“VASHTIE IS A CREATIVELY RELEVANT NEW YORKER... AND

INDEX
VA S H T I E KO L A
BIO
07
DIRECTING
17
COLLABORATIONS
25
CREATIVE DIRECTION
51
DJ
69
EVENTS & RED CARPET
77
AMBASSADORSHIPS
83
MODEL
95
STREET STYLE
111
PRESS
115
6
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
Vashtie Kola is truly a renaissance woman - New York
based Director, Filmmaker, Artist, Designer, Creative
Director, DJ & Model. She has cultivated the Downtown
New York City scene for over a decade as a style icon, but
her curatorial outreach and influence spans worldwide.
7
8
VASHTIE KOLA
About
“A ROLE MODEL FOR
YOUNG TASTEMAKERS.”
– NYTIMES
Director,Artist,
Filmmaker, Artist,
Director, Filmmaker,
Designer,
Creative Director,
Designer, Creative
Director,
DJ & Model. DJ & Model.
About
00
9
10
VASHTIE KOLA
About
She moves easily among Fashion, Film and Music, she
has emerged as “a role model for young tastemakers,”
as the The New York Times titled her when they wrote
about her in a Style section feature profile. Black Enterprise coined her “Vashtie Kola: Curator of Cool.”
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
11
12
VASHTIE KOLA
About
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
Vashtie is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts where she studied film. She grew up in
Albany, New York as a first generation American of Trinidadian heritage. From an early age
Vashtie found ways to create options when she felt like she didn’t fit in or lacked economic
means. She worked in an Albany tattoo parlor as a young teenager and dreamed of going to
film school. “When you are alienated for being different, you begin to be unafraid of who you
want to be. I’m comfortable with being creative. It allowed me say, you guys think I’m weird
and I’m going to do what I’m going to do. I was always interested in meeting new people
and being different.” Vashtie was attracted to skateboarding, hip hop and punk rock the
hallmarks of a counter culture that would cultivate her path. “It was art and it was creative
and it was a way to touch a lot of people all at once. I wanted to make art that would inspire
other people”.
13
14
VASHTIE KOLA
About
“Most Stylish
New Yorker.”
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
15
VASHTIE’S DOMAIN IS EXPANSIVE, BUT HER APPROACH INCORPORATES A
CORE SENSIBILITY THAT MARRIES THE COSMOPOLITAN TO AN UNHINGED
STREET AESTHETIC, WHICH IS WHY TIME OUT NEW YORK ONCE NAMED
HER “MOST STYLISH NEW YORKER.” SHE CHALLENGES THE BOUNDARIES
OF GENDER, BEAUTY, AND INDIVIDUALITY EMBODIED BY THE AESTHETIC
OF HER BRAND VIOLETTE, WHICH SHE LAUNCHED IN FALL 2008. VIOLETTE
– TIMEOUT NEW YORK
IS CARRIED IN SELECT BOUTIQUES, INCLUDING COLETTE IN PARIS. THE
DISTINCTIVE FLAIR FOUND IN HER DESIGNS FOR VIOLETTE HAS SERVED AS
A PLATFORM FOR PARTNERSHIPS WITH BRANDS.
16
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
DIRECTING
17
18
VASHTIE KOLA
Directing
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
“DIRECTING KEEPS
ME ON MY FEET FOR
ABOUT 12–16 HOURS
A DAY, AND ON THE
RARE OCCASION 22–
24 HOURS.”
Vashtie has directed videos for Justin Bieber, Kid Cudi, Solange, Jadakiss and more. She
directed Bieber’s first music video in 2009 which featured Usher. She directed the commercial campaigns for the Pepsi Refresh Program that starred Will.i.am and featured LMFAO, which aired at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Her most recent projects include
music videos for Big K.R.I.T, Joey Bada$$ and Kendrick Lamar. Her work, at times, investigates social issues, including an upcoming music video for Joey Bada$$ that exposes
the tactics of “stop and frisk” in America. Vashtie’s approach to the art form of the music
video ranges from the surreal to stripped- down, monochromatic and raw. “I like to think
that it’s super organic and feels right by the artist. I’ve been creating a sense of loneliness
in my recent work, ” she says. She has also directed several short films, including one which
starred Kid Cudi.
19
20
VASHTIE KOLA
“A.D.H.D.”
Kendrick Lamar
“One Time”
Justin Bieber
Directing
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
“Martyrial Girls”
Gym Class Heroes
“Boobie Miles”
Big K.R.I.T.
