Meet Velvet Lattimore | Boutique Owner & Accessories Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Velvet Lattimore and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Velvet, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
When a creative makes money, it empowers a community to grow economically. My ecommerce platform provides financial opportunities for emerging designers to receive sales while building a customer base through Vedazzling Accessories. Vedazzling connects designers with an extensive customer list and event space for yearly pop ups . In 2018 Vedazzling Accessories partnered with Hetrick Martin Institute (HMI) to hire and mentor LGBTQ teens after the internship with Vedazzling ends. I have helped place teens in other paid employment. Vedazzling Accessories has community ties with the Sisters of New York Muslim Youth Organization hosting past pop up events and entrepreneurship speaking engagements at events in the Dumbo section of Brooklyn. Through countless community festivals and events Vedazzling Accessories continues to help others learn about entrepreneurship.

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?
Vedazzling Accessories boutique is an accessory e-boutique that showcases black and brown accessory designers. When I first started this journey as a fashion retailer, I thought what would make my boutique different than others and why would someone want to shop with me? And at that time and year, customers were finally seeking ways to buy black and that is the direction I started towards. Many of my friends were struggling designers who just needed an opportunity and I was that opportunity. I started featuring my designer friends in my boutique reselling their products. I not only resell unique accessory pieces but 60% of my products are made locally and are handmade by local black designers. I host yearly fashion presentations with Vedazzling Accessories shining light on designers giving them a space to sell and network helping to grow their client list plus being found with a different audience. Vedazzling was apart of the buy black movement years ago when it was not as popular as it is today it makes me happy to see other boutiques now have similar platforms and it shows growth in the retail industry. I am so proud that I am able to provide financial opportunities daily for black designers at my store. That keeps me going each day!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I hardly get breaks it would also be a treat for me to hang with friends check out some of my favorite places and places I am dying to go to. Monday- I would start with a relaxing morning at Sojo spa in NJ only 30 mins away from Manhattan after hanging for the day feeling super chill we would then head to Apotheke NoMad, NYC on 26th street. Catch a drink at a cool old school speakeasy. The next day a Tuesday we would take in shopping in Brooklyn heading to my favorite vintage shop, Indigo Style Vintage to shop for the latest vintage treats and support a cool black owned business walk down to Rococo Design to shop for luxury home goods. Still keeping it black head to my favorite black owned tea spot Hibiscus Brew for a smooth glass of Sorrel after shopping hard. Head over to Dumbo and hang out at the Brooklyn Bridge Park taking in the best sight of the city hang out at the park and have lunch at the food trucks, walk over to CAM the Brooklyn based artist to see new artwork at his gallery, do more black owned shopping at Glam Expressway, we can take a ferry boat back over to Manhattan and have dinner at Omar’s Kitchen and Rum bar for great Caribbean flavor. Taking it uptown to the Bronx my hometown on a Wed brunch at I-nine Bistro for great unlimited mimosa and African cuisine in their luscious garden, then head over to the Bronx Art Center for a gallery tour and supporting local black artists. Next heading over to the ferry point park in the Bronx to relax by the water and get more great pictures and views of Queens while the sunsets. Thursday moving on to Harlem shop at the Brownstone Woman boutique for women’s clothing and accessories, Next Framed by Tee Tee for custom set of frames more black owned retail therapy. Have dinner at Mintons for a night of Harlem jazz. Friday morning start the day with rock climbing in Harlem at the Cliffs of Harlem lunch after at the Chipped Cup in Harlem. Take a stroll along Hudson River- The Riverside Drive heading over to Taiji Body Work Spa for full body massages and relaxation. Dinner on the water in Harlem at The Baylander.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am so grateful and thankful for the past employers who never made the work environment comfortable. I worked tirelessly at jobs nurturing other companies dreams and sacrificing time with family only to not receive any acknowledgment or a raise. I always felt like an outsider at jobs and it wasn’t until I was laid off from my final job that I realized a traditional 9 to 5 was not for me. Creating Vedazzling Accessories has been the most fulfilling thing I have done in my life becoming an entrepreneur was who I was meant to be and I  thank each past boss for pushing me to that journey. Now I help other black and brown designers win and get the shine they deserve.

Website: https://vedazzlingaccessories.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vedazzling

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/velvet-lattimore-3107315/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/vedazzling

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VedazzlingAccessories/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/VedazzlingAccessorie

Image Credits
Photographer: Hugh Gladstone IG : @hughgladstone