An Inspired Chat with J Vaughn of New York

We recently had the chance to connect with J Vaughn and have shared our conversation below.

J, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Right now, I’m being called to move with more identity, to handle situations that require me to be grounded in who I am and what I represent. There was a time when I’d stay behind the vision, letting the work speak instead of my own voice. But I’m realizing that the person behind the art matters just as much as the art itself. These days, I’m stepping into spaces that challenge me to lead with both creativity and character. It’s about standing firm in my values and letting that guide how I show up whether it’s in my work, relationships, or leadership.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jason Vaughn, and I’m a multifaceted creative building a personal brand rooted in culture, style, and intentional storytelling. My work spans fashion shows, visual campaigns, short-form film, and collaborative projects, creating experiences and imagery that feel real, emotional, and culturally grounded. I’m at a point in my journey where I’m not trying to fit into one title. Everything I do is about shaping perspective, how we see ourselves, how we present, and how our identities show up in the world.Right now, I’m focused on expanding the scale of my work and refining my personal brand, stepping into bigger rooms, connecting with new collaborators, and building visuals and experiences that resonate beyond aesthetics.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that tried to prove myself has done its job. For a long time, I was moving through rooms trying to show that I deserved to be there , letting other people’s expectations shape how hard I worked, how I showed up, and what I poured into my projects. It got me far, but it came with a weight. Now I’m releasing that version of myself. I don’t need to operate from a place of “let me show you.” I’m transitioning into a space of “I know who I am, and I’ll move from that.” My work, my presence, and my ability to create don’t have to be justified.

Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
As a recent graduate, I miss the kind of community you don’t have to look for, the type that just exists around you. In college, everybody was in the same grind, the same stress, the same excitement, and the same confusion about who we were becoming. You didn’t have to schedule time to see people or force connection, it was just there.
There was something special about knowing you could walk out of your room and instantly be around people who were dreaming big with you, rooting for you, challenging you, and laughing through the chaos. Now that life is moving fast, adulthood has everyone scattered, building their own direction and pace. I’m proud of that, but I do miss the closeness and the everyday community that felt effortless and constant.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies is that creativity is only valuable when it’s attached to a big budget, a big name, or a big platform. Some of the most powerful ideas come from people working with nothing but passion and resourcefulness, but the industry doesn’t celebrate that until it becomes profitable. Another lie is that individuality is encouraged. The industry loves originality until it actually shows up, then suddenly everyone wants it “different, but not too different.” People say they want new ideas, but a lot of rooms are still chasing whatever already went viral.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m creating or traveling , and honestly, it’s for the same reason. Both put me in a space where I’m fully present. When I’m building a concept or directing a visual, nothing else exists for a moment. Time slows down, and I get to lock in with the idea, the energy, and the emotion I’m trying to pull forward. Traveling gives me that same stillness in a different way. New places remind me how big the world is and how small the pressure really is. I love the feeling of landing somewhere new and instantly stepping outside of routine, it resets me, inspires me, and reminds me that life is supposed to be experienced, not just worked through.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @embroind
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-vaughn-

Image Credits
@alyssiadeannephoto