21
22
VASHTIE KOLA
Directing
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
23
“Waves”
Joey Bada$$
“Roll It”
J-Status Feat.
Shonetlle
& Rihanna
“T.O.N.Y.”
Solange
“Letter to B.I.G.”
Jadakiss
“Elevator”
Junior Sanchez &
Good Charlotte
“Good Lovin’”
Slim Feat.
Ryan Leslie &
Fabolous
“Exodus”
Curt@!n$
“I Want You’”
Theophilus London
“Day To Night”
Baby G-Shock
“Pepsi Refresh’”
Will.I.Am
& LMFAO
24
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
COLLABORATIONS
25
26
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
“I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A SUPPORTER OF SUPPORTING THOSE WHO WERE
CREATIVE AND BOLD, VASHTIE HAS ALWAYS REPRESENTED THESE TRAITS
AND WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY CAME AROUND TO HAVE HER WORK ON A
PRODUCT IT WAS BASED ON THE VISION OF HER BEING ABLE TO FURTHER
STRETCH THE BRAND REACH. GIVEN WHAT THE AJ2 REPRESENTED WITH IT
BEING THE FIRST OF IT’S KIND FROM A CRAFTSMANSHIP STANDPOINT IT
MADE TOTAL SENSE TO HAVE VASHTIE BRING HER VISION TO LIFE ON THAT
CANVAS. IN THIS SPACE VASHTIE IS AUTHENTIC, CREDIBLE AND MOST
IMPORTANTLY HUMBLE WHICH MAKES IT A NO-BRAINER TO GIVE HER
CREATIVE LICENSE TO INSPIRE OTHERS.”
– Astor Chambers
Footwear Business Director, Jordan Brand
JORDAN x
VIOLETTE
In 2010, Vashtie became the first woman to design a Jordan brand sneaker under the Violette
signature in an empowering campaign oriented
toward girls featuring the tagline was “sometimes the king is a woman.”
27
28
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
PUMA
x
VA S H T I E
S / S 15
Vashtie has most recently collaborated with Puma
Premium for a full range of unisex Footwear & Apparel,
both Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter 2015. The line
will be sold at International Exclusive Boutiques (like
Colette in Paris) and Puma Premium stores around
the globe. The first collection is largely inspired by
New York City and Vashtie’s love for 80s B-Boy Culture
and 90s Alterna-Style.
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
29
30
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
31
32
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
33
“VASHTIE REALLY IS NEW YORK’S DOWNTOWN SWEATHEART. I HAVE
KNOWN VASHTIE FOR OVER A YEAR NOW BUT KNOWN OF HER FOR MUCH
LONGER. SHE REALLY IS A PLEASURE TO WORK, HER CREATIVE DIRECTION
AND IDEAS ARE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. VASHTIE’S ATTENTION TO DETAIL
AND PASSION FOR EVERYTHING SHE DOES EXCEEDS THE NORM. SHE IS
TRULY A PART OF THE PUMA FAMILY.”
– Yassine Saidi
Global Head, Lifestyle Footwear and PUMA SELECT
34
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
P UMA
x
VA S H T I E
F / W 15
The quintessential New York City girl, Vashtie’s
creativity can’t be confined. Drawing on her life as
a DJ, movie director, fashion model, and designer,
Vashtie constantly redefines what it means to be a
cultural curator. Inspired by 80’s “B-Boy” culture
and 90’s “Alternastyle”, as well as the singular
architecture of the NYC subway, the PUMA x Vashtie
collection proves what’s possible when a genuine
creative vision is grounded in history.
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
35
36
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
37
38
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
VASHTIE KOLA
39
40
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
41
42
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
G-SHOCK
x
VASHTIE
December 2014, Vashtie partnered with GShock to design a limited edition timepiece.
This all gold watch was inspired by the Presidential Rolex. As Vashtie explains, “The
watch is inspired by my obsession with gold.
Traditionally, business people are known for
wearing noteworthy timepieces and as the
face of the new young entrepreneur/ business person, I wanted to design a G-Shock
watch that represented an entrepreneurial
spirit while being beautiful and timeless.”.
The watch sold out within one short week of
being on her website! It is also being sold at
select G-Shock stores, Macy’s, and Tourneau.
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
43
44
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
45
46
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
47
“VA$HTIE HAS CULTIVATED THE DOWNTOWN NEW
YORK CITY SCENE FOR OV ER A DECADE AS A STYLE
ICON. HER EXPERIENCE IN FASHION, FILM AND MUSIC
MAKES HER A PERFECT FIT FOR G-SHOCK AND WE’RE
THRILLED TO BE PARTNE RING WITH HER.”
