Visionary Director, Party Producer, Style Maven, Lady of Leisure, Jordan 3 Villain, TomBoy Extraordinaire, Luxury Handbag Queen, Vintage Don, Fashion Addict and Art Nerd. This is Vashtie Kola, or as she is often called “Downtown’s Sweetheart.” With a friendly demeanor and uncanny ability in bridging the gap between underground cool and industry mainstream, Vashtie can take a meeting with cigar chomping execs and chill with graffiti crews on the streets of the East Village in New York City, where she currently resides.
Born and raised in Albany, NY as the youngest of three children of Trinidadian parents, Vashtie was reborn in New York City in 1999. Her sights were set on the film world as she attended The School Of Visual Arts in Manhattan to study directing/cinematography.
Upon graduation in 2005, she was signed to Box Fresh Pictures as a Director alongside Anthony Mandler. Many of her first videos were done with this company, including videos for artists such as Beans, J-Status and Tony Hussle. At the same time, she was also writing music video treatments for established directors such as Anthony Mandler, Lenny Bass and Dr. Teeth & for Common’s video “Testify” which starred Taraji P. Henson and Wood Harris.
In 2006, she was asked to re-vamp the company of Island Def Jam as Director of Creative Services. Antonio “LA” Reid, president of Def Jam, said she would be “the one to keep the building cool, someone in tune with downtown cool and pop mainstream.” The corporate work environment took its toll on Vashtie. She found her creative expression was stifled. In 2007, she left her job at Def Jam to once again pursue her directing career.
Feeling the creative energy flowing, Vashtie continued her directing path. She shot an independent music video for the song “Us Placers” off of a Kanye West mixtape, which features child versions of Kanye and featured artists Lupe Fiasco and Pharrell Williams. The personal project was commissioned entirely by Vashtie and was a huge success, reaching a million hits via YouTube in less than a day. Soon after, she was once again back in the director’s seat creating music videos for Solange (“T.O.N.Y.”), Kid Cudi (“Heaven At Night”), Jadakiss featuring Faith Evans (“Letter to B.I.G.”), Justin Bieber (“One Love”) and more.
Also in 2006, Vashtie started an iconic monthly 90’s party with her best friend Oscar Sanchez, titled “1992”. Spinning only music from the early 90’s, the event brought out a mix of tastemakers and celebrities such as Ne-Yo, Jermaine Dupri, Patrick Ewing, Redman, DJ Premier, The Clipse, Maxwell, Kid Cudi and more. Although its residency is in New York City, the party has spread as far as Miami, Paris and Amsterdam. In 2008, 1992 was nominated for Best Party at the Paper Magazine Nightlife Awards and also received a style feature in The New York Time.
With the overwhelming response to 1992, Grammy award winner Q-Tip asked her to join forces to create a weekly party at Santos in Manhattan alongside DJ Rich Medina called Open. Like 1992, it attracts a mix of people you won’t find anywhere else; celebrities ranging from Jay-Z and Diddy to Mick Jagger and Ben Stiller. Like all of Vashtie’s events, her main concern is creating an environment where everyone is welcome. All types of people, all different styles and scenes, can come together and have fun without barriers.
Among the overload of brands launching every season, Vashtie never found one brand that consistently represented her tomboy flair and high fashion sensibility. With this in mind, Vashtie created her own line, VIOLETTE. With an official debut in Fall 2008, the clothing is inspired by a mix of opposite worlds: uptown and downtown, hip-hop and rock, feminine and masculine, casual and couture.
As Vashtie says, “Imagine if Louis Vuitton had a daughter living in the Lower East Side – she’d be rocking a luxury handbag and a fly pair of kicks. Her wardrobe would consist of rare designer items and delicate vintage pieces. With superb style that is effortless and uncontrived, she starts trends without thinking. The harmony of contrasts is a distinction of her true sense of fashion.”
VIOLETTE is currently carried at specialty boutiques across the globe like Colette (Paris), Essence (Yokohama, Japan), and Fruition (Las Vegas). While still expanding, VIOLETTE is primarily be for the Ladies but, there is also a VIOLETTE HOMME line dedicated to the Gentlemen.
August 15, 2009
yo va$htie!
(check for an aug 15 entry)
love your work… the content in your blog, your directing work, your fashion line. love it so much i wrote a piece about you on my blog! would love if you checked it out – when you have 5min to spare
i hope i got all my facts right… peace out!
August 18, 2009
Aye Va$htie! your werk is sickk,your blog is soo cool!
love it!
your line is what I’ve been asking,for it’s perfect!
tomboy-cool meets couture-cred..keep it up.
You Rock!
*KatarZyna
peace.
August 24, 2009
hello! my name is phleung. i see the video that you make for Justin Bieber is incredible, i wish i can do something like that. i wrote a lots of lyric but they all not good. i was thinking, if you can help me with it.
