THE VIBE:
VINNY's Goes To London

London stands alone, with a unique spirit like no other. That’s why we chose its streets as the backdrop for our VINNY's autumn/winter 2024 shoot, featuring faces that capture London’s distinct energy. With world-class stores, art, music, and food, it’s the perfect focus for this edition of The Vibe. Here, VINNY’s founder Virgil Nicholas reflects on his deep connection to the city.

"Picture this: I’m walking near Piccadilly Circus, heading for the subway. Out of nowhere, a middle-aged woman—clearly fresh from her high-powered consultancy job – rushes past and gives me a little shoulder bump. No big deal, right? Out of instinct, I say, ´I’m sorry,´ and she whips around with, ´Yeah, you will be.´ That moment stuck with me for years. London always felt like the definition of hustle – a bit too fast, a bit too much.

But let me tell you, London, I’ve come around. Sure, you’re still quick, but now I see the energy, the youth, the incredible food from every corner of the world, and your unmatched cultural mix. Football, too, obviously. And you're still the city where I bought my first Reebok Classics at the age of 13, because where else? And then there’s the pub culture– something we’ve come to love after countless work trips. We even have a phrase for that post-work vibe: ´bandit fever.´ It’s that magical moment when one pint turns into two, and before you know it, you’re staying out just a little longer because the vibe is just too good to leave. At VINNY’s, we’re all about riding that vibe." – Virg

We also had a chance to catch up with our friend Tega Alexander, who starred in our most recent autumn/winter 2024 campaign, shot on location in London. We talked to him while on set.

Briefly, can you just introduce yourself, what’s your name and what you do for a living?
My name is Tega Alexander, I would call myself an all-around creative. I do a lot of things, really.

What’s the greatest thing about living in London?
A: There’s a certain energy in London, I think that it inspires you in almost every corner. There’s something about it, there’s a fire in London that keeps you going, I think. I think that, for me, is one of the greatest things. Also, you get a chance to meet a lot of like-minded people quite easily and quite organically.

Did you idolise anyone growing up?
I idolised a bunch of people growing up. A lot of them were actors, so people like Will Smith. I loved Will Smith’s transition from comedy to blockbuster films and huge action films and everything else like that. I thought it was dope. Obviously, I idolised Denzel Washington. I would say those two stood out.

Why is it important for you to make an effort?
I think it’s important to make an effort in everything that you do, in the way you dress and the way you carry yourself, because that’s the energy that you put out into the world. And I think if you put out the right energy into the world, you’re going to get the right energy back. I think it just also sets a standard for yourself as a person in the way that you carry yourself and allows people to also treat you the way that you want to be treated and a certain level of love and respect that you deserve as well, I think.