JESSICA WU

“When I started Instagram, like every other person I was like, ‘Let me take selfies.’ When I started pulling away from that and sharing more about what was really happening in my life, I realized people were engaging with me more, and it was super genuine,” she says. Of course, her feed is still a stylish continuous scroll of makeup, fashion, and lifestyle; as a stylist, model, and press director for a luxury fashion brand, there’s no way it wouldn’t be. During our interview, she spouted style tips, sharing ways to style sweats with blazers and why her SOREL Joan Next Lite Puffy Strap shoes are ideal for stomping around New York. Hint: it’s because they’re comfortable and waterproof — perfect for avoiding mystery subway puddles. Wu manages to balance the fantasy of a creative social media presence with the incredibly relatable moments of life as a twenty-something in New York. So, in partnership with SOREL, we sat down with her to find out just how she does it. Ahead, she shares how this unpredictable year has made her reevaluate where she’s directing her energy, embrace a more experimental image, and, somehow, feel more hopeful.

What are some things that you’ve been focusing your energy on lately?
I don’t even know where to start because I do so many things! One big thing is, because we were on lockdown, we weren’t able to access the office for our fashion brand. So in the last few months, I’ve been dedicating a lot of my energy to re-transitioning back into that office and focusing on building the brand — which is still quite young, we’re two-and-a-half years now — and how we can pull through and put out a really good collection.

Your platform started because of your work in fashion, but it’s seemed to evolve.
Another thing I’ve been putting my energy toward is my friends and I decided to put together a mutual aid fund. We were attending protests and wanted to see how we could help people on the front lines, and so, we posted our stories. We asked for donations from my followers because I have a little bit of a following on Instagram. The response was overwhelming. The donations were so much more than we expected, so we decided to convert away from just providing people in the protests to providing to people who needed something to get through the week or to get groceries or to find somewhere to stay. Honestly, it’s so rewarding. It makes my heart so warm.

Why did you decide to move your platform forward in this very open, giving way?
I’m a child of the Internet — I’ve been online since seventh grade. So being public and sharing personal things is something I’m very comfortable with. Social media has kept me more connected to people. You just have to make the effort. A lot of people think of social media as this channel for very frivolous things, but it has impacted my life positively.

Does it ever feel overwhelming to share that much?
It’s weird, because I respond to every DM I get. My friends are always like, “Why are you talking to random people?” There are some people in my DMs that I have no idea who they are, but I’ve been having deep conversations with strangers for years now. I think it’s reflective of the generation’s openness and willingness to connect. Because how else are we going to?

As a stylist, how did you find yourself prioritizing fashion in style within the past seven plus months?
It’s funny because I don’t own sweatpants, I don’t really wear leggings even when I’m home. But I’ve been so busy with freelance content creation that even during quarantine, I still did experimental makeup, got dressed up, and styled new things — I was getting all dressed up with nowhere to go! But I was able to delve into maximizing my creativity.

What advice would you give someone who needs some style inspiration for getting dressed during quarantine?
A lot of people think that fashionable or stylish clothing is by default uncomfortable, but that doesn’t have to be true. There are ways to start with something comfortable, and add your style to it. Even something that could be a little schleppy like sweatpants, paired with a blazer or a sweater you love, and it suddenly becomes something stylish.

Has living in NYC influenced your style?
Because of all the pent-up months of not having been able to go outside and see friends and go out to dinner and dress-up, in a way I’m compensating for it. So here I’m wearing this blouse from my fashion brand which has cut-outs, but is convertible from a long-sleeve blouse into a halter top. It encapsulates how I feel about New York, because it changes every second and moves so fast. And the shoes complement that — they’re a sneaker with a puffy tongue — almost like a moon boot, a little futuristic, but super insulating and comfortable. You can really wear them all around the city from day to night.

People always talk about that indefinable, “only in New York” energy. Has that changed for you?
A lot of people were like, “I left because it’s not the same anymore.” But I find that New York is about the people I’ve grown to love and be around — that’s what makes New York for me. And they’re all still here.

Has there been anything especially positive to come out of this time for you that you may want to continue when it’s over?
I had a gym membership before and it took a bit of convincing from my roommate to start going consistently, so I was in a kind of funk. I was kind of bothered when the gym shut down, but I started doing my own workouts and now I’m not spending $100 a month on a gym. I’m happy with my fitness progress and I feel stronger. And I definitely think that you can do a lot with a little. I have dumbbells and a yoga mat and a jump rope.

