Escape Pod: 1956 Rod And Reel Trailer
Camping and Surfing in Ventura, California with Kassia Meador, Nick Fouquet and Iruka the Dog.Photography and Text: Gabe Sullivan
Ever since Kassia Meador acquired her vintage Rod and Reel
trailer, we’ve been talking about shooting a surfing/camping
adventure photo-story for this magazine. Every time I’d see Kassia
at an opening for one of her photography shows, or whenever
I’d stop in to visit her boyfriend Nick Fouquet at his hat shop in
Venice, the topic would come up. A couple years went by before
the stars finally aligned and we all meet up in Ventura, California
for a couple days of surfing and good vibes camping out along
the coast. Iruka, Kassia’s regal palace dog also joined us for the
adventure, adding another layer of awesomeness to our cosmic
little scene. All items in this photo-story belong to Nick and Kassia,
and all I did was show up and document the magic as it unfolded.
How did you two meet and what has drawn you closer together
over time?
Kassia and I met at La Isla Bonita taco truck in Venice Ca, and we
have been on the beautiful island ever since. What has brought
us close over time is traveling, adventuring and getting to know
one another.
How often do you get away in the trailer? What’s the best part
about adventuring around together up north of Los Angeles?
We don’t get away as often as we would like in the trailer. The
best part is being together and escaping all the busy day-to-day
in Los Angeles. Just being able to enjoy the space and silence.
Iruka is a palace dog, right? What breed is she and how does she
like trailer life?
Iruka is a palace dog, they used to guard the palaces in Japan,
and now she guards our palace on wheels. She is a shiba inu. She
also loves the trailer because she knows it means adventure time.
Kassia, I noticed Nick likes to share waves with you. Have you ever
had to reprimand him for dropping in on you?
There’s no such thing as dropping in when we slide together,
riding waves is the most magical experience, and sharing it with
the person you love the most is extra magical.
In today’s era of hyper connectivity via social media and smart
phones, do you ever feel the need to just unplug from the matrix
and spend time out in nature?
Yes, we unplug all the time and both sleep with our phones
on airplane mode. Nature rules, it’s where we both get our
inspiration and solace. Our most memorable and profound
experiences have happened in the absence of technology.
Kassia, what photography projects have you been working on
lately that you’re excited about? Do you have a favorite photo
you’ve shot of Nick?
I just set up a dark room in my studio and its been really awesome
getting to rework moments captured before, Yeah, it’s in the Peru
zine we created, its a photo where Nick is sitting on a stool with his
right foot over his left. It’s the best, so connected in that moment.
Nick, I noticed you attached a piece of abalone on the hat you made
for Kassia. What can you share about the process of making her hat?
I know Kassia loves abalone so I incorporated it into the hat I made
for her. The process of creating Kassia’s hat was very special to
me. I know her so well and it was a fairly free flowing process. It all
started coming to me naturally as I was making it, with the just the
right amount of beauty, punk, salt and love.
Kassia, what is the plan for your new studio space in downtown LA?
It’s gonna be a showroom, photo studio, the ultimate creation
station that has been dubbed the Dream Fort.
Nick, how are things coming along with the expansion of your hat
shop space on Abbot Kinney in Venice?
I’m looking to Open June 1st, and am in the construction process
right now. I’m super excited and nervous all bundled into one.
We have so many awesome brands, art pieces, found items, it’s
a lot of work. It’s gonna be such an amazing place to showcase
peoples work I identify with and just a rad place to hang.
What’s the next trip you two will be embarking on for your travel
‘zine Aperture Times?
We just finished one on Japan and the next one we’ve been
talking about is Ceylon.
Kassia wears jeans by A Gold E jeans, coat by Kapital, sunglasses by Raen and hat by Nick Fouquet. Nick wears his own Nick Fouquet hat and sunglasses by RayBan.
Nick wears jeans by Guess and Lakers basketball T-shirt converted into a singlet. Kassia wears Jeans by A Gold E and sunglasses by Raen.
Nick wears jeans by Guess with his own custom patchwork alterations, boots by Blundstone, a 1950s French Army jacket, Rolex Submariner watch,
sunglasses by RayBan and his own Nick Fouquet hat.Kassia wears hat by Nick Fouquet, sunglasses by Raen and jacket by Kapital.
www.nickfouquet.com www.kassiameador.com www.gabesullivan.com