Victoria Adesanmi was born in Silver Spring, Maryland and raised in a traditional Nigerian household, ultimately defying the traditional expectations to pursue a creative career. After earning her bachelor’s degree in industrial design with a minor in textile technology at North Carolina State University, she went onto work as a color and material designer at Adidas for collaborators such as Beyoncé and Jonah Hill. After a bold realization (more on that below), she pivoted towards interiors, launching Aesthetics Studios, a multidisciplinary design studio that focuses on interior design, creative direction, and everyday objects through reimagination and storytelling. Take 5 Minutes With Victoria to learn more about that realization, her sources of inspiration, and what she has planned next. 

MY LIGHT-BULB MOMENT:
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had a passion for interior design, and I love it so much. However, in 2017 I attended a Jay-Z concert in Portland, OR and I gave my homegirl an entire dissertation regarding the stage design. I kid you not, an article came out the following week in Architectural Digest and it included everything I had mentioned. And for me, that was the wink from God I needed to officially expand my career into interior design. 

I’m a firm believer, God will give you a wink more than once, so if you’re reading this pay attention to those nudges. 

I CAN’T START MY DAY UNTIL:
I pray and spend time with God to set my intentions for the day. I also can’t start my day without my iced matcha latte.

SUCCESS IS:
Staying committed to the process and the journey regardless of what it may look like at times. Showing up.

YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
A bottle of water and my iPhone. I have to stay hydrated, and I love to capture inspiration in real time. 

MY DREAM COLLABORATION:
I have way too many to mention, but ultimately my dream would be to collaborate with brands who sit outside of interior design. I love approaching collaborations in an unconventional way and I think it would be dope to bring my design sensibilities to a brand who is outside of my world. 

THE ONLY PLACE BETTER THAN LOS ANGELES:
As of today, Mexico City. I’m obsessed. However, ask me again in a couple of weeks because it may be Tokyo. 

WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED:
A few things! I love to travel, so I’ll probably book a trip. There’s something beautiful about the art of discovery and leaving an environment you’re familiar with to be present in a new city. I also love to watch runway shows to pull fashion inspiration. Lastly, I love to watch documentaries and listen to interviews of people that I admire. 

ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Stop worrying so much because everything will work itself out. It’s funny because I can’t even tell you what I was worried about 5 years ago. 

IN 5 YEARS, FIND ME:
Designing your favorite boutique hotel. 

ABOVE ALL ELSE: 
Trust your gut. It will never lead you astray.