What are you most hopeful about for the rest of 2020 and 2021?
In a weird way, the pandemic has forced us all to think differently, act differently, and plan differently. And I think being challenged in that way is really good. I’m not going to say life was easy and that we were coasting through it, but I do think that a lot of people are stuck in the old ways of thinking. We were stuck in the establishments. When times are hard and it’s emotionally, mentally, and physically difficult, that’s what makes diamonds. That’s so cliche, but that’s how I feel.

It’s admirable how quickly they accomplished it all (a matter of weeks), but as New Yorkers and Black small business owners, they know moving — and moving fast — is key to sticking around. “As New Yorkers, we’re accustomed to a fast-paced environment and constant change,” Hall says. It’s a trait that trickles into their style, too. “What I wear is a reflection of me and the city I live in. My style has evolved as I have evolved as a person.”

This story of their constant evolution, from transforming the Brooklyn wellness space amidst a pandemic, to how they’re relearning to exist outside of work, is what makes the duo so compelling. This is why, in partnership with SOREL, we chatted with them about it all: what it’s been like adapting to the new world of wellness, showing up for marginalized communities and how style, among other things, has helped them take care of themselves during this time. Because now more than ever, healers need a little healing, too.

Building a community and creating safe space for healing is a big part of what HealHaus does. What was it like to not be able to meet in person and have that in-person community and energy?
Darian: I think we’re all still figuring that out. We had already built up a really strong community that was supportive of what we were doing. The obvious thing was that we had to put everything online. So Elisa and I figured out what that was going to look like in terms of programming, how many classes, and all that.
Elisa: I knew we had to get things moving and get it online quickly. We started that process by doing a series of live sessions that were just on Instagram Live that got people introduced to the community and our practitioners. It built excitement and suspense. Then when we dropped everything, it was really beautiful, because our community just came out and supported us and supported our teachers. When everything went virtual, it was also about providing community for teachers.

How have you both been moving forward during this time in your personal lives?
Darian: I’ve just been, go, go, go, go for two plus years, because of everything that we want HealHaus to be, and the vision behind it, and the amount of people we want to reach. My mind is still running a lot and I’m still thinking all these things, but not having a physical space kind of took the stress away about worrying about that piece of it and I could just focus on the digital aspect and the other things that we want to do.
Elisa: I had to make some radical shifts and be like, “Okay, well, where are my priorities? Is my work first, is my personal life, my mental health first?” Even as a wellness space owner, it can be super conflicting because you’re in this work, but then you’re a co-founder. It’s still work, right? But right now I feel great. I feel super grounded being back in New York and preparing for fall and also just moving into our next phase.

Has style been a part of that transformation?
Elisa: Style is definitely a part of that. It’s part of how I like to express myself because I am a creative, an artist, and it changes my mood, too. It gives me energy and life. I find that the person I am currently internally is working on reflecting that change externally. That can show up in so many ways, whether it be changing your hair color, or even switching up your style. Right now I am into wearing more color and more pattern than ever. I am big on a boot with a heel that is comfortable, and being weatherproof is also a plus. I have a duality where I dance between casual and dressy, so the SOREL hiking boots speak my style language.
Darian: I tend to choose more subtle clothing with an occasional statement piece like a nice jacket or boots that compliment what I’m wearing. These SOREL boots are versatile and complement the seasonal change without sacrificing functionality.

What has the feedback been like for the HealHaus Live digital membership?
Darian: We get emails all the time from people that say how much our programming, even though it is online, has really helped them get through these last seven months. We definitely miss the physical space. We know how important it is for people to still touch and feel and be able to interact in person. But we are grateful that our community has supported us through this transition and been able to still connect virtually.

A lot of businesses, especially Black businesses, have struggled to stay open. What has that experience been like for you?
Elisa: The reality is that Black owned businesses are disproportionately affected now, during the pandemic. It’s very real that a lot of black owned businesses are closing. And I think this culture of supporting black owned businesses went viral, so a lot of people were following us, donating, getting memberships or buying product. So we definitely gained a lot of followers and attention during this time, because of the work that we do.

It might seem like a wild notion, but is there anything that you’ve had to adopt to or adapt to during this time that you think you might actually want to continue when things go back to normal?
Darian: We’re transitioning into this digital space where all of our classes and everything is online, and with that allows for more freedom. Elisa and I can be anywhere in the world running that. We don’t necessarily have to be in New York. I always want to have that freedom to be able to come and go as I please, especially because I’m such a big traveler, and I need that freedom of being able to go places. And although we can’t necessarily travel the way we want right now, still that freedom that has been brought upon us in this moment is something that I want to hold on to.

