ABOUT

Hi!  I’m Vicki Ostrom – and this is my chance to introduce myself to you! Like most of you – I’ve had a unique path in the creation of my career.

COSTUME DESIGNER

Straight out of High School, I earned a degree in costume design.  I was in love with how clothing was made and how you unlocked the “why” behind what each character in a play would wear.  I worked in that world both as a costume designer and as a stitcher in costume shops from Seattle to New York City, learning my craft and meeting some of the most creative people in the world. 

APPAREL DESIGNER

As years went by, I added to my story with a degree in apparel design, exploring the “why” behind each brand I worked with – what would that customer want to wear?  As an apparel designer, I travelled the world for companies such as Tommy Bahama, Eddie Bauer and JCPenney, learning how to see, how to shop (seriously, there is an art to it!) and the intricacies about how apparel gets from an idea on a page to an IRL item you can wear.

SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGIST

Through these careers, I have developed a love for social anthropology and exploring the “why” of trend and of design and of the products we make and that we buy. This combination of career backgrounds as well as the life experiences gained living in Seattle, Austin and New York City has provided first-hand exposure to the rich variety of culture and style that makes the world so fascinating.

TREND TRANSLATOR

Eight years-ago I started a full-tilt exploration of what I call trend translation. My passion has become looking at what a trend is, understanding why trends develop and then watching as those trends turn into products, brand activations, visual merchandising and experiences.

The bottom line is, I’ve always been a maker – and while I used to make costumes and clothing, now I make sense of the world by understanding trends and sharing with others how these ways that we are living as a society become real, tangible products.  It’s fascinating and it’s rewarding to work with brands to examine who their characters (customers) are, how they live (trends) and what products they want to surround themselves with (sales).

Thank you for taking the journey with me as I explore and interpret trends. You are obviously a progressive business person who loves to be ahead of the curve!  Let’s OBSERVE, INTERPRET and ACTIVATE the most current trends for your business. Your customers will love you for it and your brand story will reflect what you know in the form of sales.  Knowledge is power — $$$.

Let’s go!

V.