Aurora James Shares Her Firsts

My first word was no.

My last word's also usually no.

I say no a million times a day,

so I'm a pretty consistent human.

No.

(jazzy music)

Hey, Teen Vogue!

My name is Aurora James.

I'm the creative director and founder of the label

Brother Vellies and I'm here to play a game of firsts.

My first lesson from mom,

it was like her very hardcore rule.

Do not have the TV and the radio on

at the same time because you'll be giving

both of them the least attention.

Make sure everything that you're spending money on

is actually making you just as much or more.

When my

first boss fired me.

My first role model was Scary Spice from the Spice Girls.

She was the only one I'd ever seen

that kind of looked like me.

First CD. Janet Jackson.

It was black and white

and she sang that song Runaway.

I actually bought a pair of Christian Dior moon boots

with my first big job,

and I feel like they were an entire paycheck,

and it was so regrettable but so awesome at the same time.

(laughs)

I don't think I've done that yet.

I don't think I've done that yet.

I actually think for me it'll be like when I retire,

or when I have a child,

or when I have something that's a personal

life goal versus a business goal.

My Vellies. Our desert boots.

Probably would have been our Spring Box sandal,

which is a furry sandal made in South Africa.

First time I realized I could actually work

towards my dreams was when I was in high school

and I was like, I have no free time because

I have way too many chores.

But that's how I made my allowance.

I actually realize that I could hire someone else

to mow the lawn,

and then I would get the chore done

and still have the free time,

and essentially,

that's business.

If you keep going and keep working,

eventually at some point you'll have more free time.

It hasn't happened for me yet,

but I'm hopeful for the future.

It worked in high school.