Moving forward, what are you optimistic about for 2020 and going into 2021?
Darian: I think there’s a huge opportunity for people to come together. It’s almost like in order for things to get better, everything has to be brought down for us to get to this other place on the other side. And so there’s a little bit of optimism with that. There’s so much going on this year. There has got to be something on the other side of all of this craziness.
Elisa: I’m just excited about my growth. This, yes, devastating time, has radically shifted my life, perspective, what I’m focused on and in some ways bringing me back to self. And I think that that has been the most important thing and the most beautiful thing.

The leap Carlos took by going freelance was a bet on herself, and it’s paid off well. Now, she’s one of the most sought-after journalists in the industry, profiling the world’s most famous celebrities and penning the kind of cover stories that trend on Twitter. And if her former work life felt lonely, Carlos has now built up a community around herself, especially on social media, where on her show Your Favorite Auntie, Carlos holds forth on the topic of the week, and offers what she calls “a message of enlightenment, warmth, dialogue, and catharsis.” And boy, do we need that right now. Inspired by Carlos’ determination to carve out her own lane, live vibrantly, and show up for herself and her community, The Cut has partnered with SOREL to bring you her story. Read on for a candid talk with the unstoppable Marjon Carlos about how she built her career, how the fashion industry is changing and how it can do better, and how her style propels her forward.

Let’s start at the beginning. When did you know in your spirit it was time to leave your former job?
Eight months before I left, I didn’t feel I was being encouraged or like I could progress in the ways I wanted. And being a Black woman there was really lonely. There were days I cried by myself in a bathroom or empty conference room. The moment that was very edifying for me when I had my birthday party. I was surrounded by all my favorite people, I felt an enormous amount of love — and I realized I hadn’t felt that feeling in months. I thought, “I have to go. I have to leave.” From there, my confidence just rose.

Where are you finding the inspiration to write — and to capture this moment without entirely basing it in trauma?
It’s weird because I feel Black people specifically are living in this bipolar existence wherein that we are targets, but at the same time we’re being celebrated and carving out opportunities for ourselves in unprecedented ways. I did a lot of writing in these last couple of months that perhaps I wouldn’t have if we were under so-called normal circumstances. I’ve just been finding inspiration where I can and going for it.

How is your style moving you forward?
I’ve really derived joy from shopping and exploring my style in the last few months, experimenting with different designers. I saw this sweater dress online, and maybe it wasn’t the most practical purchase, but I had to have it. I love it paired with my white SOREL boots. As soon as I saw them, I thought, ‘You know what? These are a great white boot’ — and I love white shoes. They’re just super comfortable and I love the way they look with dresses. I’m wearing them everywhere now that the weather’s changed. As soon as I put them on, I thought, ‘Ooh, these are good. These are my new fall boots.’

Has your relationship with fashion changed since quarantine?
It’s funny, right now I’m wearing silk pajamas, so definitely love my loungewear! But in the beginning of quarantine, I was wearing a sweatsuit every day — my freelance uniform. Of course it’s comfortable, but it does get depressing after a while. It’s just not me. So I made the change to more color, more pattern, pieces that are a little more elevated while still having that element of comfort. My silk pajamas have that, my SOREL boots have that. I like pieces that show some effort. That’s been important to me as quarantine goes on. these days, if I’m going out, I’ll put on a dress, I’ll — well, maybe I won’t put on makeup! But I will grab a purse. I will try to show up with my style, because that small effort does change things.

How are you staying connected?
I love a good, long phone call. And I stay in touch through my IGTV show, Your Favorite Auntie. It was born out of a need to talk about things and stay connected. Every week I have an hour long conversation about a particular topic and give advice that you’d want to get from your auntie that you can learn from and grow from. It’s been really cool to build community that way, and offer a larger message of enlightenment, warmth, dialogue, and catharsis.

What would you tell a young person who’s starting out in this industry or needs advice negotiating their worth?
Something I do every year is I literally break each month down by the goals I want to achieve, print them out, put them on a poster board which I hang in my room, and I just look at it. I really manifest it. And as for negotiating your worth, one thing I learned is that money is arbitrary. You can just name your price. I always say to go for higher, and add tax.

How did you feel when you saw Black writers and editors spearhead media’s racial reckoning?
I thought it was wonderful. This generation is like, “No actually, that doesn’t work for me.” I was really inspired by that and it made me rethink the ways I move — when I speak up, when I’m quiet, and how we show up for ourselves.
For those who speak out, the fear of retaliation is real, and it strikes harder on Black women. It is not a myth. You’ll find that you’re not getting callbacks, or not getting opportunities because people think you’re a “troublemaker.” I was called problematic. That was so funny to me. I thought, “Well, I’d rather be problematic than a doormat.”

