Yet another mystery still stands: where does the name Slinky, Sonar and Bubba come from? Kimberlee told me there is no real meaning behind his designs' names. "This shoe is called the Maya"and this one with the same bottom is called the May." So similar style shoes have similar, but different names. Steve's classic sneaker, called the Bobbie, has a twin with a higher platform, called the Bubba.

While on the subject of platforms, I asked Kimberlee and Elissa what shoe design put Steve Madden on the map. They said that there wasn't one single design, rather, it was the fact that Steve was responsible for bringing the platform back into style. Platforms reawoke shoe fashion.

I certainly love the platform, and my mom certainly used to. Yet, "Steve Madden is growing up a bit" for the Spring 2000 line. "His platforms are smaller," Kimberlee told me, "and there are a lot of thong sandals this spring, too." As for the red Chinese print bottom thongs, I can't wait until they come in the stores.

My 40-year-old kickboxing instructor can't wait to add some to her collection too. Wait a minute. Aren't Steve Maddens targeted at teens? Apparently no. "There are shoes for teenagers and shoes for older women," the girls said. However, Steve Madden doesn't think about age groups while he's designing shoes. Rather, he just creates what he thinks is cool, and whoever likes it, likes it!

So, this guy is a genius, but how? "What inspired him?" I ask. "Why women's shoes?" The responses are simple: "Steve worked as a stock boy in a women's shoe store. It might have been different had he been working in a men's store," said Elissa. Well, what currently inspires Steve to create new designs? It's actually anything, really. Especially music. Steve is very inspired by music.

As we wrapped up the interview, I had one last question: what is your advice for girls who would like to have a job in the fashion world? "Be persistent" follow your heart," Elissa said. So basically, the Steve Madden family is filled with passion, and the only way to succeed is to fill yourself with passion.

The great vibe was only increased when all of us from TeenSpeak received goodie bags, containing silver cases filled with mints, inflatable photo frames, and a shoe keychain, which has found its way onto my backpack. As for Steve's upcoming designs"I have only 6 words: girls, start saving your money now!