We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
That collaboration within the industry would make for many more successful creatives. The fashion industry has many different career paths and even in the same role collaboration would make life easier. Everyone is aware how tough, cut throat or competitive the fashion world is. However, imagine a world where an accessory designer, clothing designer, fashion photographer, fashion editor, fashion stylist etc all came together. If they all collaborated, one person’s success would be everyone’s success vs just looking out for your own.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My name is Victoria Lee, I own Uniquely Victoria which is an eye-catching clothing line that provides wardrobe to Uniquely Victoria Media. Uniquely Victoria Media strives to help expose the hidden gems in fashion & the entertainment industry. I would say I specialize in fashion design, writing/PR services and hosting. I am not your typical designer who wants to do runway shows in a way that tells your story. I’d rather celebrate and partner with other designers as we share our stories while blossoming together. A big thing missing from most designers is the PR and visibility efforts that I can provide. I am most proud of getting my designs and writing in fashion or regular magazines. It feels amazing to know I can contribute to giving visibility to creative business owners. My journey was a curvy, windy and long path. I was in finance and corporate for many years while trying to discover my purpose or passion. It wasn’t until I took a leap of faith that things started happening. Guiding me to my passion after passion, that developed into a purpose.
First was the passion for fashion and creating my own eye-catching collection. While trying to market the clothing line, I discovered the second passion. It was an idea I had that popped into my mind “why not create a talk show and wear my designs for people to see.” I am naturally drawn to people in the fashion & entertainment industry and instantly fell in love with hosting. I love getting to know people, their backgrounds and cultures. Which led me into the third passion. Upon doing an interview, an interviewee of mine mentioned I was giving editorial vibes. Then aligned my purpose. Uniquely Victoria is to help expose those queens and jacks of all trades to the world. Whether it be with fashion, host interviewing or written articles/PR services. Bringing notice to those who are underrepresented, but very talented at their craft. Fashion is a very tough industry, regardless of what field you’re in and coupling that with being a minority. It’s an important balance of trying to stick your morals and creativity but yet get some visibility. There are truly some great fashion designers out there who don’t get the visibility they deserve, because we are dealing with dominating fashion houses & celebrities, or bigger names. Nowadays, having a big marketing and PR budget for a fashion brand is a necessity. How I overcome challenges is one, I never give up. That isn’t to say you don’t have rough days where you want too but at the end of the day I still push on. Two, I am always trying to find a way. I try my best not to rely on one thing to make my business a success. I try multiple things to see what works, what needs to be different or what completely isn’t working for my business. An important lesson is don’t compare your business to anyone else’s. What may work for them doesn’t mean it’s meant to work for you. Being an entrepreneur is truly figuring out your own path to success and what fit’s into your brand meaning.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Man, this is a good but tough question. Miami is known for it’s partying, yachting and more partying (laughs). Honestly, there is so much more to this city, but the beach is a definite for any guest of mine. Wynwood is also a definite spot, there is an art gallery that has unique and cool art, plus tons of restaurants to go to. Beaker Grey has been one of my favorites. There are tons of places to shop and the fashion scene is truly starting to grow. Another place to eat is Crazy About You in Brickell, it’s got a cool lounge inside plus dining. Then outside you are along the water for beautiful scenery. There are plenty of parks to go to such as Margaret Pace Park. There is glow in the dark bowling at basement Miami which is an interesting way to bowl. Then Miami has a thing for brunch so my favorite brunch spot is Honey Uninhibited which is such a fun place.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There is a specific person who has seen things in me I didn’t see in myself and one person who has always believed in me. Kimaya McPherson who is a bridal couture fashion designer who I went to interview once. Acknowledged all of these things she saw within what I was trying to accomplish. With her comments it helped me discover my purpose and not only that she officially became one of my clients. Then the person who has always believed in me is my co-collaborator Ticha Maenga who is a manufacturer and fashion designer.
Website: www.uniquelyvictoria.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/uniquelyvictoria & www.instagram.com/uniquelyvictoriamedia
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-lee-0a145a59/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphdoDiGeeS4UI_HaOjTVNA
Image Credits
The modeling pictures: Fashion Photographer is Andre Scheidt, Fashion Stylist is Sherie Renell