Courtesy of Brandin Vaughn
If you visit Brandin Vaughn Collection on Cherokee Street, which opened last week, you'll typically find the namesake designer there sewing an item himself on the shop floor as he greets customers. All items in the store are made individually by hand—not mass produced.
A native of University City, Vaughn studied fashion design at the Art Institute of Chicago. He cites the low cost of living and having a support system as the main factors in his decision to leave Chicago and bring his fashion to St. Louis.
Courtesy of Brandin Vaughn
Brandin Vaughn
“You can start a grass-roots business here and get more bang for your buck,” says Vaughn. With the extra money he earns from conducting his business out of St. Louis, Vaughn is able to travel to Chicago and LA to source fabric and materials for his designs.
The designer’s clientele is a wide range of women, spanning from teenagers looking for a prom dress to Vivica Fox. Vaughn describes his style as “classic sophistication with an edge.” He designs with three people in mind: his wife, his mother, and his 8-year-old-daughter.
Vaughn also draws from the diversity of his everyday life. “When I was operating in the Delmar Loop, my inspiration was literally people walking past my window,” he says.
Courtesy of Brandin Vaughn
Vaughn first realized he could make a living as a designer when he was in high school. Girls would bring him jeans, and he would charge them $20 to make them into a denim skirt. One day, a classmate saw him sketching a dress and asked if she could have the drawing. She liked his design so much that she had it made and showed up to prom in the dress he drew. Seeing his creation come to life made Vaughn realize that his talent was a gift he wanted to share.
Vaughn has always been a supporter of fellow artists. His store also sells unique products from Amonoe, Debdragonfly Studio, Eyekon, Lighten Stein Lamps, and Panda Candles.
Brandin Vaughn Collection is located at 2604 Cherokee. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11a.m.–7p.m. and Sunday, noon–5 p.m.
