SUMMER OF XOXOXO

AT EASE EDITORIAL 2.0

I AM HAPPY I AM HEALTHY I’M AT EASE.

These are a few of my favorite things…..

Inspired by the incredible summer soiree of my friend Grayson-Belle at the Bel Air Hotel replete with swans, lips and love!

All things I adore, with a focus on fashion……

Researching graduation looks at American Rag Co. And thinking about styling next music video ….

AT EASE EDITORIAL 1.0

I AM HAPPY I AM HEALTHY I’M AT EASE.

An Interview with Edie Yvonne and her favorite stylist - Italian born LA based Claudia Cassina - the owner of the Hollywood hotspot Desperate on Hillhurst.

I love Desperate’s mantra and vision:

THIS IS DESPERATE BUT NOT SERIOUS

Fashion is so boring.
Why does everybody cares so much about it? I think fashion is so old fashioned. I’m desperate.
Wanna surf, surf the wave of internet, the wave of a close past. Wanna dance with Adam, wanna sing Rock Lobster.

Not serious.
Maybe I just need a place out there that is mine, where I can do whatever I want.

This is the place. 

Edie Yvonne: How would you define your style?

Claudia Cassina: I would define my style as a mix of surrealism, goth, postmodern-princessy mess :). I really like 60s fashion and I’m very influenced by independent rock.

EY: What is the concept for Desperate?

CC: Desperate started as a independent online magazine in 2014, a place for young writers, photographers, designers, stylist to express themselves freely in the very elitist Milan fashion scene.
It became a concept store in Los Feliz in 2016, a retail store front that features independent designers from all over the world. I tried to curate a space full of conversation pieces made for strong, playful humans who are not afraid to show the world who they are.

EY: Who is your customer?

CC: My customers are weirdos like me! People that are very playful with fashion, that wanna have fun and not take themselves too seriously.

EY: What are you excited about for fall?

CC: House of sunny collection is very fun this fall and KkCo also has some incredible pieces! Cannot wait.

EY: Who are top labels that inspire you and emerging brands that have captured your attention?

CC: For the brands I carry at the store Batsheva, Naya Rea e KkCo are always an inspiration. The maisons that I’m more interested in at the moment are Coperni, Marine Serre, jaquemus, heaven, Maise Wilen, Collina Strada, Ashley Williams, Rui, Dion Lee and Molly Goddard.

EY: You inspire me!

About Desperate: Desperate LA is a boutique in Los Feliz that features independent international designers. Owner Claudia Cassina, after graduating with a degree in fashion design from IED Milano and working as a stylist for several years launched Desperate — a new kind of boutique and opened Desperate LA in 2016.

desperatelosangeles.com

@desperatelosangeles

2.0 THE MEDIUM IS THE MESSAGE.

My text-in-fashion favorite:

Gallery Dept. Stop Being Racist!

Historian and curator Alison Jefferson writes of the SBR Gallery Dept. piece, “Their anti-racism T-shirt is a voice of creative resistance claiming public space through art to make a wider public more aware of the social and political issues continuing to face people of color and society generally, to help empower this public in shaping broader conversations and stirring them to take steps to build a more just and equitable society.”

I was fortunate enough to participate in an intimate kids workshop during the pandemic with artist and designer Josue Thomas of Gallery Dept. called Art of Reflection where our ideas and designs showed up on limited editions tees sold at Gallery Dept. It was a magical experience to have had the gift to be a part of the design and artistic process. The items that came out of the workshop included my friend Nigel’s hand written personal note “ I Miss My Friends,” and “Alone in Silence” on GD tees. Proceeds from these limited editions went to scholarships for talented youth in the community as well as the charity Art of Elysium. Josue embodies an artist / designer who is driven by generosity and concerned with giving back to the community as well as being in dialogue with the next generation.

This bag that my mom and I share has a manifesto from the artist that reads: “You have a destination. On your route, curiosity pays you a visit. It behooves you to explore alternate roads. You choose another path and discover a new altitude of humanity that you never imagined. Navigating life with the utmost freedom, conceiving of abundance of beauty. Acquiring inspiration and compassion provoking admiration and attraction. There is no greater plan for the artist, her calling has already been closed. To be certain of your destination means you will always be at the right place at the right time.”

@gallerydepartment

gallerydept.com

3.0 FLOWER POWER

Floral pattern obsessions beyond spring and summer, even for fall. Some research for my next music video…..

Highlights by Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet

Rococo Floral / And I can’t stop obsessing over Selkie floral dresses, jumpsuits, and pullovers. Selkie was first introduced to me by stylist Claudia Cassina of Desperate. I’m wearing two of their dresses in my music video With the Light. (Below: Me Seen in front of floral wall by Pretend Plants & Flowers, designed by Ezra Woods and Michael Woodcock. @pretendplantsandflowers

pretendplantsandflowers.com

PS - they are opening Pretend Malibu in the country mart in September.

She styled my short film At Ease and Bat Mitzvah party too. LA Artist and stylist Ava Shire is the daughter of the art and design legend Peter Shire. Here are some of her painted plants and canvases available at Neighborhood Salon in Eagle Rock and featured in the Street & the Shop at the Bradbury building downtown this summer.

@neighborhoodsalon

avashire.com

My new favorite fuchsia floral Mozh Mozh Shiraz crochet knit from Desperate on Hillhurst.

Quick stop at Stars Gallery in Hollywood off the Walk of Fame to see an exhibition of photography by Clifford Prince King.

4.0 BACK TO SCHOOL CHIC

5.0 #NOTBORING

Inspired!

My mom constantly complains that everything is boring. But Wednesday night, we went to Candice and Darren Romanelli’s collaborative energetic exhibit in the Hollywood hills on their Anniversary at Albertz Benda behind Chateau Marmont featuring ceramics, candles, succulents, and furniture.

I also met the designer Rebecca Wright of the line Psychic Outlaw from Austin, bought a handmade dress and corset and got measured for a new jumpsuit. She works with recycled and vintage materials including bandanas, tablecloths, quilts and you can personalize the pieces with embroidery of your name if you wish.

@psychic.outlaw

psychicoutlaw.com

6.0 LISTEN

LA musician Jack Xander’s new video entitled Therapy Whistle can now be viewed on youtube.

Jack shared a bit about the concept for the song and video and his approach, style, sound and influences….

JX: I would describe my sound as something between Adam Green and Metronomy (maybe psychedelic glitch folk? or just plain ole indie rock.)

Therapy Whistle retells a memory from my early school life, where I encountered many flamboyant characters in high school jazz band. I recount a field trip to Disneyland underscored by rising tensions and jealousy between myself and the central character, Johnny, a cocky bass-playing stoner with a love for Elvis.

I sing “I better get a therapy whistle I can blow” which serves as both an insult to Johnny and a cry for rescue out of the sweaty school bus that the two of us are now trapped inside.

The music video that accompanies the release was shot at Coney Island amusement park in New York during my first East Coast tour. Director Mario Dante wanted to capture the feeling of stale Americana that the song channels.

I was fortunate enough to be able to include his song “Sun Up My Sleeve” in my short film At Ease.