achieve the hormone aspect of the process while an employee at Google.<ref name="auto1"/> They were then able to complete their transition by way of various surgeries in their late 30s, after quitting their Google job to start their shoe business.

==Education==
Kacy attended grade schools in New York and New Jersey. They majored in fine art and advertising and minored in international relations at Pepperdine University,<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web | title=NiK Kacy Footwear Founder Tells How They Found Their Voice | date=28 May 2023 | url=https://queerency.com/2023/05/28/nik-kacy-tells-how-they-found-their-voice/ }}</ref> and it was in those years that they first came out as queer, incidentally during a [truth or dare](/source/truth_or_dare) game with friends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/news/where-i-found-acceptance-in-l-a-060119|title=Locals on when they first felt accepted in L.A.|website=Time Out Los Angeles|date=4 June 2019 }}</ref> They graduated in 1997. (''All Things Therapy'' podcast, 3:29)

==Career==
Prior to entering the fashion world, Kacy worked as a producer and project manager at [Google](/source/Google),<ref name="auto15">{{Cite web|url=http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-nik-kacy-nik-kacy-footwear-mid-city/|title=Meet NiK Kacy of NiK Kacy Footwear - Voyage LA Magazine &#124; LA City Guide|first=Local|last=Stories}}</ref> creating online branded engagement programs, such as livestreams, and conceptualizing novel ways for consumers to engage with Google platforms. (''[Queery](/source/Queery)'' podcast, 26:44) They left their post in 2013 to pursue shoe design.<ref name="auto1"/>

===NiK Kacy Footwear===
NiK Kacy Footwear was founded in 2013. (''Coming Out with Lauren & Nicole'' podcast, 1:52) For initial funding, Kacy turned to [Kickstarter](/source/Kickstarter),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nik-kacy-kickstarter_n_6752480|title=One Of The First Queer-Centric, Gender-Neutral Footwear Lines Is Here|first=James Michael|last=Nichols|date=February 25, 2015|website=HuffPost}}</ref> raising $6,000 of their $36,000 goal in a single day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2015/02/82757/nik-kacy-gender-equal-footwear-launch|title=This Is What "Gender-Equal" Footwear Looks Like|first=Liza|last=Darwin|website=www.refinery29.com}}</ref> The company's goal was to create “genderequal luxury shoes and accessories that are handcrafted, high-quality, utility products”. The company creates footwear and accessories with genderequal sizing and styles,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/best-gifts-for-your-transgender-loved-ones|title=18 Gifts That Your Transgender BFF Will Love|website=Teen Vogue|date=10 December 2019}}</ref> which Kacy believes eliminates the need for differentiation between men's and women's styles, instead placing the focus on the consumer's personal taste, rather than the manufacturer's tastes for two genders. Kacy traveled through 12 European cities<ref name="auto10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dapperq.com/2015/02/nik-kacy-first-gender-equal-luxury-footwear-line/|title=NiK Kacy: The First Gender-Equal Luxury Footwear Line|first=Natalie Yvette|last=Coblentz|date=February 23, 2015|website=dapperQ &#124; Queer Style}}</ref> to learn the contours of the shoe-making industry,<ref name="auto15"/> accumulating knowledge from traditional workshops in [Italy](/source/Italy) and elsewhere before creating his own methodology in a slight departure from traditional craftsmanship. Manufacture took place in [Portugal](/source/Portugal) and as of 2019 takes place in artisan ateliers in [Leon, Mexico](/source/Leon%2C_Mexico).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nikkacy.com/collections/destiny|title=NiK Kacy Destiny Collection of Gender Neutral Shoes|website=NiK Kacy}}</ref> Some of the Kacy Footwear aesthetic inspiration derives from [Calvin Klein](/source/Calvin_Klein), [John Varvatos](/source/John_Varvatos), [Alexander McQueen](/source/Alexander_McQueen), [Tom Ford](/source/Tom_Ford), and [Kenneth Cole](/source/Kenneth_Cole_(designer)).<ref name="auto10"/>