P.S i speak to languse thai and english
please don’t forget to visit my website http://www.justamazed.piczo.com
and please E-mail me back, please i very want this so badly. i just want to be a singer and actress
and by the way sorry about the spelling
August 24, 2009
hello! my name is phleung. i see the video that you make for Justin Bieber is incredible, i wish i can do something like that. i wrote a lots of lyric but they all not good. i was thinking, if you can help me with it.
P.S i speak to Language thai and english
please don’t forget to visit my website http://www.justamazed.piczo.com
and please E-mail me back, please i very want this so badly. i just want to be a singer and actress
and by the way sorry about the spelling
August 25, 2009
Fans are creepy..
August 26, 2009
Hey Vashtie, not sure if your going to read this, but here it goes. i am a hip hop artist from toronto Canada and i first caught you in a video with Kid Cudi a while back. It was cool and i didnt really think about it again untill today. i was surfing around the blogs as i like to do frequently and this link causght my attention. it said Va$htie. i thought to myself i wonder if it’s the same Vashtie from that old Kid Cudi post? So i decided to click it to find out. I wasn’t too surprised that is was infact you. so now, that leads us to this introductory letter to you. I would like to send you 1 or 2 songs to get your feet wet. thanks for considering
peace
love and profits
Sheldon
August 26, 2009
Vashtie!
Awesome amazing work.
Truely inspirational and down right sexy.
Yourself as well. Hehe. x
Daz
August 30, 2009
http://www.cassavaleaf.com/
September 1, 2009
Hey just an idea… It would be cool if you keep us updated with tweets… My brother always comes to the site but it would be cool if you sent us an update of the NEW”NESS!!
September 3, 2009
Hey Va$hite!
I’ve been searching up & down lookin for a contact lol
I was wonder since your so so so so DOPE!
If I could interview you for my blog.
http://www.geyahsblog.wordpress.com
you can email me @ itz_geia@yahoo.com
I pray i hear from you lol
♥duckie!
September 27, 2009
Hey Va$htie!!
I love your material and creativity. I actually study it and pick up some pointers. I wish u could check out some of my work and tell me what u think. (rashadmartinez@hotmail.com)
September 27, 2009
I think you made some good points in your post.
October 2, 2009
Best prices for: ,
October 2, 2009
Hey Vastie whats up, can you send us an email info@lavishlane.com I didn’t see any contact info on the page.
November 16, 2009
Va$htie, I don’t know what to say right now…I’m inspired by someone like you. Amazed is more of the word I’m looking for…I’m in love, not just with your beauty but your creativity and perspective. WOW. Ok, I’m sure you hear it all the time so I’ll give it up…
Barry @ aNYthing Productions anythingent.com
January 5, 2010
Hey Vashtie!
We love your blog over here at http://www.empressmag.com
We featured you on our site
http://empressmag.com/featured/featured-site-vashtie
Empress Magazine
January 11, 2010
Hi Vashtie, I Think Ur Sick. I Don’t Really Read Blogs, But I’m A True Fan Of Urs =) I Hope 2 Be Making Videos Like Urs Soon…
All Da Way From Birmingham UK
<3
January 12, 2010
http://oh-soo-na.blogspot.com/2010/01/violette-by-vashtie-kola.html
=]
January 23, 2010
When you gonna throw me under them LANKS???
Uhhh uh
January 30, 2010
I Love Vashtie, One of a kind. Her work is phenominal and shes a beautiful person inside n out
February 3, 2010
dope blog. one of the few blogs from an individual involved in the “biz” and doesn’t come off ostentatious. haha not bad on the eyes either. keep it up, jack.
February 16, 2010
Hey Vashtie,
My name is Ofunne Okwudiafor. I am currently a 3rd year Communications major at UC Davis, and I absolutely love your blog, your work, and your clothing line!! I have been following you since I was in high school. You are one of my greatest inspirations. I have to do a journalism project and write a feature on someone I find interesting and inspiring and I really want to write a piece on you. I was wondering if I could possibly interview you, maybe through video chat or maybe I could give you a list on questions to answer. Please let me know if you would be willing to help me out! Thanks!!! =]
-Ofunne Okwudiafor
March 6, 2010
Hey Vashtie,
My name is Lindsay. I work WNBC in New York. I follow your blog etc. I and many others admire what you’ve created and achieved. I’d love to do a piece on you – talk about what inspires you and how you came up etc.
Here’s a link to a recent story I did for our website/channel. Please contact me if you’re interested.
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/The-Secrets-of-Kells-Revealed-86341612.html
- Lindsay
March 23, 2010
Hey Vashtie,
I would love to talk business with you. When you get a moment, please email me. Thank you!
- Nikki Casino
March 25, 2010
Hello Vashtie,
Just discovered you. I would love to collaborate in the future with an artist I’m working with named Mr Boyd after his promotional cycle begins.
Check out one of his experimental music videos for “AT WHAT COST” here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqnrIXGHSpA
It’s on some ANDY WARHOL MEETS MARVIN GAYE TIP. Thought you might understand it:)
Also,
Is this the best way to reach you when the time comes?
