“Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Julia lived in London for 13 years where she was one of the founder members of now sadly disappeared female music and art collective GIRLCORE. She has relocated to sunny LA almost a year ago where she works as a freelance photographer and creative researcher for advertising, films and music videos.”
on her morning routine
I usually wake up at 8 and answer my UK emails from bed. I have a cup of coffee and go for a run around the reservoir in Silverlake. Once I’m back I have a shower, eat something and start my work day. If I don’t have work, I go to a pottery studio in Highland Park or for a walk to Griffith Park or I go to the beach.
on moving from la to london
I moved to London in 2002 after my country collapsed and had a major devaluation, 5 presidents in a month, no work at all for anyone...basically the way things are every now and then for everyone except for a bunch of first-world countries. I was studying History there but I didn’t have any money or things to do in a city that was literally on fire everyday. After some months of taking part in “la resistance,” I decided to take advantage of my Italian nationality and went to London to learn English, get some money, and travel around Europe. But I ended up staying in London for 13 years...I did do some traveling though, went to university and studied fine arts photography and met the most amazing and interesting people ever. I saw lots of bands, went to a lot of parties, took part in lots of creative endeavors with friends but kept missing Argentina a lot, and kept thinking “what would I be doing if I was there?” Over a year ago my boyfriend and I noticed that London didn’t suit us in our new settled quiet life style. Plus, a lot of our friends drifted away and moved to different cities and countries because London has been mainly whitewashed by gentrification and developers and it’s really unaffordable. So we came here where most of my Welsh/American (Welshican) boyfriend’s family are, in search for new adventures, more outdoor activities and the never seen in over a decade - THE SUN.
“I hate that most of my precious records are in storage in London but thanks to estate/yard sales in LA I could get a few good ones here, mostly under 5 dollars. I do love horror movies soundtracks for when I’m working. It adds some dramatism to my dull hours. Bettlejuice is one of my favorite soundtracks. I like many of Danny Elfman’s soundtracks. Will O’the Whisp is an amazing 70’s experience that goes great with my surrounded- by cacti LA life. Also Will O’the Whisp is English for La Luz Mala, a concept I’m obsessed with.
”
on her favorite books
Books are really important in my life, (I do not use a kindle, I physical love books) and I have a massive library in storage in London, and another one at my mom’s in Buenos Aires. These books are not my favorite ever but some of the ones I read last year from writers I love. From Ballard I would choose “High Rise” or the “Drowned World” as his best ones. I had watched the long good bye/Robert Altman’s which is a LA amazing essential movie so I had to read chandler’s book when I moved here. The house plants one was 1$ at an estate sale and it has the most amazing 70’s botanical illustrations inside- plus great tips. Doris Lessing and Alice Munro, both nobel prize winners, are really inspirational woman whose writing I love. Doris lessing had a very impressive life, her autobiography is really good too.
on shopping in la
I do not go shopping in LA because I basically do not know where to buy anything unless it’s online. There is a Crossroads at walking distance where I sometimes go for the sake of actually being able to walk somewhere. I do have some nice stuff from there. But I mainly use ebay, buy some stuff when I’m in London or shop at a junk market near my mom’s in Buenos Aires. I wear a lot of black, and only black which has come to be a problem in steaming hot LA. So I’ve been trying to get more white, lighter t-shirts which are all either from Cali de Witt or Inbar Levi.
on her beauty routine
I’m the no beauty routine person so I choose products that are easy to use or to carry around. For instance my eye cream, Yes To Blueberries Eye Cream, is in my hand bag and then I’m like, “oh here you are!” and I put it on. I would say the only thing that I never forget to do is to put Clarins Sunscreen for Face SPF 50 on my face before leaving the house now that I’m in LA. I like face creams to be very light and disappear quickly into my skin. I try to use my Aesop Camellia Nut Facial Hydrating Cream moisturizer and my Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Cream at night. I strategically keep two things in my shower: my Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Conditioner which is absolutely great and makes a real difference and my Haeckels face wash that I bought in Margate last time I was in England. Haeckels makes all its products using only natural and local ingredients so I guess my face wash has a lot of seaweed. For makeup I like to use NARS Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil, MAC Lipstick, MAC Eyeshadow, Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation.
on la culture
In LA I’m looking at people all the time and learning about “the Americans.” There are so many subcultures, new social scenarios to explore and the immigration layers, specially the Latin community which is the one I relate to. I still take pictures although I do not do that for a living. After working as a photographer for some time for magazines and earning almost no money I realized I didn’t want to pursuit photography in that way. I didn’t want to shoot digital either. I still take pictures, but with exhibitions or books I never end up printing in mind. I take a camera everywhere I go, it’s an extension of me. However, I have recently discovered that I really like pottery: doing something with my hands, making a 3-D object that can maybe be used, not looking at a screen all the time, those are new things to me. I’m really into learning more about that and I do actually think more about pots than images at the moment. Also my job involves looking at pictures all the time, so I guess my mind is getting constantly visually polluted and I need to take a break from that.
“I do not smoke. That’s my main beauty tip. Watch what you eat, especially when you are about to get your period. Learn to like yourself the way you are. If you can’t don’t go on a diet, go to therapy.
”
Top, Frank and Oak ; Pants, Lisa Says Gah ; Shoes, Vintage
julia's favorite books
The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler, The Summer Before The Dark by Doris Lessing, Crash by J.G. Ballard, Dear Life by Alice Munro, High Rise by J.G. Ballard, Drowned World by J.G. Ballard
Julia's favorite records
Beetlejuice Soundtrack by Danny Elfman, Will O' The Wisp by Leon Russell, It Follows by Disasterpeace, The Amityville Horror Soundtrack by Lalo Schifrin
julia's favorite movies
Nostalgia For The Light, E.T., Over The Edge, High-Rise
julia's favorite places in los angeles
Astro for breakfast and after party meals.
The Trails Cafe in Griffith park for coffee and lavender cookies.
Counter Point for used books and records.
Beachwood Cafe if you feel like stepping into a village inside Hollywood.
Photography by Claire Donoghue