The multi-talented Va$htie Kola has managed to turn her empire of art and entertainment into a lasting brand. To her credit, she now wears many hats including: artist, video director, designer, party promoter, and now full-fledged business woman. With her own sneaker with Nike (she is rocking them in the above photo), and signature Violette brand, Downtown’s Sweetheart is ready for a complete takeover.
Vashtie sat down with Concrete Loop’s Felicia Mancini recently and dished the goods on where she eats and plays in New York and how she has brought the underground to the mainstream, while looking dope at the same time. Keep reading..
FELICIA: How would you describe your look in a word, taste, sound, etc?
VASHTIE: In words: Harmonized Chaos; Hood Derelict meets Suburban Misfit. In taste: Curry Chicken with a glass of Prosecco. In sound: NAS meets BJORK rolled into DEPECHE MODE with a dash of NWA and a pinch of NIRVANA. My look is a balance of opposites; masculine meets feminine, the projects meets the gated community. I grew up in the hood, loved to skateboard and listened to Smashing Pumpkins just as much as Biggie. I’ve been pretty much the same ever since, interested in a mix of opposite worlds – which comes out in my wardrobe. My style is derived from my interests, experiences and memories.
FELICIA: Do you have a first big purchase that sticks out in your head? Doesn’t have to be big in price but something from childhood and beyond that has stuck out in your mind as a really dope find?
VASHTIE:My first big, significant purchase was a pair of Jordan’s that I bought when I was 20 years old. They were specifically the retro Jordan 3′s that I have become famous for. I was in art school at the time and working part-time at a retail store in SOHO, called STUSSY. I remember hearing that the Foot Locker at Astor Place had them and while on break at work I hustled over there to purchase them. I remember the thrill of excitement running through me and simultaneously imagining the outfits I would wear them with.
FELICIA: And now you are designing Jordan’s!
VASHTIE: Growing up, Jordan’s were the equivalent of gold. The only problem was my family never had much money and we could only afford no-name skippies if my older brother and sisters hand-me downs didn’t work (they were 7 and 8 years older than me, so you can imagine how out of style I was). Being able to, not only, acquire a pair of sneakers I’ve longed for my entire childhood, but to also be able to buy them myself felt rewarding and empowering.
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DESIRE: I am most heavily influenced by everything! I know it sounds really cliche, but really, everything I see. I was taught never to close my eyes and too always absorb everything around me, because you never what might inspire you. It could be the most simple thing that will spark up an idea or thought, a photo-shoot concept, a song …..sorry I sound like such a nerd right now.
