If we could sum up the essence of Cult Gaia in two words, it would be divine feminine.
Slipping into something sculptural from the LA-based brand or wearing one of their artistic, three-dimensional creations on your arm instantly transports individuals into a world run by mythical Amazonians. Think Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon, or Matisse’s The Dance personified.
Gaia was the Greek goddess of Earth and the mother of all life, so it certainly makes sense that Cult Gaia’s clothing and accessories have a powerful, ethereal and mystical quality about them.
According to Greek myth, Gaia emerged from Chaos – the great, empty and formless abyss – to bring eternal creation into reality. Indeed, as founder Jasmin Larian Hekmat tells ES Best, “Almost everything by us is borrowed from nature, womanhood and femininity.”
We chatted to Larian Hekmat about the inspiration behind Cult Gaia and got the low-down on all of the designer and businesswoman’s favourite things.
What have you been up to recently?
Working my ass off. I’m always juggling my kids, my family and my husband with work. We are always in the midst of two seasons at once and doing production, product development and design. On top of everything else, I also oversee the business. For Bratz, we have a lot of exciting things in the works. Some very cool collaborations coming up. Can’t wait for you guys to see that.
What are your favourite items in your wardrobe at the moment?
The coat that I’m wearing is new, it’s the Cult Gaia Dilan Coat. My earrings are the Lola Earrings and I’ve got the Rory sandal on. I pretty much only wear Cult exclusively unless I’m doing a vintage archival piece. It’s more of an effort to say when I’m not wearing Cult Gaia.
How has being the inspiration behind the Bratz doll Yasmin influenced your style?
I'm always like, what came first me or the doll? It's so crazy. I mean, amongst my friends, I am the most bohemian in taste. And Yasmin used to wear the flower crown, and I started my company with a flower crown. But our auras and our personalities have kind of just become one by osmosis.
What does Bratz mean to you?
I think obviously they are the epitome of cool. They have passion for fashion, always stick together and always go against the grain - I'd say that’s what sums them up. I think they are trailblazers. But friendship is at the heart of everything they are, it’s in everything that they do.
What inspires you most when designing new collections?
Nature, pretty often. Almost everything by us is borrowed from nature, womanhood and femininity. I’m inspired by the way someone feels when they wear something.
Are there any artists that you draw from when designing?
I love Matisse so much. Tschabalala Self is amazing. She creates figurative art that often plays on women's bodies. The painting behind me in my office is by a Persian artist in Orange County called Yalda Sepahpour. I love art that's expressive, and expresses the essence of a woman in the artist’s eyes.
What does your ideal capsule makeup collection consist of?
Blush, blush and more blush. I'm obsessed with a good glow. I always say that someone should look freshly f***ed. Like you went for a good run. Makeup should make you look healthy!
I love a brown lip liner blended in with the lip, obsessed with blush, concealer and some clear gloss. I’ve currently got in my bag the Makeup Forever lip liner, Patrick Ta blush, though I used to religiously use the Tom Ford blush, and Evian spray. I’m probably going to work on my own line.
Accessories are major at Cult Gaia. What’s your favourite bag that you’ve designed?
There's the Pearl Bag, which is one of the first bags I designed. I based it off of a ring actually and I was like okay, this is an interesting shape. I carved it out of clay, as it was the only way I knew how to explain what I wanted. The bag hangs on your arm like sculpture and art and it's amazing because it's hands-free. You could hold your drink while the bag just delicately hangs from your arm. That's one of my favourite ones.
Recently I worked on something called the Brusha and I'm obsessed with it. It's a production nightmare, but it's shell that we basically cast and made a mould of. It’s moulded from copper. I like things that are like, oh my god, I could never find that anywhere else. Another favourite is The Scrunch, which we made to look like when paint comes out of a tube.
What’s more important, a good hair day or glam?
Oh, good hair. Full glam is fine, but a pain in the ass. I have no patience. A good blowout is life-changing.
What are the homeware essentials that make your house feel like a home?
We just launched candles, and so I've been lighting them everywhere. And they're amazing. They're in a travertine vessel. I worked on those scents for two years, so it's my essence in a candle. Those really makes me feel at home. And dogs.
What are your travel must-haves?
Evian spray, a Beis luggage, blush, perfume, and a good makeup bag. I like taking my own conditioner and shampoo with me. Plus things to keep the kids busy, like an iPad.
Is there a fragrance that you’re using at the moment?
Well, after working on the candles for so long and really honing the scent, the same scent that you get when you walk into our stores, something else might be on the horizon. I love something that smells different on everyone.
