We had the good fortune of connecting with Victor Salinas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Victor, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Growing up in the early 2000s, I was a huge fan of sneaker culture and streetwear. I’d frequent the Hypebeast.com forums, subscribe to SoleCollector, and read TheHundreds blog. Basically, I was in love with the entire streetwear culture. At that time there wasn’t many streetwear boutiques outside of Premium Goods and The Tipping Point. So I did a lot of my shopping online when online shopping wasn’t the go to option. I’d collect t-shirts from Diamond Supply, Kanye tour shirts, etc. and marry them with the newest Dunks or Jordans.

Fast forward a few years and I was attending the University of Houston and studying at the business school. During that time I started to formulate what would eventually become the streetwear brand TRILLVILL HOUSTON.

The idea started with creating a brand that would encompass the different cultures of Houston that I grew up loving: Houston hip-hop, local shops and attractions, and the city’s sports teams. In 2006, I was listening to Slim Thug’s Already Platinum, watching T-Mac and Yao, and eating Shipleys Donuts… how could I bottle that into a brand? This birthed TRILLVILL HOUSTON. The name itself is short for TRILLEST VILLAGE in HOUSTON. TRILLVILL’s mission is to promote the deep rooted culture of Houston through quality products and services.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I studied Economics and Business at the University of Houston. This helped me start a brand, but ultimately I learned more after graduating. Building and running a clothing brand helped me learn digital marketing and advertising. This propelled my professional career and I have had the chance to work at some of the biggest digital advertising agencies in Houston and the country.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Eat at Pappadeux Drink at Preslees in the Heights
Visit the Museum District
Hang out at Herman Park

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely want to shoutout my brother, Samuel Salinas, who is the other half of the brand. He created great custom pieces that helped the brand grow early on. He’s one of my biggest inspirations when designing.

Also big shoutout to Premium Goods and Faded Decade for stocking our clothes! Shoutouts go to the city’s streetwear culture: Especial HTX, Outlaw, 75th and Canal, Ridin Dirty, SlumpedBoyzz, plus everyone else out there hustling their vision.

Website: Trillvillhou.com

Instagram: @trillvillhou

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