Celebrating Women’s History Month: Interview With Tiffany Thompson

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Interview With Tiffany Thompson

The renowned interior designer spoke to us about her journey from Nike to her own design business, who inspires her, and of course, her favorite sneakers.

Zack Schlemmer

As part of our celebration for Women’s History Month, we’re delighted to speak to Tiffany Thompson, an interior designer based in Portland, Oregon. If you take one look at her work, it will go without saying that Tiffany is a talented designer, and that you’d love her to design your dream home, too.

But her super clean, luxurious aesthetic and success didn’t happen overnight. Like all successful artists and entrepreneurs, it took years of hard work and some leaps of faith to get to where she is today. Tiffany had a 10-year career at Nike, which she started right after graduating college. Despite her success with the brand, she decided it wasn’t enough for her personal growth. She needed more. And she made the decision to do her own thing, pursuing her passion for interior design. Our interview below details her journey. And don’t worry, we get in some sneaker talk, as well.

Hi Tiffany. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with us. Let’s just start with introducing yourself. What do you want our readers to know about Tiffany Thompson?

Well, that’s a way to start off the questions. I think what you’ll find out is my story isn’t much different than anyone else's. I’ve been extremely blessed to be able to do what I love and am passionate about for a living, which is Interior Design, but it took me some time to figure out this was what I was put here to do.

You worked at Nike for about 10 years correct? What exactly did you do there, and what made you want to switch career paths?

I actually was hired by Nike Inc as soon as I graduated from college when I was 22. They hired me to work out of their Chicago office and I spent 10 years fostering my then-dream with that company in Chicago, New York and then Portland. I had a variety of positions from Influencer Marketing, EKIN and Global Product Design in both Tennis Apparel, ACG and Solar, and then my last role was in a Global Footwear Product team for Women’s Sportswear. That’s a lot, but in a short amount of words, my job was to create phenomenal footwear for women that looked like me across the world.

I had an incredible journey at Nike. I was one of four black women to be in my role across the company, I was able to open doors and push the creativity so women felt like they were being heard in the sneaker industry. I think ultimately, it came to a point where I had to ask myself, “Could I do this for the rest of my life and feel fulfilled?”

And the answer to that question was no.

I couldn’t live out someone else’s dream and not put the same energy into my own dream. I felt like it was a chapter that needed to close. Luckily, we both recognized that and my next chapter began.

How has working in the sneaker industry influenced you, or what has it taught you, about the field of interior design?

There’s so many parallels in fashion and interior design. The ability to have a vision for the future is one that stands out to me. My job is to create timeless designs and interiors that appreciate over time but still have their moment in history. I feel like sneaker design in the same way. People have coveted designs and pairs that they cherish are appreciated long after the initial release, like Air Jordan 1s.

I also believe that design in general is based on emotions. Great design can make you feel a desired response. It’s a connector to being the best version of yourself.

If you could do interior design for anybody, who would it be? Past or present, alive or dead? Pick anybody!

I say this in every interview. Rihanna. I’m drawn to people that take chances and want to push the boundaries for aesthetics. I also feel like my aesthetic is grounded in calm and imperfection and she’s built companies that showcases that there is beauty in being yourself.

What other individuals, artists, musicians, or other creatives do you draw inspiration from for your own work and aesthetic?

Axel Vervoodt is my favorite designer and collector of all time. He is a Belgian designer that has designed the homes of Kanye, Calvin Klein, Robert De Niro. He’s a collector first and he’s super intentional about how he brings vintage finds and decor together. It’s all very purposeful and beautiful even though some of the objects may appear old and trash in someone else’s eyes. He brings humility into his work and I value that so much.

I also am really drawn to art and it’s a staple for how I bring my aesthetics together. Art is a conversation. It should be a reflection of the owner and an insight into how they think, how they are inspired and how they ultimately feel connected to the world. My favorite artist is Julian Gaines, he’s an artist from Chicago who paints in mixed mediums, black stories of those that the world may have forgotten through their tragedies. He also happens to be my boyfriend.

There’s also a pair of makers from Canada, who I love. Oda and King. They are a husband and wife duo that creates sculptural pieces and utilitarian objects that have beauty and purpose. They make these handmade stone sinks and plaster sculptures that are striking. I appreciate anyone who works with their hands. That’s not easy.

Do you think you’ll stay in the design field for the rest of your career, or are there other passions you’d eventually like to pursue?

I’ll be a designer for the rest of my life. I always was one, I just didn’t know how to define it. Home is special to me. I heard once that, designing the interior of a home for a client is seeing a future for them that they may not recognize yet. You are creating a space based on who they will become, not who they are now. That’s powerful. I can’t ever walk away from that. I do hope to also design some commercial hotels and create furniture and own a retail store in the future.

Since it’s Women’s History Month, what are some women-owned businesses and/or brands that you’re excited about right now?

I like GIYEA - it’s a timeless fashion brand based in Los Angeles. Local European, is owned by my friend Alex, also out in LA. It’s a brand that I've seen Alex grow and take to new heights and it’s crazy seeing all of the girls wearing her designs now.

Spartan Shop is an interior decor store in Portland. She is incredible and always has insane independent designers that she sources for the shop. Lastly, I love TA New York. It’s a retail store, owned by Telsha Anderson. It’s in the meatpacking district and it’s such a cool concept store. She also is really good about supporting up-and-coming fashion brands.

And since this is Stadium Goods, let’s talk sneakers! What are your top three favorite sneakers of all time?

Top 3 in no order is:

Nike Spiridon - Selfishly when I worked at Nike, We brought them back from DNA and we redid them and I’m obsessed.

Juworkingonprojects x Nike Sky Force - Julian had a collaboration with Nike in 2018 and the F+F Avocado Pair are insane!

Nike Aqua Rift - Another shameless plug. These were a play off of the OG Air Rift that we made and they are an updated classic. Great for the summer.

What advice would you give to somebody wanting to pursue a career where they can be their own boss? And more specifically, a woman who wants to be her own boss?

This shit isn’t easy but it’s worth it. Being able to wake up every day and pursue the thing I love is priceless. I think it’s important to have an honest conversation with yourself especially if you are thinking of leaving a full time job to pursue being an entrepreneur.

Don’t settle because it’s comfortable. We weren’t put on this earth to be mediocre. The only way to go after that dream you have is to just start. I always post this on my timeline every Monday. It’s a gif of Bugs Bunny at the start line of a race. He’s gearing up to go and it's just a reminder that starting sometimes is the hardest part but a lot of people won’t even do that.

Last bit of advice is something that stuck with me for years after a conversation with someone. Nipsey [Hussle] would talk about how it’s a marathon, not a race and I think people understand that concept but also they should understand that “marathons have hills.” The hills are a part of the process. Remember that.

Any final thoughts or shout outs you’d like to send? And where can our readers follow your work?

Thank you for taking the time to speak to me. Although I'm not in the industry anymore, sneakers still play a major part in my career. From who I work with and creating closets that celebrate their prized sneaker collections or being really thoughtful of being on a job site and picking what sneakers to wear that day. That community doesn’t go away.

You can check out my work on my website www.duettinteriors.com or follow me on Instagram and Pinterest at @theplantmami.

All photos courtesy of Tiffany Thompson