EXPLORATION: ARCHIVED INTERVIEW LONDON _ 2020
Photography: Roxy Lee @roxy_lee
Makeup: Raisa Flowers @raisaflowers
Q & A
X Name: Alees Yvon
X Where do you live/ where are you from?
California Wine Country / I am from San Francisco / Neptune.
X Tell me a bit about yourself and where you grew up?
Born in San Francisco, I grew up with an independent mother. Raised by a family of predominantly powerful black women in a very forward-thinking, eclectic, art-filled environment that shaped me. Women that carried wisdom, beauty and created beautiful spaces.
I am also rooted in San Francisco, being third -generation, this is where my earliest memories occurred; Spending a lot of time learning from my elders; helping my great-grandmother cook and serving my papa, or playing with my grandmother’s MC Esher puzzles or brass collections.
In our community, every month was black history month. Those principles (Knowledge is power) heavily influenced me. Weekends were more exploratory; I often spent them in nature, Japanese tea gardens, hiking with the family, or in the ocean.
There are many “radical topics” today that has been the foundation of my life. I grew up in environments where my body was directly affected by police brutality. So, activism has been a lifestyle practice for me in my everyday decision-making. It taught me the importance of putting intention and faith in everything you do as the true foundation. I'm grateful for that.
What is it you do and why do you do it?
I am a portal; I unlock worlds within worlds.
How did you get into it?
Healing has always been an overall theme. Different levels, of course.
I’ve experienced out-of-body experiences at a young age; Losing my chosen family to battles with depression or synthetic drugs. It helped me see what was truly important to me. It reminded me - I was doing everything for my family and tribe.
I turned to nature and started working with plants as a means of healing. Working with herbs and plant medicine has been completely transformative for me. The plants enabled me to take time away from my regular gigs - (nightlife, modeling, etc.) and habitual patterns (toxic relationships - with people and my temple/body) to immerse myself in my true passions.
Focusing on my esoteric studies, personal wellness, and growth naturally innovated my idea of what success really looks like. I learned that what had once formally inspired me was not backed by integrity. This realization gave me space and inspiration to blaze trails; by utilizing new resources and engaging in different industries of interest.
It sounds cliche; but it's really that time for artists, to come into new conversations on developmental design to build our present-future. I found myself so uninspired by the industry, which was huge for me because I live for the culture, the music, the looks, and fashion. So I had to find new ways to integrate the arts into the environment with a focus on marginalized communities. There wasn't enough representation in these spaces that I resonated with. So I had to contribute to changing that.
This personal practice sparked me to start an initiative bridging the gaps I saw between the conversations I was having with my peers on the issues they were facing; and the beautiful solutions to these issues I was finding in my work, spiritual work, and the abundance of resources available to those who know how to access them.
ALIAS, an initiative for us, by us.
ALIAS is currently building new programs within our communities in Oakland activating green spaces and 'normalizing' sustainable practices for the youth, highlighting how effortlessly we can create pockets of paradise on earth through eco-spirituality.
What’s your career highlight?
When I flipped it and settled into a more limitless perspective and started including new mediums in my practice. My journey working with the plant kingdom, sustainability, and cultivation. It’s been the most rewarding so far.
What are you working on at the moment?
EMBODIMENT - Working on my healing practice and making everything I touch grow. Implementing and advocating mindful food sovereignty, divinity, and faith in all my connections. Ever since I began setting my foundation and instilling it in my work I am prioritizing being in my body and transparency in my expression.
x It's 30 years from now. You stumble home at 3 am and catch your reflection in the fridge door. What do you look like?
In my reflection, I see myself as a crystalline skin body of a Goddess. I’m gracefully coming out of this draped, nude, holy, shredded, soft semi-liquid dress. Returning from an adaptogenic tea party welcomed by warm scents of course, 600 hz tunes, and by my beautiful family in our bioluminescent Hightech Earthship (self-sustainable home) on some cute acreage.
x If you could have a new sense on top of your existing ones, what would it be?
Working on my Matilda powers.
x What 3 beauty products are in your bag right this second?
Besides Crystals Always ~ Weleda Skin Food, Dark Lip Liner & Clear Gloss.
x What’s your earliest beauty-related memory?
This one day my mother took me to damn near every MAC Counter in San Francisco on the hunt for this stone-nude lipstick Nia Long was wearing in Love Jones. She would always give me her almost finished MAC lipsticks, a little brush, and lipstick cases that had the mirror in them. So I was there for it; every step of the way. Love You, Mommy <3
X Describe your beauty aesthetic in 3 words.
Laniakea Faerie Godmother
x What’s your favourite smell and why?
Ughh. Let me start by saying this question is a tricky question for Pisces. We love the good scents.
Right now I’m obsessed with this Korean Mint (Agastache Rugosa) I’m growing in my garden.
I literally kept sniffing it like crazy every time I got close and it sent me to ‘ceremony’ every time. Come to find out it is one of the 50 Fundamental Herbs in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) --- can be used for antivirus, anti-inflammatory respiratory health. Truly Divine.
x Which fictional character do you most relate to and why?
It’s the classic Halle Berry as the big-dreamer Nisi in BAPS for me.
OR
Leeloo from Fifth Element — I feel like she was pure Love.
x Who is your beauty icon/favourite look of all time? Why?
Beauty Icon:
The fearless Donyelle Luna. (the first black supermodel) I always appreciated her otherworldly beauty, her doe eyes and contacts. Underrated phenomena she was.
Favourite look of all time:
Grace Jones in VAMP - The Keith Haring white body paint and Red Wig was everything. Grace is a force, someone I adore for her universal beauty and talents. She blends many elements in her work.
What does beauty mean to you?
Finding your light, finding acceptance, enhanced symmetry … planet venus vibes.
When do you feel most beautiful?
In Nature. Anytime I am able to be naked - I’m in my element;
A body of water is always a major blessing.
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