Victor Hou
1. Born and raised in NW Washington DC.
2. I graduated from McKinley Tech High School, class of 1980
3. Actually, I started creating before I learned how to sew. I won best dressed my year in school, wearing thrift store clothes. I would take them to one of my local tailors for alterations. At that time, we were wearing what we called old man pants, baggy,l and pleated. I didn't like the crotch hanging so low, so I would get him to raise the crotch, and taper my sport coats. I had a unique style, and always wanted to be different, so I would also take him material to make pants for me. I was actually dying the fabric the color I wanted. I needed one credit to graduate, and I was in the counselor's office looking through the course book. I saw sewing, and I was like, "That's the class with all those girls in there, I'm going in there with them!", not even really thinking about sewing! I got in there, and really took interest in it. My teacher gave every student a standard caftan pattern to get started. That was too easy, I didn't want that. I wanted something hard. I went to the fabric store and got a vest pattern, with lapels and four welt pockets, one of the hardest things you can do in tailoring. I don't think I ever finished it, but I did work on my prom outfit, and that was the first ensemble I ever made!
4. My philosophy was to be unique, express your creativity, and set yourself apart from the crowd. I dressed for the women. I always got compliments wearing purple, pink, etc. The more they complimented me, the more I wore it! I made a lot of plaid pants, with matching colorful Polo shirts and socks. They loved it! I started getting requests from women to make clothes for them. I would go downtown to Garfinckel's, and other better department stores, to examine the top designer brands. I would turn garments inside out to see how they were made. They would call security on me, because they thought I was trying to pop the alarm sensors off and steal! I would go home to copy the craftsmanship that I saw, because I wanted my designs to look like these, and not like they were homemade. At that time in the early 80's, Perry Ellis, Willie Smith, and Pierre Cardin were popular, among others. I closely followed their work. My buddy, Jazz Phifer, started in that sewing class with me. We created the clothing brand, Vic & Jazz, and went on to make a name for ourselves in the DC area.
5. Jhaz (as he now spells his name) founded the DC Fashion Tailoring Institute in recent years. He conducted sewing classes in DC recreation centers. When the pandemic hit, of course, the classes had to close down. He partnered with the DC Dream Center (which is part of the infamous Southeast White House on Pennsylvania Ave.), to have sewing classes making facemasks, and donating them to the community. Since facemasks were considered essential, he was the only public sewing class in the city allowed to operate. He brought me in as an assistant instructor. Also, I collect and restore vintage sewing machines, and that element was added to the Institute. The students really get a kick out of learning how to operate the treadle and hand crank sewing machines.
6. The DC Dream Center, located at 2826 Q St. S.E., is a spiritual based nonprofit organization, founded by director, Ernest Clover, where the needs of people in our community are met, especially the youth. DC|DC encompasses a spectrum of programs, from low barrier after school activities, to one-on-one mentoring and tutoring, personal development and legal assistance. One person at a time, they inspire youth and adults to dare to dream, and learn to lead so that they reach their God-given potential. They also have a food bank.
7. There have been lots and lots of people making masks since the pandemic. People that didn't even know how to sew have learned just because. I've seen a lot of inferior quality, ill fitting masks on people out in public. It took a while for me to jump on the bandwagon, since it looked like my services weren't needed. I got a lot of requests for masks, so I did my research first, what type of fabrics to use, what are the best filters, which pattern would provide the best fit, etc. Jhaz and I got together, and developed a perfect fitting pattern. Being as though we have always been craftsmen, the masks that we created were of superior quality. That quality was recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department, Metro workers, the deputy mayor, and many others who ordered masks.
8. On January 12th, we start an 8-week pilot program, with sewing classes at Hillcrest Recreation Center on Denver Street SE. After that, we start another one at Emery Heights, on Georgia Avenue NW. We're also slated for one at Riggs Park Center in NE, and another in SW, one in each quadrant of the city.
9. We will be bringing in additional instructors as we expand. Individuals experienced in, but not limited to, fashion design, tailoring, pattern making, embroidery, millinery, Adobe graphics, etc. can send an email to Jhaz at_________,
or myself at [email protected].
10. Due to the pandemic, the climate of retail, and how people shop and dress, has changed drastically. Since so many venues and activities have shut down, people don't have places to go out like we used to. This has caused me to shift my brand aesthetic. The dressy gowns, cocktail dresses, etc take the back burner to more casual, t-shirts, tracksuits, etc. People are just throwing on something easy to run to the grocery store. This Spring, Jhaz and I are relaunching the Vic and Jazz brand, VH & JH, a graphics based streetwear line. The advancements in fabric technology and printing applications (sublimation, etc.), that weren't available when we started out 40 years ago, not to mention social media and the internet, promises that we'll deliver a brand that's innovative, trendsetting, and luxurious.