– David Johnson
Vice President, Casio America’s Timepiece Division.
48
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
49
“SPONGEBOB SPEAKS TO MY CREATIVE INNERCHILD AND FASHION REPRESENTS MY POSITION
AS A WOMAN OF THE WORLD. DESPITE THE FACT
THAT SOCIETY SAYS YOU CAN’T BE BOTH, THIS
BAG REPRESENTS ME AND COUNTLESS OTHERS
AS BOTH INDEPENDENT WOMEN AND DREAMY
YOUTH.”
NICKELODEON
x VASHTIE
Vashtie partnered with Nickelodeon and Flüd to create a
limited edition SpongeBob inspired crossbody bag for
Spring 2015.
– VASHTIE
50
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
CREATIVE DIRECTION
51
52
VASHTIE KOLA
Creative Direction
In 2011, she began officially Creative Directing Vashtie has also collaborated with Target and took over
for other companies - most notably for Jay Z and their Tumblr in the Summer of 2012. In 2013, Vashtie
Tommy Hilfiger. She also brought her vision to the made a short film for Porsche Design Blackberry using
Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream brand where she their phone for an instore event that included other artserved as Creative Director for Ice Cream Girl.
ist collaborations by; Baron Von Fancy & The Misshapes.
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
53
54
VASHTIE KOLA
Creative Direction
“VASHTIE TRULY EMBODIES THE DEFINITION OF
A RENAISSANCE WOMAN. HER INNOVATIVE
VISION AND MULTI-DIMENSIONAL CREATIVITY
HAVE SERVED AS A TREMENDOUS RESOURCE
OVER THE PAST DECADE. SHE HAS A VAST
KNOWLEDGE OF UNDERGROUND SUB-CULTURES
AND THE ABILITY TO BALANCE IT WITHIN BUSINESS. NOT ONLY IS SHE A TRUE VISIONARY, BUT
SHE IS ALSO A MODERN ENTREPRENEUR.”
– Sean “Diddy” Combs
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
55
56
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
57
58
VASHTIE KOLA
Creative Direction
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
Vashtie never found one brand that consistently represented her tomboy
flair and high fashion sensibility.
With this in mind, VIOLETTE was established in a lane of its own. It began
to manifest in 1999, but wouldn’t be fully realized until years later. Inspired
by uptown and downtown, hip hop and rock, feminine and masculine, casual and couture – VIOLETTE is a mix of opposite worlds that meshes fashion
forward with casual style.
The VIOLETTE girl is impossible to categorize. Her wardrobe consists of rare
designer items and delicate vintage pieces. She contains a style that is both
effortless and uncontrived, she starts trends without thinking. The harmony of contrasts is a distinction of her true sense of fashion.
59
60
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
VASHTIE KOLA
61
62
VASHTIE KOLA
Collaborations
BEATS BY DRE
x
VIOLETTE
In 2011, She collaborated with Beats by Dre
on “Violette Beats” on a New York City taxi
themed pair of limited edition headsets
released in 2012.
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
63
50
64
VASHTIE KOLA
Creative Direction
CAM’RON
x
VIOLETTE
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
65
66
VASHTIE KOLA
Creative Direction
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
67
68
VASHTIE KOLA
DJ
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
DJ
NY,NY Fashion Week Party
69
70
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
1 9 92 PA RT Y
Her role as DJ also defines Vashtie’s presence on the New York scene.
The“1992” parties that she organized with her friend and partner Oscar
revitalized New York nightlife while revisiting a formative era in her life.
From the moment it began, it was an instant classic - garnering a massive
following in New York City which include dedicated VIP attendees like
Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Dave Chappelle, Pusha-T and more. The New York Times
covered the legendary party and since then it has graced the magazine
pages of Trace, Paper, i-D, and more. 1992 has collaborated with Kenzo
Paris, Opening Ceremony, Refinery 29, Top Shop NYC, Red Bull, etc.
71
72
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
73
“WHEN YOU WORK FOR A HIGH FASHION INTERNATIONAL BRAND AS CHLOE
YOU ALWAYS NEED TO WORK WITH THE BEST TALENTS. MORE THAN JUST
DJ-ING, VASHTIE BRINGS HER STYLE TO CHLOE DNA FROM PARIS, NY, MIAMI
TO LA.. OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE ALWAYS DIFFERENT TASTE FOR MUSIC,
DEPENDS WHEN AND WHERE WE ARE ORGANIZING AN EVENT. VASHTIE MEETS
CHLOE STANDARDS WHATEVER SHE IS PLAYING, SHE ALWAYS REACHES THE
RIGHT TONE AND VIBE THAT MAKES THE CHLOE EVENTS DIFFERENT. CHLOE
IS TARGETING THE EXCELLENCE AS VASHTIE DOES.”
