Q&A | Kassia Meador

Photos of Kassia Meador by Nick LaVecchia.

I wanted to write that Kassia Meador is a jack of all trades, but I feel like that's too casual a metaphor to apply to such a mega talent in so many different categories. Last year Kassia was ranked the second best women's longboard surfer in the world. She is a lauded editorial and fine art photographer. She designs wet suits for Roxy. She plays crystal bowls in a group called UFO 2012. Each element of Kassia's life is pure passion—and through all the accolades and accomplishments, she's relaxed, down-to-earth, and honest. The thread that runs through all of Kassia's interests is really a love of nostalgia (Gidget re-runs inspired her to start surfing) and the tangible world. I called her a luddite this morning because she shoots on film, rides a longboard and listens to music on vinyl—but I think to Kassia her loves and interests and talents come too naturally to be viewed as a choice, they're just who she is—and that's why she's so good at everything! Keep up with Kassia and her ever-evolving and ever-inspiring world, more exciting news is (inevitably) on its way. 

If not in Venice, I would live in...Biarritz.

My dream vacation would be to...Being a professional surfer, I am constantly traveling to tropical locations, but because I have only really traveled to locations with good waves and I'm usually surfing the majority of the time, I rarely see the cultural side of these exotic destinations. So my dream vacation would be to go somewhere like India, or on safari in Africa or to Egypt to see the pyramids—some place I've never been that surfing wouldn't have taken me. 

    

My current obsessions are...

Food: O-musubi.

Music:  Reverberation Radio. Best podcast mixes ever!

Fashion: David Michael, this rad young designer. He makes such beautiful pants, jackets and coats. 

Retail Stores: Lefthouse, General Store, Guild, and always love Rag & Bone.

I channel my childhood self when I...am in the ocean.

The fictional characters I most relate to are...Peter Pan's Lost Boys.

If I had to be outdoors all day I would...I pretty much am outdoors all day, hahaha. I surf, I swim, I hike, I camp, I search high and low for all the natural hot springs around.

My favorite qualities in a man are...a big heart, honesty, creativity, and work ethic.

My favorite quality in a woman is...a big heart, honesty, creativity, and work ethic.

I'm terrified of...spiders.

My dream car is a...Volkswagen Squareback.

My cocktail of choice is...whiskey, sodawater, and a lime.

My celebrity crush is...Juliette Lewis.

My beauty product of choice is...coconut oil good for hair, skin, and everything else.
 

My friends and I like to...go surfing, play giant crystal singing bowls and howl under the moon.

If I could go back in time for one decade it would be...the 70's. Surfboards were incredible and the lineups weren't too crowded yet. And the music, art, and spirituality movements of that time would be a trip to see and experience firsthand.

As a teenager I was totally into...Gidget, the Violent Femmes, and juicing.

I tend to splurge on...good food, a good pair of boots, and anything I am really into—it's rare I find something I feel I need to have, so when I do I just get it.

The fact that I'll never wear anything that would keep me from going on an adventure at any time...is what makes me have Tomboy Style.