Queer Girl Fashion Icon of The Week: Cassaundra Marie Talks Avant Garde Style

“I dress all kinds of crazy on first dates. Homegirl deserves to know what she’s getting into right away.”

It’s no secret to queer women that lesbians are the true tastemakers in the world of style; but it’s time we got some freaking credit, you know?

Which is why we decided to highlight a different iconic queer woman each week and talk to her about her fierce style in our new GO mag column “Fashion Icon of The Week.”


Photo by Tread Report

There are some people who are simply born with a sense of unique style in their blood. Cassaundra Marie is one of those people. Marie is ineffably stylish with every look that she rocks. Her creativity doesn’t end with her sense of style though: Marie can be found on TV and film sets as an Art and Creative Director.

We couldn’t wait to chat with Marie to get to know more about her history with fashion, if there’s such a thing as queer style, and what her signature looks are.

Photo by Mario Hagopian

GO: Who are you and what do you do?

Cassaundra Marie: My name is Cassaundra Marie and I’m a Writer/Art Director.

GO: Who are your greatest fashion icons?

CM: Hmmm, I don’t know that I have any “greatest.” I think there are far too many fashion icons. However, I do love Alexander McQueen, Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Jimi Hendrix. Their unapologetic creativity definitely made me brave.

GO: Find ten adjectives that fully describe your personal style?

CM: Ambiguous, vampish, militant, feral, cerebral, galactic, fringed, leathered, imaginary, oh and eccentric — my Mom always calls me that.

GO: How do you feel about makeup? Love it, hate it? What products do you use? Do you have a signature makeup look?

CM: I don’t really wear makeup, it never suited my face well. I try to to at least keep my eyebrows neat, and throw on some eyeliner when I’m feeling fancy!

I think there is an art to wearing makeup. I’m always in admiration of people who can do it well. It’s very sexy for a woman/person to be able to transform herself/themselves with the paint of a lip and swipe of ink, but there is also power in not wearing makeup. I love for women/people to feel beautiful regardless of a made up or bare face.

I don’t use any face makeup, I have very sensitive skin. I do wash my face with La Roche Posay Toleriane and moisturize with Rilastil Aqua legre, and finish with sunscreen. Always sunscreen… I guess that’s my makeup.

I do have a signature look, I rock one white contact… my ode to Marilyn Manson, of course. He just gets me.

Photo by Crystal Annette (Sequin)

GO: Where do you shop?

CM: Vintage, vintage, vintage, and American Apparel for high waist jeans. That’s all I gotta say. I own only a few mass produced tops but I try not to support mass produced clothing anymore because supporting sweatshops is disgusting.

GO: What was your most embarrassing fashion phase? Or have you been perfect and cool forever?

CM: I’m not embarrassed of any of my fashion decisions. Fashion gave me a lot of courage to express myself in ways I couldn’t verbally. So I have a deep appreciate all the phases. Haha, I most definitely was never cool, but I have finally settled comfortably in who I am, and that feels cool.

Photo by Grace Chu

GO: Describe an outfit you would wear to slay a job interview.

CM: I work in the art department for film so I don’t really wear an “interview” outfit. Back in the day, when I was hostessing or in retail, I would wear the most extreme pant suit I owned, so they would know not to ask me to wear a dress. I don’t love dresses… on me.

GO: Describe an outfit you wear on a date with a woman you were wildly attracted to.

CM: I dress all kinds of crazy on first dates. Homegirl deserves to know what she’s getting into right away.

Photo by Mario Hagopian

GO: Describe an outfit you would wear if you wanted to feel insanely sexy?

CM: I wanna feel sexy everyday, all the time. I just stay true with my mood and how I’m feeling and pick my outfits (armor) based of that. If I look in the mirror and am feeling strong. I’m ready to go.

GO: Is there such thing as lesbian/queer/bisexual style?

CM: All fashion is queer fashion. To be different and singular is queer. I think fashion is special and uniquely tailored to the individual that styles themselves. If you can do that authentically you’re pretty queer.


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