Best,
H
April 9, 2010
You are a beautiful women!
April 11, 2010
Hello,
My name is Larissa Mills, I am currently and graduating student at a film school in San Francisco. Currently I am taking a female filmmakers course and for out final we are supposed to reach out to females in the industry and interview them. I have been looking at your work for a couple year now, and would love if you, Vashtie could answer just a few questions. Please let me know if you have the time, and I will send just a few inquires your way.
Thank you so much for your time, I hope all is well.
Larissa Mills
April 22, 2010
Look who made the list for top 40 “highest” cities in America. Albany.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-04-20/americas-40-highest-cities/#gallery=1538;page=11
April 28, 2010
OMG! You were just a little girl when I lived next door to you. You’re brother and sister were always outside running and turning somersaults. Wow what a small world – how wonderful to see that cute little girl from so long ago doing so well. Congrats!
April 30, 2010
#56 Chuckla – too funny and too true. These comments are crazy!
June 7, 2010
Hi i am also working at becoming a director / vfx artist. I love all types of films and would also love to do some music videos. I would love to pick your brain sometime on your shooting styles and the hardware you use. I am thinking about getting the Canon 5D Mark2. and am planing on shooting a short film on the canon 5D and 1D. Checkout my site i am always up for learning more.
July 13, 2010
Hey
My name’s Christina; I work with MeanRed Productions and Good Peoples. I wanted to reach out to you about a free Good Peoples event this Wednesday (7/14) at Brooklyn Bowl. The show features exclusive performances by Chiddy Bang (Virgin/Glastonbury/Lollapalooza), Daniel Merriweather, and a host of other forward-looking acts.
As a recognized industry tastemaker, we’d like to extend a personal invite to join us. You’ll be amongst friends, creatives, and of course, Good Peoples. We know you’re ahead of the curve and this is our toast to you! Let’s celebrate.
More details here: http://good-peoples.com/?p=1196 and if you’re interested, I hope you’ll consider a write-up so your readers can get in on this, too.
Feel free to share, just make sure everyone RSVPs here: RSVP@Good-Peoples.com
August 13, 2010
Dope..ness
August 21, 2010
Trying to be like Va$htie when I grow up <3
August 23, 2010
INSPIRED BY VASHTIE..
ODDBALL CLOTHING COLLECTION. TWO YOUNG GUYS COMING UP FROM THE STRUGGLE OF THE STREETS STARTING A CLOTHING LINE CALLED ODDBALL DOING SOMETHING POSTIVE TO GET AWAY FORM ALL THE NEGATIVITY CLICK BELOW.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HmfbnZ0RdU
September 14, 2010
Would love to have you as a guest at my party…this Fri 9.17.10 at POP Burger Lounge (Meatpacking District) 10p – 4am…Love everything you do…One Love…One Artist.
Best,
Tiff-
September 15, 2010
Hi,
Va$htie i just wanted to say you’re super Dope! i visit your blog righteously, and through you i am learning so many new things that interest me. so thanks and stay Dope!
kendra.
September 22, 2010
i just heard about you 2 days. its a beautiful thing to see wonderful innovative young people. i spotted you on nicekicks.com with those new air jordan retro 2′s. beautiful excellent look. keep up the innovation. hope to meet you someday…. God bless
September 23, 2010
http://necolebitchie.com/2010/09/23/bitchie-chick-of-the-day-vashtie-kola/
Bloggers are standing up…
Congrats!
September 26, 2010
Hi Vashtie!,
My name is Ivana and I would like to speak to you about doing an interview for my magazine. Its new, and i thought it would be great if you could grace it. So please shoot me an e-mail so that we can talk about it. Thank you!
October 21, 2010
Keep doing your thing sista
November 3, 2010
When is the next 1992 party in NYC?
November 13, 2010
Vashtie!
I’m a new fan! I stumbled across you via your collaboration with Jordan…. I was looking for a Purple Jordan shoe to wear under my wedding dress (06.25.11) and for the last 4 hours I’ve been reading up on you. I’m very impressed by all that you have done as I’ve liked your style before I even knew it was your style that I was likin’! I will send my support your way whenever I can! Excited to see wattcha’ gonna do next!
Mad Respect,
Clemente’
November 16, 2010
Your blog is fascinating while stoned, and not for only the obvious reasons.
That’s all.
March 3, 2011
check out some good true takent. http://truethefuture.tumblr.com/
March 18, 2011
well ok
May 4, 2011
Wow!! Your fan base is extremly rediculious.. Just stumble across you website.. and these letter catch me attention.. “TRINI” and “teet” lol!!! Iwish I could Have got to know you in this life time.. But, I guess in the next.. Keep rep’n for all the graf-heads and b-boyz and girlz out there.. Like you said your are the bridge that bond the underground world to main stream.. good luck to you monkey face..
May 4, 2011
Leon C belizean.. Monket face.. lol!!
June 4, 2011
0206.txt;15;25
June 5, 2011
0206.txt;15;25