Today we’d like to introduce you to Vinny Belmont.
Hi Vinny, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started The Stoned Aesthetic as a hail mary of an attempt to claw my way out of corporate America. I was actually doing pretty well but I was in sales for a big wireless company and it just lacked the soul and creative aspects of life that I need in order to be happy. I wasn’t actually shore what it would even be, which is why I named it something general, so it could become anything. I landed on shoes because it felt like a cool idea for a canvas to learn how to paint and do stonework on. Shoes are on the smaller side when compared to other articles of clothing and fashion so it didn’t seem too intimidating.
I was happy to see they were well received. Of course I had my haters that said my shoes were tacky and way over the top. That didn’t bother me though. I am quite aware I cover streetwear in shiny crystals so I very much so expected that kind of reaction as well. What I didn’t expect was for it to become my bread and butter.
5 years later I am still in business and have actually built myself a pretty impressive rolodex of clients. I’ve been hired by big brands such as Red Bull, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Livenation. I’ve designed for big names like Rampage Jackson, Stevie Nicks, The Rockettes, and many more to come in 2026.
My plan is to create a team this year so I can not only elevate my own work but to start bringing others along on the journey with me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Dear God no. Not smooth at all. I have been through the ringer learning how to survive in this world as an artist. I sacrificed everything I had to keep my head above water while I figured it all out. I definitely wasted thousands of dollars going in directions I thought I needed to go before I learned how to navigate the world of small business ownership. Even now, 5 years later I have so much to learn about managing my own time, skillset, and the future of what I want The Stoned Aesthetic to become.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve definitely caught people’s eye because of my chosen medium. I’ve become somewhat known for placing luxury crystals all over sneakers. I create a “glass slipper” like effect by completely covering popular shoe models in the streetwear world mostly, but recently have expanded into designer shoes as well. I think that is what has immediately separated me from other designers in the sneaker world.
And as for what i’m most proud of.. That’s probably the gig I got with The Rockettes of New York City. I am a born and raised New Yorker and the Rockettes are a huge part of NYC history. I made a pair of crystal shoes sent to me by an actual Rockette and we raffled them off at their 100 year anniversary gala and all of the money went to Tunnels to Towers, a charity foundation for the victims and families of the victims of 9/11. That’s what i’m most proud of.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by how much freedom I have to live the life I would like to live. Have I achieved enough to help others and give to those climbing the mountain behind me? That’s success. Can I take a 10 day break from work to be able to travel the world and experience different cultures and food? That’s success. I want to make the world a better place and to experience it all along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheStonedAesthetic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincenz_/?hl=en
Image Credits
Chiga Imaging
