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A Day With: Virgil Nicholas
In this episode of the ’A Day With’ series, we meet Virgil Nicholas, founder and Creative Director of Vinny’s, to talk about his relationship with design, style and his inspiration.
Foto: Gustaf Peterson
Text: Sofie Paulsson
For those who don’t know our good friend Virgil, you’re in for a treat! We met him in his showroom in the city centre of Copenhagen on a sunny early-spring morning, met by a comforting smell of insense when climbing the few steps down into the loafer-filled space. Despite his young age of 29, Virgil has a decade of work in the fashion and lifestyle industry on his resumé, working as a fashion consultant for brands such as NN07, GANT and Tommy Hilfiger. Last year he immersed himself in one of his own creative ideas and started the shoe brand Vinny’s, also known as Vinny’s The Vibe.
“I’ve always had a lot of ideas and I like to challenge them, so when I see a concept or a product my mind automatically starts questioning how I can take it to the next level. I reached a point in my life when I wanted to start working on my own ideas and concepts, and that’s when Vinny’s came to be.”
Virgil’s life is highly dynamic and intensely social. He’s constantly on the move between showrooms and meetings, and whilst also being a father to a two-year-old, he tells us that his view on good design directly correlates to how well the object fits into his busy life. Virgil often turns to Japanese design when looking for products that encompass these qualities, and OrSlow has been a long-time favourite, go-to brand in his wardrobe. He likes the way his pieces from the brand age and how they thrive, the more they are used.
“Design to me is all about durability and longevity. I like things that last and that can endure being used, so when I purchase things, I always ask myself “Will this fit and endure my lifestyle?”. Obviously, there’s also an aesthetic side to it, and if I can find things that are equally beautiful and practical, then I’m a happy guy.”
Virgil continues telling us about his style, and that it’s been inspired by many different eras and people in his life, mostly by his parents’ background and hiphop culture. His parents brought him and his brothers to Paris every summer, where they bought clothes for the boys. The clothes were inspired by their own upbringings in Congo, where their school days were spent in uniforms. So classic pieces, like oxford shirts, chinos and penny loafers have since day one influenced Virgils view on how one can dress and how versatile the wardrobe can be.
“That’s why the penny loafer was the starting point for Vinny’s. It’s such a versatile element that works with every wardrobe, it’s not just a shoe – it’s part of a lifestyle. The second you put on a penny loafer it elevates your whole demeanor.”
More often than not, you can find Virgil with his warm smile and infectious laugh at The Union Kitchen, a beloved local hotspot known for its weekend brunch. He calls it a second home, where he can spend hours upon hours sitting, enjoying a glass of wine while friends and family drop by.
“I’m driven by people and interaction. It’s those sudden conversations that just happen, in everyday life, that thrill me. I have amazing people around me that have achieved great things by working hard, so I often look to them to find inspiration in my own work.”
“I’ve always had a lot of ideas and I like to challenge them, so when I see a concept or a product my mind automatically starts questioning how I can take it to the next level. I reached a point in my life when I wanted to start working on my own ideas and concepts, and that’s when Vinny’s came to be.”
Virgil’s life is highly dynamic and intensely social. He’s constantly on the move between showrooms and meetings, and whilst also being a father to a two-year-old, he tells us that his view on good design directly correlates to how well the object fits into his busy life. Virgil often turns to Japanese design when looking for products that encompass these qualities, and OrSlow has been a long-time favourite, go-to brand in his wardrobe. He likes the way his pieces from the brand age and how they thrive, the more they are used.
“Design to me is all about durability and longevity. I like things that last and that can endure being used, so when I purchase things, I always ask myself “Will this fit and endure my lifestyle?”. Obviously, there’s also an aesthetic side to it, and if I can find things that are equally beautiful and practical, then I’m a happy guy.”
Virgil continues telling us about his style, and that it’s been inspired by many different eras and people in his life, mostly by his parents’ background and hiphop culture. His parents brought him and his brothers to Paris every summer, where they bought clothes for the boys. The clothes were inspired by their own upbringings in Congo, where their school days were spent in uniforms. So classic pieces, like oxford shirts, chinos and penny loafers have since day one influenced Virgils view on how one can dress and how versatile the wardrobe can be.
“That’s why the penny loafer was the starting point for Vinny’s. It’s such a versatile element that works with every wardrobe, it’s not just a shoe – it’s part of a lifestyle. The second you put on a penny loafer it elevates your whole demeanor.”
More often than not, you can find Virgil with his warm smile and infectious laugh at The Union Kitchen, a beloved local hotspot known for its weekend brunch. He calls it a second home, where he can spend hours upon hours sitting, enjoying a glass of wine while friends and family drop by.
“I’m driven by people and interaction. It’s those sudden conversations that just happen, in everyday life, that thrill me. I have amazing people around me that have achieved great things by working hard, so I often look to them to find inspiration in my own work.”
