“Get ready with me” videos are not uncommon on TikTok—but few are doing it like Jeauni Cassanova. Instead of getting dressed in your everyday jeans or sweaters, you’ll find Cassanova slipping into rare Christian Dior jackets, one of a kind Vivienne Westwood gowns, and ginormous vintage feathered hats. They’re ensembles worthy of a haute couture catwalk! We couldn’t help but wonder: Who is this mystery fashion collector?
By day, Cassanova is the cofounder of Isshï, a contemporary jewelry label that was even worn by Carrie Bradshaw’s neighbor on And Just Like That… this season. “[My partner Rolly Robínson and I] launched the line right before the pandemic,” Cassanova says. “A lot of it is inspired by the ocean; we use a lot of freshwater pearls. It’s very whimsical but sophisticated.” But it’s Cassanova’s epic wardrobe collection—including Galliano-era Dior, Chanel Couture, and Marc Jacobs—that’s the real story.
Cassanova’s eclectic array of designers is impressive given it’s only a few years in the making. Cassanova recalls roughly beginning the collection back in 2018, after spotting a monogrammed Christian Dior Bar jacket from fall 2005. It was a steal, at just over $400. “I’m the type of hunter where, if something is being sold for $2,000, I’m going to find it for $500,” Cassanova says. “That jacket catapulted my obsession with Galliano for Dior.” From there, Cassanova began amassing even more Galliano-era Dior pieces, now estimating the collection to include over 70 of them. “What drew me to Galliano was his celebration of the femme,” Cassanova says. “It’s not just about being delicate or feminine—he has this edge to it. It’s sexy, daring, and bold.”
Other covetable Dior pieces in Cassanova’s possession? A Dior fall 2003 koi fish top-and-skirt set—complete with the matching heels, of course. “It’s one of my bad habits, but if there’s a full look, I’m going to buy every piece,” Cassanova says. The collection also includes Dior Saddle bags, pointy Y2K monogrammed boots, and, naturally, the much-coveted Dior diamanté logo ring set. “Throughout my entire Dior journey, the rings were the one thing that I just could not get my hands on,” Cassanova says. “Finally, I ended up finding them for $1,400 on Vestiaire. I was like, ‘This bitch doesn’t know what they have.”
Cassanova’s love for Galliano has extended into collecting the designer’s pieces at Margiela, his current fashion house. “I just got these frayed heels, some gloves, and a dress from the [Margiela] sample sale,” Cassanova says. The strapless green gown, in a gorgeous rubbery-silk, was meant to be. “I actually tried it on in the store and was texting the sales associate about it,” Cassanova says. “I ended up getting it on the second [to] last day of the sample sale—it was 80% off!” It’s not just sample sale scores in Cassanova’s collection, however. In addition to scouring the expected sites such as eBay, The RealReal, and Vestiaire, Cassanova counts QV Archive as a favorite, as well as more unexpected websites. “My secret for shopping is, you Google consignment shops in different states where there’s a lot of money, then go on their websites. A lot of the time, they’re small businesses, so you can negotiate.”
As for other designers in Cassanova’s vast wardrobe, there’s tons of Vivienne Westwood pieces. This includes over 40 items, including shapely lace gowns, cinched corsets, and plaid ponchos. “Westwood, like Galliano, is very focused on beautiful construction. Everything feels so intentional.” Cassanova’s assortment of Marc Jacobs pieces—another lover of strong silhouettes—is also growing. The most prized possession? This ruffle-sleeved finale gown from Jacobs’s fall 2018 collection, which Cassanova scored at a sample sale for $50 (yes, really). “I’ve worn it everywhere from a casual dinner to the opera,” Cassanova says. A truly priceless treasure, however, is a recent follow from Galliano on Instagram. “I died,” Cassanova says.
Where does Cassanova keep all these designer treasures, you may wonder? Funny enough, they mostly fit in Cassanova’s New Jersey apartment—in every inch of it, that is, including every closet and some rolling racks too. “Even all of the storage under our bed is clothing,” Cassanova says. “We also have a small storage unit.” It may sound excessive, but every single piece is worn and loved. “If I’m buying something, I’m wearing it—it deserves a life. I’ve definitely ruined a thing or two by being that way, because I’m on the dance floor and, somehow, I’m suddenly on the floor.”
