Leanne Elliott Young
Tackling IRL and URL conundrums with CommuneEAST
Whilst most fashion brands are looking to achieve a seamless experience between physical/IRL (In Real Life) and online/URL worlds (Uniform Resource Locator and is defined as the global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web), Leanne Elliott Young exists between both worlds with ease. Once submerged inside Leanne’s vision and that of CommuneEAST you begin to realise that we must count the online world as real as the physical.
CommuneEAST was co-founded during Art Basel in 2015 by Leanne and one of British Fashion’s most promising talents, Richard Nicholl. Leanne has taken his spirit forward within CommuneEAST.
The vision for communeEAST is to act as an incubator for ideas, relationships and talent that disrupts and questions our perception of reality and the ‘usual’. The way in which Leanne and CommuneEAST approach problem solving is to bring together a unique blend of minds from different backgrounds including art, fashion, technology and science. It’s this approach that helps companies and emerging artists tackle their IRL and URL conundrums, from Selfridges Group, V&A to Liam Hodges and Art School London.
In this joyful interview Leanne and Jodi Muter-Hamilton discuss:
Leanne’s early family life and education that laid the foundations for multiple points of view coming together
How CommuneEAST come together to create what the future could look, sound and taste like.
CommuneEAST IRL Book Clubs, where you don’t even need to read the book!
Partnering and supporting Outset (an independent charitable organisation that pools donations from partners and patrons to support contemporary art)
The value of ‘gloves off’ conversations
CommuneEAST Instagram sustainability filters that had over 1million shares during London Fashion Week September 2019
Top tips for surviving and enjoying Christmas and what’s happening in 2020
Leanne Elliott Young, Co-founder CommuneEAST, wearing Berthold rubber top, Kenzo skirt, James Long Devine jumper and Katie Hillier paper clip earring
LEANNE ELLIOTT YOUNG - tackling IRL and URL conundrums with CommuneEAST, Jodi Muter-Hamilton in conversation with Leanne Elliott Young for this full-length interview.
Leanne Elliott Young wearing Louise Gray bustier, Helmet Lang x Jeremy Deller top, Liam Hodges trousers, Matty Boven x Coach bag, Katie Hillier paper clip earring in front of Claire Barrow artwork and Dominic Myatt painting | Louise Gray shoes
“There is no wrong answer in the art world. It’s all about exploratory notions and it’s one person’s vernacular as opposed to another. ”
Leanne’s treasured objects - Richard Nicoll blue broach/jewellery, moon stone (mothers), tree of life hand carved (mothers), crystal wand | Leanne Elliott Young wearing Liam Hodges shorts and top, Raf Simons x Joy Division hat, Loewe shoes, Katie Hillier paperclip earring
Leanne Elliott Young wearing Roksanda
Huge thanks to Nigel Camp for filming and production and Olivia Jank for photography.
NOTES
In addition to the above during our interview Leanne mentions:
Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
Timothy Morton, Author of Hyperobjects
Amelia Abraham, Author of Queer Intentions
18.12.2019
