When asked to describe the aesthetic of his East Hampton, New York home, Edward Wilkerson pauses, careful to consider the question. “It’s an eclectic mélange of my world travels,” the fashion designer and avid collector says at last. “I love Africa, Bali, Asia, Paris—I wanted to be able to walk from room to room and feel the effect of time travel in my own house.” Mission accomplished.
One stroll through his two-story modernist digs, with a sprawling, multilevel wraparound deck and ocean views from every angle, and the cultural references begin to make sense. Each turn is an extension of Wilkerson’s favorite places: The art gallery and outdoor space transport you to Bali; his living room’s eccentric style is French African Asian; and the upstairs study gives off sexy Parisian-library vibes, with books overflowing wherever there’s space for them to live.
“I never feel disconnected from the places I’ve been,” he adds. “These places inspire me still.” Wilkerson has been collecting beautiful things for three decades, along with colorful anecdotes that add a little something extra to the artifacts, sculptures, paintings, pottery, textiles and furnishings he’s amassed.
I love Africa, Bali, Asia, Paris—I wanted to be able to walk from room to room and feel the effect of time travel in my own house.”
These days he prefers his quaint coastal escape to his former residence in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. “Being out here is like traveling,” he says. “We’re always doing something cultural and creative. I’ve met more people in East Hampton than I ever did in the city.” His parting affirmation for young Black creatives? “It’s your life,” he says. “It’s your movie.”
Cultural Living
As brand ambassador for Urban Zen by Donna Karan, Edward Wilkerson finds calm in the chaos with bespoke pieces from gifted artisans across the globe.
