Every Thursday night you get the chance to see what it’s like to be Tracey Ferguson.  You watch her nuture her children, run a magazine, and keep amazingly coiffed hair.  In honor of  JONES Magazine ONCENTRIC is spotlighting woman who carry the ”Jones” spirit. 

Va$htie is a NYC 20-something better known as “Downtown’s Sweetheart” that is originally from upstate New York.  She’s a music video director, fashion designer (Violette New York), and trendsetter that has taken her passions straight to the top as she influences a generation of people to live freely and to be confident in everything they do.  With a flare for style and unmatched confidence, Va$htie recently told Centric what makes a “Jones woman” and what she can’t live without during the hottest months of the year.

Centric: In your opinion, what makes a dynamic woman?

Va$htie: Someone not afraid to be who they are…despite the imperfections, they are unapologetically themselves. I think as women we’re taught that “pretty” is the ultimate goal. While “pretty” will get you noticed, it’s not something that will last nor will it keep anyone’s attention for long if there’s nothing behind it. I love strong willed, powerful and smart women. Women who think outside the box and don’t follow trends, rather they blaze trails as they move.

What and who influenced your style?

Everything from film to music to art. As a kid I was glued to TV and magazines. I’m from the MTV generation that still had music videos in heavy rotation, so that had a huge impact. Musicians like RUN DMC, RAKIM, DEPECHE MODE, NAS, NENEH CHERRY, DEEE-LITE, etc.
Having an older brother and sister played a huge part. They were both 7 and 8 years my senior and they were the coolest people I knew. My gay brother introduced me to NYC, house music, fashion and voguing.  My sister taught me music and her style of flipping her hair to one side and denim cutoffs. If you know me today, you know that all of those things are still present in my life. It’s like I’m stuck in a moment and all those things still amaze me as if I was still a child.

Summer is rapidly approaching, describe your summertime style.

Hmmm. I’m a creature of habit and I like comfort. It’s usually denim cutoffs, biker boots or skippies and a wide armed tank top or an oversized Violette tee. I’m not a sundress and sandal kind of girl, but if I must dress up I’d probably wear a black mini and a crop tee with some boots. I usually throw on a light fabric long sleeved shirt for when it gets chilly.

What are the three colors that you can’t go without during the summer?

Black, white and denim.

Violette New York is your fashion line… can you tell us what to expect for summer 2010?

Yes, it’s simple and clean. Lately, I haven’t been much into graphics and I like the idea of text. I like themes, like last season was GHETTO GOTH – a mix of all things hood and suburban.  The next season is all about TEXT.  A play on 90’s t-shirts, like “UNBUTTON MY FLY” and all that. It’ll be a lot of fun.

Have you ever found it hard to balance your personal and professional life, or are the two intertwined?

I learned early on to separate my personal life from my professional life, without seeming impersonal. It’s easiest that way. I learned that as soon as I graduated high school, the world and it’s circles was just another high school – same gossip and same cliques.  Having your personal business in places it shouldn’t be can set you up for disaster.  Also, it’s just not that professional to have your personal life intertwined. If I’m hired to do a job, I’m going to do just that.

Where will the world see Vashtie in 10 years?

I’d like to say “taking over the world”, but that phrase makes me laugh.
I just want to continue to make things. I like creating. Furthering the development of VIOLETTE, directing feature films and documentaries, starting an art program for kids who don’t have proper art education in schools, publishing some art books, writing a memoir…
Definitely, I’d like to be settled down by then.  Married with a couple of rug rats running wild. I’m a home-body and that sort of thing makes me content.

TAGS: Jones Women, Keeping Up With The Joneses, Spotlight, Summer, TRACEY FERGUSON, Va$htie, Violette