We’re back with a new guest tastemaker for some quick-fire questions and a mini-curation of some fab Chairish finds!
This week, we’re speaking with Victoria Adesanmi, a true renaissance woman who has dipped her toes in fashion, interior design, creative direction, and more. She launched her career as a color and material designer at Adidas where she worked on footwear products in collaboration with A-listers like Kanye West, Jonah Hill, and Beyoncé. But, after a lifetime of being enamored by the world of interior design, Victoria took the plunge last year and launched Aesthetics Studio, a multi-disciplinary creative and interior design studio based in Los Angeles. Victoria’s firm focuses on creating comfortable, customized interiors filled with sensory elements, touch points, and personalized pieces.
Read on to hear about how Victoria elevates a space into an experience, her love for design books, and why she thinks Rihanna is the pinnacle of fashion!
What sparked your passion for design?
If I could pinpoint one thing it would be my curiosity. I’ve been creative since I came out of my mother’s womb and did everything under the sun from fine arts to helping my dad do improvements around our family home. Growing up in a traditional Nigerian household, I knew I wanted to defy what was expected of me and pursue a creative career. This led me to study industrial design at North Carolina State University and design shoes for some of your favorite artists and athletes as a color and material designer at Adidas for over five years.
However, I’ve always had an obsession for interior design for as long as I can remember and decided to pursue my passion and expand my career, which led me to launch Aesthetics Studios—a multidisciplinary design studio that focuses on interior design, creative direction, and everyday objects through storytelling and re-imagination.
Not only is your studio focused on interiors, but also on experience. What do you think are elements vital to elevating a room into an experience?
Storytelling for sure, which is all found in the details through touch points and personalization. What I love most about interior design is how a space can evoke an emotion. As an interior designer, empathy is always at the forefront of my design process. When working directly with a client, I’m constantly thinking about how to make their space a unique experience for them. It’s everything from activating sensory elements to space planning.
What is the most outstanding design element you’ve ever incorporated into a space?
For a former client’s mezzanine, I opted for a faux cement wall by Meoded Paint. It’s quite a small space, so I wanted to create a statement wall that would focus attention and bring the space together cohesively. The wall is a speciality paint finish and my client would always tell me her guests think it’s real concrete. Mission accomplished!
Who is your ultimate style icon, and why?
Rihanna. She is that gworllll! She can literally wear anything and everything and do no wrong in my eyes.
Do you collect anything? What sparked your interest in collecting that item?
I’m a sucker for design books. If I’m traveling to another country, just know I’ve already planned to stop at the local bookstore. While the internet can be a great resource for inspiration, books are even better! I constantly make an effort to train my design eye and stay inspired. Can’t lie, I also get nervous that if everyone is going to the internet for inspiration, everything will start to look the same and that’s no fun.