===Equality Fashion Week===
Equality Fashion Week is an annual multi-day event,<ref name="auto"/> held during [Los Angeles Fashion Week](/source/Los_Angeles_Fashion_Week), that features the work of LGBTQIA+ fashion designers by way of runway shows and pop-up shops. The event has featured designs by [Sharpe Suiting](/source/Sharpe_Suiting),  Lior Boroda, Fem/Haus, Dapper Boi, and has been sponsored by the [Los Angeles LGBT Center](/source/Los_Angeles_LGBT_Center), [Outfest](/source/Outfest), and the TransLatina Coalition.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/fashion/la-ig-equality-fashion-week-20181009-story.html|title=At Equality Fashion Week, six LGBTQ+ designers put style in all its many forms on display|date=October 10, 2018|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>

The inaugural Equality Fashion Week's opening night took place in 2018 at the Montrose West Hollywood Hotel.<ref name="auto2"/> Six LGBT designers were represented.<ref name="auto7"/> The entirety of the event was held over the course of five days.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autostraddle.com/all-the-queers-were-equally-hot-at-los-angeles-first-equality-fashion-week-435065/|title=PHOTOESSAY: All The Queers Were Equally Hot at Los Angeles' First "Equality Fashion Week"|date=October 9, 2018|website=Autostraddle}}</ref> Trans activist and model [Carmen Carrera](/source/Carmen_Carrera) presided over the festivities.<ref name="auto2"/><ref name="auto4" />

In 2019, Equality Fashion Week took place, before a sold-out crowd, at the [Globe Theatre](/source/Globe_Theatre). The event featured 110-115 models, 37 dancers, five hosts, live musicians, and a DJ.<ref name="auto5"/>

===Advocacy===
*In March 2019, Kacy was a featured speaker at the WBA LGBT Economic Summit & Conference.<ref name="auto8"/>
*In June 2019, Kacy appeared on the panel "Non-Binary and Genderqueer: A New Awareness of Gender Identities" during [Los Angeles Pride](/source/Los_Angeles_Pride)'s Trans Pride festivities.<ref name="auto6"/> 
*Kacy has been a youth mentor at the Models of Pride Conference, offering their counsel during Ask Anything: Queer Open Office Hours.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://modelsofpride.org/youth-track|title=Youth Track|website=modelsofpride.org}}</ref>
*NIk Kacy Footwear raises funds for Los Angeles’ [TransLatina Coalition](/source/TransLatina_Coalition), an organization that advocates for trans individuals who are immigrants to the [United States](/source/United_States).<ref name="auto3"/>
*In June 2017, the ''[Advocate](/source/The_Advocate_(LGBT_magazine))'' selected Kacy to honor [Laverne Cox](/source/Laverne_Cox) for their 50 Years, 50 Heroes video series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/advocate50/2017/6/06/50-years-50-heroes-nik-kacy-honors-laverne-cox|title=50 Years, 50 Heroes: NiK Kacy Honors Laverne Cox|date=June 6, 2017|website=www.advocate.com}}</ref>

==Honors and recognition==
*In 2020, Kacy's gender-free fashion approach was analyzed in the book ''Crossing Gender Boundaries: Fashion to Create, Disrupt, and Transcend''.<ref name="auto11"/>
*In September 2019, [Wells Fargo](/source/Wells_Fargo) featured Kacy on their ''Empowerful Exchange'' series; [Jordin Sparks](/source/Jordin_Sparks) and Amber Whittington interviewed Kacy about Kacy's entrepreneurship and disruption of gendered fashion.<ref name="auto13"/>
*In August 2019, Kacy's gender-free fashion approach was discussed in the scholarly work ''Queer Fashion and Style: Stories from the Heartland'', The Journal of the Costume Society of America, [Iowa State University](/source/Iowa_State_University), Sara Marcketti PhD.<ref name="auto9"/>  
*In 2017, Kacy's gender-free fashion approach was discussed in the scholarly article ''Capital T: Trans Visibility, Corporate Capitalism, and Commodity Culture''; [Duke University Press](/source/Duke_University_Press); Emmanuel David, PhD.<ref name="auto14"/>

