“Feminine minimalism for the modern woman…”
The Victoria Wright woman is always ahead of the trends, timelessly elegant, and effortlessly chic. She has a keen appreciation for the arts and a passion for traveling the world. She is in need of a wardrobe which can take her from day to night, from New York to Paris, and from work to leisure. She has a distinct personality and is not afraid to let her individuality shine through her personal style.
The Victoria Wright woman sounds like the #TeamCoco girl, so we had to go along to find out more…
When did you launch the brand and what was the reason behind it?
I officially launched my brand March 2014. I always knew I wanted to have my own line but that dream became a reality when I was accepted into the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator, a year long business accelerator for fashion entrepreneurs sponsored by Macy’s Department store.
What’s your background?
My interest in fashion began when I was very young. As a child my mother always encouraged my creative curiosity and taught me art history. She was a part of a program called “Art Goes to School”, (where art enthusiasts would teach art history to kids in public schools), and she often used me as a guinea pig for her speeches and classes. So, from a very young age I knew I wanted to be some sort of artist just like the ones I read about and saw in museums. My favourite thing to draw was always women in fantastic dresses. One day, when I was about 13 years old, I sort of had an epiphany and realised that I could turn my interest in drawing and imagining dresses into a career.I became passionate about learning how to turn my two dimensional ideas into real wearable works of art. I took sewing lessons, taught myself how to make my own patterns, and was accepted into Parson’s The New School of Design and then Moore College of Art and Design where I expanded my fashion education. After graduating, I did several internships and held some freelance positions in NYC as well as in Philadelphia. I quickly realised corporate fashion wasn’t exactly the dream I had formed as a young girl. So when the opportunity to be a part of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator presented itself, I knew I had to go for it and try my best to make my dreams a reality. And almost four years later, here I am, hopefully making my 13-year-old self, and my mother, very proud.
If you could start over with the business, would you do anything differently?
I’m not sure that I would do anything differently because although I of course had some hiccups along the way I learned very important lessons from them. No one is perfect and I think it is important to embrace your imperfections, your mistakes, and learn from them.
What is the hardest challenge you have faced since you started the company?
The most difficult challenge has been doing everything myself. My company is still fairly small so I usually have to play the role of designer, production manager, marketer, PR, sales person, etc. But, I am very passionate about what I do so I love every minute of it despite the difficulties!
Tell us one fact about you that people wouldn’t know?
I went though a phase of wearing plaid kilts when I was in junior high. It’s pretty embarrassing looking back but I think it was the beginning of me trying to express myself through fashion in a new and unique way.
2018 is almost here, where do you plan on taking the brand?
For Spring 2018 I was inspired by the idea of a very metropolitan women sojourning in the European countryside. The latest collection celebrates a new kind of subtle femininity with minimalist tendencies. I paired romantic details with streamlined silhouettes to create a look fitting for this modern cosmopolitan woman whether she is travelling and exploring a new destination or enjoying life in her own home city.
To date, what has been the highlight since launching?
My biggest highlight has been being featured recently in British Vogue in the December issue. It has always been a dream of mine to be in Vogue since I always found inspiration while perusing the various international Vogue magazines when I was in fashion school in New York. There is a fabulous magazine shop called “Around the World” where they stock magazines from all over the world. So going in there and seeing my brand’s name in one of the most highly anticipated issues was a very surreal experience!
Which city do you feel most at home in, London, Paris or New York?
I definitely most at home in New York as I studied there, lived there, and now often travel there to visit my factories and to source materials.
Three beauty products you can’t leave the house without?Dior lipstick in Confident, (the perfect nude shade), Cholé eau de parfum, and Anastasia brow pencil. It’s all about the brows!
Style means….?
Style is putting pieces together that make you feel beautiful and confident in yourself. It’s the most amazing form of self expression. You can learn so much about someone by how they dress.
Best thing about London to you?
My favourite thing about London is the street style. Women in London have such a sophisticated and classic way of dressing but then you also get a mix of new trends and vintage pieces styled with these classic pieces. I just find it so inspiring. One of my favorite things is just to sit at a café Nero with a pot of tea and just people watch when I’m in London!
Statement shoe or statement bag?
Depends on the outfit!
If you had to, what piece of clothing from your wardrobe would you wear everyday?
My favourite piece rom my collection is my Stevie Blouse, names after Stevie Nicks! It’s a modern take on a button down with contrasting bell sleeves. Its been my best seller for two seasons and I always feel so confidant and chic when I wear it. Luckily I have it in several different colours and fabric combinations so technically I could wear it everyday! I think my dry cleaning bill would be a bit hard to handle though…
Favourite love song?
La Vie en Rose by Edith Piaf of course! A classic.
Best place for a coffee?
I love this new café/ boulangerie that opened in Philadelphia called “Je T’aime Bakery”. The serve La Colombe coffee which is a fabulous Philadelphian coffee roaster. They also make a delicious chausson pomme, which is my favourite French pastry and is very difficult to find in the US!
Most memorable piece of advice given to you?
Never give up, never surrender! My father used to say this to me when I was feeling discouraged about something. Being a fashion designer is definitely not an easy career path so I think back on his advice when things are challenging and it helps keep me motivated.
Guilty pleasure?
Netflix and chill. One of my favourite things is to cook dinner with my husband, drink a glass of red wine and watch a new Netflix show. We just started a French show called “Call my Agent” and I highly recommend it!
If you could spend 24 hours in anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I’ve always had a fondness of Paris. I could spend hours just walking the Parisian streets admiring the architecture, people watching, window shopping and just taking everything in.
In future, how do you plan on expanding the company?
A big goal of mine is to be able to expand into boutiques in the UK and in Europe. Right now I am in several boutiques on the East coast and sell my collections online (we ship worldwide!) but being in stores in London and Paris has always been a dream of mine.
Find out more…
Instagram: @victoriawrightdesigns
Facebook: @victoriawrightdesigns
Web: www.victoriawrightdesigns.com
Photography by Peggy WoolseyModel: Caitlin BeattyHair by Ettore MastroddiMake-up: Torrence Forde
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