With Artist Lila de Magalhaes
Photos by James Branaman. Interview by Julia Somers.
Can you give us a little Lila history?
The shortest Lila history goes like this: I was born in Rio de Janeiro, raised in Zurich, went to Glasgow for art school and lived there for 7 years before moving to Los Angeles in 2011. If you have an extremely attuned ear, my bizarre accent tells this very story.
Lila wears the Grace dress in Navy.
We're such fans! Can you tell us a little about your work and the role humor and irony play?
Thank you! I am glad you picked up on these sensibilities because they are inherent not only in my creative work but as a way of coping with life! With the tendency to an existential perspective, humor lends itself as a great tool with which I look at and investigate the darker sides of human/animal nature. Laughter therefore is transformative, from dark to light, and sometimes back to dark. Let us remember: Anthropology traces the smile back to the baring of teeth!
What inspires you and who do you admire?
I am inspired by paying attention to details that surround me daily, whether it's the color combination found in toothpaste or an atmosphere conjured up by the clashing of a distant sound and an internal, present emotion. Eccentrics that don't bend to the posture of what is seen as "proper" have always been so inspirational to me. Therefore junior and senior Edie portrayed in the documentary film Grey Gardens stand out to me both as heroines of character, improvisation and style. I also couldn't live without Ivor Cutler's poetry or current rap music but my friends are my true heroes and muses.
Function? Style? Ethics? What do you look for in clothing?
I often come to the realization that I'm wearing a whole outfit of which I haven't purchased a single item. Somehow my wardrobe consists mainly of hand-me-downs from roommates and gifts. When I do spend money on clothes, it's most likely at a thrift store, a secondhand or something special from my designer friends such as enSoie or Ikou Tschuss. I look for natural fibers and simplicity since I want to be able to get dressed fast and have the option to interchange pieces and outfits easily.
Weird question but, what's it like being Swiss-Brazilian?
It's hard to say because it is all I know! Speaking multiple languages and having family on more than one continents and having an excuse for never fitting in is really fun though.
In a perfect world, what’s your dream for your life and for your community?
I don't idealize perfection. I think it's important that we all have our unique challenges, histories and textures and space for all of them to unfold and be heard so that we may best collaborate and support each other. If I can avoid boredom as much as possible, engage in work that I identify as meaningful and be around fellow loving humans, may this life be long.
Mountains or the city?
Lucky me grew up with grandparents in the Swiss alps but I love living in the chaos of a large city such as L.A.. As with everything, I desire contrast and am glad both exist.
Lila wears the Lily top in Brick.