==Podcasts==
{| class="wikitable"
! Date
! Title
! Episode
|-
|2019
|''Cameron Airen''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cameronairen.com/podcast/2017/2/15/nik-kacy|title=Cameron Airen, Feminist Coach, Gender Consultant, Feminist Mentor|website=Cameron Airen|access-date=2020-01-06|archive-date=2019-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014192308/https://cameronairen.com/podcast/2017/2/15/nik-kacy|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|"NiK Kacy: Revolutionizing Gender & Fashion, Gender Equal Footwear, Moving Beyond The Binary"
|-
|2019
|''Coming Out with Lauren & Nicole''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/coming-out-with/episode-57-nik-kacy-eGBROFofbSX/|title=Episode 57: NiK Kacy - Coming Out with Lauren & Nicole (podcast)|website=Listen Notes |date=17 July 2019 }}</ref>
|Episode 57
|-
|2018
|''The Advocates''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2018/7/10/advocates-podcast-nik-kacy-why-we-need-gender-equal-fashion|title='The Advocates' Podcast: NiK Kacy on Why We Need Gender-Equal Fashion|date=July 10, 2018|website=www.advocate.com}}</ref>
|"NiK Kacy Kicks Down Gender Expectations"
|-
|2018
|''[Queery](/source/Queery)''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.earwolf.com/episode/nik-kacy/|title=Nik Kacy, episode #56 of Queery with Cameron Esposito on Earwolf|website=www.earwolf.com}}</ref>
|Episode 56
|-
|2017
|''The Out Entrepreneur with Rhodes Perry''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rhodesperry.com/podcast/episode040|title=040: Step Away from Limiting Beliefs and Commit to Your Business Dreams with Nik Kacy, Founder of Nik Kacy Footwear|website=Rhodes Perry Consulting|access-date=2020-01-06|archive-date=2019-10-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014022348/https://www.rhodesperry.com/podcast/episode040|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|"Step Away from Limiting Beliefs and Commit to Your Business Dreams with Nik Kacy, Founder of Nik Kacy Footwear"
|-
|2017
|''All Things Therapy''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oEFKcfCHsMNi1VirdINlO|title=NiK Kacy - All Things Therapy|via=open.spotify.com}}</ref>
|"NiK Kacy"
|-
|2017
|''Feminist Crush''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://feministcrush.libsyn.com/size/25/?search=Nik+Kacy|title=Feminist Crush|website=feministcrush.libsyn.com}}</ref>
|"Nik Kacy"
|-
|2017
|''LGBTQ&A''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nik-kacy-embracing-absence-gender-beginning-shoes/id1151561226?i=1000382769690|title=LGBTQ&A: NiK Kacy: Embracing the Absence of Gender…Beginning with Shoes on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts}}</ref>
|"NiK Kacy: Embracing the Absence of Gender...Beginning with Shoes"
|-
|}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
! Date
! Title
! Episode
|-
|Oct. 10, 2019
|Indie Source<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indiesource.com/nik-kacy-invites-you-to-las-lgbt-equality-fashion-week/|title=NiK Kacy invites YOU to LA's LGBT Equality Fashion Week|work=Indie Source |date=October 10, 2019}}</ref>
|"L.A.'s ONLY LGBT Fashion Show: NIk Kacy Invites YOU to Equality #Fashion Week"
|-
|Oct. 7, 2019
|Jampacked<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSuu_-375vA|title=NiK Kacy (Founder of NiK Kacy Footwear/Creator of Equality Fashion Week)|date=7 October 2019 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|"NiK Kacy (Founder of NiK Kacy Footwear/Creator of Equality Fashion Week)"
|-
|Sept. 2019
|''Empowerful Exchange'' by [Wells Fargo](/source/Wells_Fargo)<ref name="auto13"/>
|"Episode II: Nik Kacy"
|-
|May 29, 2019
|RYOT<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toUEmXKPqsc|title=Nik Kacy Helps LGBTQ People Find Their Comfort Zone in Fashion &#124; Make Now Matter|date=29 May 2015 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
|"Nik Kacy Helps LGBTQ People Find Their Comfort Zone in Fashion"
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Portal bar|LGBTQ}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kacy, NiK}}
Category:Living people
Category:American fashion designers
Category:Transgender non-binary people
Category:LGBTQ fashion designers
Category:LGBTQ people from California
Category:Hong Kong transgender people
Category:Hong Kong non-binary people
Category:Pepperdine University alumni
Category:American LGBTQ people of Asian descent
Category:1975 births

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nik Kacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nik_Kacy) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nik_Kacy?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.