2. I graduated from McKinley Tech High School, class of 1980
3. Actually, I started creating before I learned how to sew. I won best dressed my year in school, wearing thrift store clothes. I would take them to one of my local tailors for alterations. At that time, we were wearing what we called old man pants, baggy,l and pleated. I didn't like the crotch hanging so low, so I would get him to raise the crotch, and taper my sport coats. I had a unique style, and always wanted to be different, so I would also take him material to make pants for me. I was actually dying the fabric the color I wanted. I needed one credit to graduate, and I was in the counselor's office looking through the course book. I saw sewing, and I was like, "That's the class with all those girls in there, I'm going in there with them!", not even really thinking about sewing! I got in there, and really took interest in it. My teacher gave every student a standard caftan pattern to get started. That was too easy, I didn't want that. I wanted something hard. I went to the fabric store and got a vest pattern, with lapels and four welt pockets, one of the hardest things you can do in tailoring. I don't think I ever finished it, but I did work on my prom outfit, and that was the first ensemble I ever made!
4. My philosophy was to be unique, express your creativity, and set yourself apart from the crowd. I dressed for the women. I always got compliments wearing purple, pink, etc. The more they complimented me, the more I wore it! I made a lot of plaid pants, with matching colorful Polo shirts and socks. They loved it! I started getting requests from women to make clothes for them. I would go downtown to Garfinckel's, and other better department stores, to examine the top designer brands. I would turn garments inside out to see how they were made. They would call security on me, because they thought I was trying to pop the alarm sensors off and steal! I would go home to copy the craftsmanship that I saw, because I wanted my designs to look like these, and not like they were homemade. At that time in the early 80's, Perry Ellis, Willie Smith, and Pierre Cardin were popular, among others. I closely followed their work. My buddy, Jazz Phifer, started in that sewing class with me. We created the clothing brand, Vic & Jazz, and went on to make a name for ourselves in the DC area.
5. Jhaz (as he now spells his name) founded the DC Fashion Tailoring Institute in recent years. He conducted sewing classes in DC recreation centers. When the pandemic hit, of course, the classes had to close down. He partnered with the DC Dream Center (which is part of the infamous Southeast White House on Pennsylvania Ave.), to have sewing classes making facemasks, and donating them to the community. Since facemasks were considered essential, he was the only public sewing class in the city allowed to operate. He brought me in as an assistant instructor. Also, I collect and restore vintage sewing machines, and that element was added to the Institute. The students really get a kick out of learning how to operate the treadle and hand crank sewing machines.
6. The DC Dream Center, located at 2826 Q St. S.E., is a spiritual based nonprofit organization, founded by director, Ernest Clover, where the needs of people in our community are met, especially the youth. DC|DC encompasses a spectrum of programs, from low barrier after school activities, to one-on-one mentoring and tutoring, personal development and legal assistance. One person at a time, they inspire youth and adults to dare to dream, and learn to lead so that they reach their God-given potential. They also have a food bank.
7. There have been lots and lots of people making masks since the pandemic. People that didn't even know how to sew have learned just because. I've seen a lot of inferior quality, ill fitting masks on people out in public. It took a while for me to jump on the bandwagon, since it looked like my services weren't needed. I got a lot of requests for masks, so I did my research first, what type of fabrics to use, what are the best filters, which pattern would provide the best fit, etc. Jhaz and I got together, and developed a perfect fitting pattern. Being as though we have always been craftsmen, the masks that we created were of superior quality. That quality was recognized by the Metropolitan Police Department, Metro workers, the deputy mayor, and many others who ordered masks.
8. On January 12th, we start an 8-week pilot program, with sewing classes at Hillcrest Recreation Center on Denver Street SE. After that, we start another one at Emery Heights, on Georgia Avenue NW. We're also slated for one at Riggs Park Center in NE, and another in SW, one in each quadrant of the city.
9. We will be bringing in additional instructors as we expand. Individuals experienced in, but not limited to, fashion design, tailoring, pattern making, embroidery, millinery, Adobe graphics, etc. can send an email to Jhaz at_________,
or myself at [email protected].
10. Due to the pandemic, the climate of retail, and how people shop and dress, has changed drastically. Since so many venues and activities have shut down, people don't have places to go out like we used to. This has caused me to shift my brand aesthetic. The dressy gowns, cocktail dresses, etc take the back burner to more casual, t-shirts, tracksuits, etc. People are just throwing on something easy to run to the grocery store. This Spring, Jhaz and I are relaunching the Vic and Jazz brand, VH & JH, a graphics based streetwear line. The advancements in fabric technology and printing applications (sublimation, etc.), that weren't available when we started out 40 years ago, not to mention social media and the internet, promises that we'll deliver a brand that's innovative, trendsetting, and luxurious.