Victor Vaughns exists in 2021 but lives in a 90s kind of world. That’s what happens when you grow up loving the era you were born in – and when the Black sitcoms of the 90s raise, inspire, and influence you. Vaughns, a competitive sneakerhead, was born and raised in Southern California between South Central and Pasadena but on the side you probably haven’t seen on TV, as in the eastside. While others were attending parties around the corner or on the other side of town, Victor was sneaking out of the house, going to clubs throughout LA and parties in the Hollywood Hills at 16 – and spending his teenage job money on sneakers to outdo his mother’s sneaker collection.
By the time he graduated from Pasadena High School in 2008, he was dreaming of a career in fashion, but his mother’s objection persuaded him to enroll in the computer technician program at LA Trade Tech. He ultimately ended up at Santa Monica College, the same school Nicki and Kim attended on “The Parkers.” It was “the 13th grade,” in Victor’s words. He then enrolled in the Fashion Merchandising program at the Art Institute of North Hollywood which eventually led him to the place he longed for: New York City.
As we dive into Victor’s charming story, we learn more about him, his humble life as a talented editor and his unconditional love of Moesha.
What do you do at WWD?
I’m an Associate Fashion Market Editor, overseeing the contemporary men’s RTW, fine jewelry and accessories market. I’m helping out with women’s extras, i.e., underpinnings, accessories, and jewelry. Furthermore, I write fashion show reviews for main, pre-season, bridal and carefully cover the Black emerging designer market. More recently, I’ve been handling the fashion market across several other books under our publisher’s umbrella, i.e., Rolling Stone, Robb report, Variety, Billboard, and more. I have a lot going on!
Why fashion, why publishing?
I’ve always wanted to work at a fashion magazine and live joyfully in New York thanks in large part to 90s television shows like Just Shoot Me, Queen Latifah’s Living Single, and Seinfeld. Living Single and Just Shoot Me influenced me to genuinely want to work at a magazine. Back in ‘09, my mother bought me the Teen Vogue handbook, and I perused it from front to back. It enlightened me about all the different jobs that existed in the industry back then because you don’t really know until you’re in it, and many of those specific positions don’t exist anymore.
What was it that moved you to use your position to broadcast black talent?
Last year, a new page was created at WWD for the fashion team called “Market Moments,” where we talk about things we like. I didn’t contribute for a while because I was extremely busy with everything else – on top of us being at the height of the pandemic. One day, I thought about a young lady I was familiar with who had launched a shoe line, and I thought, okay, if I’m going to work on this page, let me start with her and help expose her brand. From there, it naturally turned into this weekly column where I began writing about Black-owned brands, and once companies started catching on to the fact that I was focusing on Black-owned brands, it just stuck.
As a market editor, what attracts you?
Appealing garments that are wearable and realistic. Functional clothing. I genuinely like to focus on things people can actually wear to work because everything can’t be crazy and over the top.
How do you decide on what up-and-coming brands to feature? What boxes must they check?
I pay meticulous attention to price points. If it’s overly expensive for what it is, then I usually go back and forth on it before determining my decision. Many brands want to exist in the luxury space, but not everybody can. I also pay attention to how the garments present on a natural body when looking at images. Then the cut, color, and really important for me is the fabric I want quality. I’m uninterested in writing about anybody’s sweatshirt; that’s not enough.
Three years from now, where do you see yourself?
I’d like to be at a place where I can write about emerging brands and help them grow. An incubator of some sort where I’m not only helping with the garments but the packaging as well.
How do you think your blackness influences your work?
Within the last few years, I’ve become unapologetically Black. I used to hold back and not present my whole self, but now I don’t care. I’m a guy from the eastside, deal with it.
Besides being a market editor, you also write. What subjects interest you the most?
It’s whatever crosses my mind, really. I could be sitting comfortably in the bed looking at Instagram and an idea will pop up, and I’ll instantly write it down and pitch it. For example, when Netflix decided to add all of the iconic Black shows on their platform, i.e., Moesha, One on One, Girlfriends, The Parkers, etc., I decided I wanted to interview the costume designer for Moesha and The Parkers. It just so happens that she worked on Living Single too. Those shows were a significant part of my childhood and have influenced the person I am today.
You’re in a unique position to tell stories at Women’s Wear Daily. How does that feel?
It’s a little surreal. I genuinely don’t reflect on it until my stories get published, and the person or brands are thanking me for including them. It typically hits me when I see how happy other people are and how much that feature means to them.
Out of all the features, you have written, pick your top 3.
Definitely the Moesha and Living Single costume designer piece. Moesha remains a staple of my childhood; I was in Leimert Park just like she was in the official theme song. The Juneteenth story I produced this year was absolutely lovely. Dapper Dan literally opened his private home to us for that remarkable story and willingly let us shoot inside and on the stoop. Such a divine blessing. The third would have to be the delightful story I developed on the Black Fashion Fair and Brooklyn Sewing Academy teaming up to equip the next generation of Black and Brown creatives. It’s challenging to get into FIT and Parsons, so for these two companies to come together and provide students with these opportunities and machines is a moment to be celebrated.
Name Four brands you admire.
Theophilio by Edvin Thompson, Taylor Dixon of Sunni Sunni, Kendra Duplantier of Kendra Duplantier and Colin LoCascio of Colin LoCascio
Three people we should interview next?
Designer Larissa Muehleder, Makeup Artist Jaleesa Jaikaran and Photographer Christian Cody
IG: @vqvaughns
Twitter: @VQVaughns