– Arnaud Cauchois
Communication Director, Chloé
74
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
DRAKE
x SOTHEBY’S
75
76
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
EVENTS
&
RED CARPET
77
78
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
“MY
FAVORITE
GIRL”
– Rihanna
79
80
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
VASHTIE KOLA
81
82
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
AMBASSADORSHIPS
83
84
VASHTIE KOLA
Ambassadorships
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
85
86
VASHTIE KOLA
Ambassadorships
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
87
88
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
89
90
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
Vashtie is a brand ambassador for FUL, which is the new line of bags from Justin Timberlake. Outside of social
network posts supporting the product, she also is the face of their national campaign, and is featured in print
ads and outdoor billboards.
91
92
VASHTIE KOLA
Ambassadorships
Vashtie starred in 5 commercial spots to promote the launch of
Toshiba’s new tablet, Satelitte Radius. The campaign slogan is Slash
Generation. Vashtie shows the versatility of the product by using it
in her various work fields (directing, DJing, designing, activist
and presenting).
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
93
94
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
MODELING
95
96
VASHTIE KOLA
Modeling
DKNY
x
OPENING CEREMONY
Vashtie’s nostalgic love for the 90’s also landed her a DKNY feature in
January 2013. Highlighted as one of the faces of their 90‘s Capsule Collection Campaign for Opening Ceremony, alongside super model Cara Delevigne. Vashtie would continue to be a muse for the brand, continuing to
be featured in 3 more international/national campaigns as well as walking in their NYFW Runway Show for 2014
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
97
98
VASHTIE KOLA
Modeling
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
99
100
VASHTIE KOLA
Modeling
“VASHTIE IS A CREATIVELY
RELEVANT NE W YORKER...
AND SHE IS GORGEOUS!”
– Jane Chung
EVP of Design, DKNY
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
101
102
VASHTIE KOLA
Modeling
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
Capturing the feel of New York’s streets is the crux of DKNY. This season,
Donna Karan and co. celebrated the city as a global melting pot with what
the program called a “multicolored, multicultural, multitasking” collection entitled New York Nation. The theme made for a high-energy show
that opened with a series of vibrant looks combining kaleidoscopic prints
September 7, 2014
Brittany Adams
and rugby stripes. Binx Walton kicked things off in a geometric intarsia
sweater paired with a slinky knit tube skirt—which came creatively layered
underneath a kicky pleated style—and flatform sneakers. Mixing couturelike silhouettes with sporty fabrications, the lineup featured voluminous
tea-length dresses and calf-grazing trumpet skirts cut from a spongy doublefaced mesh, which were accessorized with playful extras including ribbed
chokers, crisp white high-tops (a new collaboration with Pony), and bright
clutches covered in metal pop-tops. Elsewhere, a mix of eye-catching embellishments like mirrored paillettes and wooden beads lent an artisanal edge
to festive tunics and minis.
While native New Yorkers with a penchant for black may have a difficult
time embracing all the tribal-inspired graphics and high-octane hues (“blazing” red, “supersonic” blue, “paradise” green), Karan also offered some
more straightforward items with real sidewalk appeal, such as bonded
bomber jackets, functional parkas, and a sculpted white trench similar to
the one the designer took her bow in. While there weren’t any particularly
new fashion propositions here, DKNY is ultimately about attitude, and
street-cast models, including May Kwok, Lee Bullitt, and Vashtie Kola, had
that in spades.
103
104
VASHTIE
KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
105
106
VASHTIE KOLA
Modeling
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
107
108
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
109
110
00
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
STREET STYLE
FA S H I O N W E E K
Paris, 2015
111
112
VASHTIE KOLA
Street Style
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
NY, 2015
VASHTIE KOLA
113
114
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
PRESS
115
116
VASHTIE KOLA
Press
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
117
118
VASHTIE KOLA
Press
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
119
120
VASHTIE KOLA
Press
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
121
122
VASHTIE KOLA
Press
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
123
124
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
125
126
VASHTIE KOLA
Press
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
VASHTIE KOLA
127
128
VASHTIE KOLA
SECTION
Director, Filmmaker, Artist,
Designer, Creative Director,
DJ & Model.
129