Debra Meltzer

Assistant Designer - Children's
Payless ShoeSource

Debra Meltzer’s many career experiments always had something to do with whimsy and children. She wrote about them as an English major. As a stand-up comedian, she told jokes about them. And when her sister got pregnant, she made clothes for them. But she didn’t start turning this theme into a career until a full decade after her first college foray. She signed up for a handbag design class at the Fashion Institute of Technology as an outlet for her sewing interest. She fell in love with the process and ended up pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accessory design. The Payless Design Center took her on as an intern in 2007, and she became a full-time assistant designer in 2008. Now, her passion for children is on display by tiny little feet around the world. (Check out her Blue’s Clues™ slippers next time you go shopping!)

“There are so many opportunities in this organization. The Design Center office is very welcoming, and everyone’s interested in both teaching you and discovering what you can contribute. It’s a great environment.”