Any advice to the Black women specifically who spoke out?
If you’re finding the traditional path isn’t working, carve out your own lane, find your own opportunities. But don’t second guess the decisions you made to speak up. Black women are saddled with the responsibility of keeping things calm and status quo. We are supposed to make everyone feel comfortable about ourselves: That is a double, triple burden. And our silence keeps other people from being checked.

If people in fashion really got honest about the work that they had to do, what would that look like?
Hiring more Black people, hiring more people of color, and giving them the tools to succeed. It’s one thing to get people in the room — if they don’t stay there, it’s because they don’t feel supported or encouraged. Now it’s about centering other voices and other experiences. If fashion can get to that position, for sure, it can become more inclusive.

Let’s end on a high note. What are you optimistic about for 2020 going into 2021?
Seeing my friends and my family again. That would be everything. I’m also optimistic about the creativity that is coming out of this moment. We’re all being so innovative, learning to pivot and try new things. There’s a lot to be inspired by. I’m inspired by the conversations that we’re finally having, even if they’re messy. Talking about race and racism is frustrating for people and it’s clumsy, but I’m inspired that we’re at least starting those. I’m hopeful that we’ll all start taking care of each other and showing each other more grace. I feel strongly that if we just carry that same mentality into the new year, we can make this — I know this sounds so cheesy, but make this place really beautiful.

The stillness she’s found in the past six months did not come without some internal struggle. She’s had to manage her general anxiety while confronting hangups about being an artist and setting herself free from people’s expectations of what she creates. But here, on the other side of that, she says she’s emerged more confident, more self-assured, and ready to connect. “Now,” she says, “let’s focus on showing up for the people who need it the most.” It’s not difficult to be impressed by her resume and the natural level of cool she exudes, but it’s her self-awareness and conscious effort to make a real contribution to the world that makes her inspiring. In partnership with SOREL, we sat down to find out what changes the last six months have brought, and her hopes for moving forward — from the art she’ll be creating, the clothes she’ll be wearing, and the connections she’ll continue to make.

There’s your classic New York multi-hyphenate, and then there’s you. You do a lot. What have you been focusing your energy on lately? Well, I had been focusing on writing music — and let’s just say that I spent the beginning of the lockdown freaking out because I knew I wouldn’t be able to meet with people to do that. I couldn’t play with my band, or get together with a friend that I was writing with. It became very apparent that I was going to have to just do it on my own.

A lot of people shifted focus back onto themselves and thought, “Well what’s going on in my life? What can I do?” It was a really interesting period because I had been doing a lot of emotional, mental health awareness work the last two years, which I feel really culminated with the lockdown. It was like, “This is your real test.” Music is collaborative for me, so it’s been a challenging time for anybody who really needs that physical presence or the ability to jam with someone. I’m thankful that I’m now back to playing with a friend and that I was able to finish the music projects that I wanted to finish, and start some new ones.


How would you describe your approach to style? I’m open to pushing myself in new directions while remaining true to who I am and what I believe in. I’m not the most ladylike person in the room and I may never be, and that’s okay. I opt for comfort over glamour, but I still want to look and feel good when I look in the mirror before leaving the house. During my early years DJing, I put too much effort into trying to curve male perception. When I started DJing, we didn’t have the organizations we have now, that have been actively fighting to diversify and normalize women and non-binary people on lineups. It felt more like you were on your own in a typically male space, and it felt — and still does sometimes — like there was a lot of emphasis on what women DJs wear. As a woman, you have to think three times before walking into a nightclub in a skirt and a record bag. I used to spend a lot of energy making myself invisible and ignoring a part of myself that had something she wanted to say. I still catch myself going back to patriarchal notions that I’m fighting to unlearn, but I’ve started gaining more awareness around, “Well, I can be braver” or “I can be who I want to be and wear what I want, and f**k what other people think.”

I’ve gone through this period of self-doubt and overthinking, but I don’t want to abandon fashion and style, which are such a big passion for me. I went to school for fashion design, and I feel good when I’m more adventurous with my style, and put more effort into it. I still believe that what you choose to wear and step out of the house with is your armor. It can affect your mood, your self-esteem. It’s been cool to have opportunities to do that here and there.

What’s your go-to outfit these days? I wear black jeans and boots or shoes on the daily! I love my SOREL boots, which I’ve taken to wearing often to work and while walking around, running errands. Particularly when DJing, I cannot just throw on heels. I don’t know how anyone can. Most DJs I know are keeping time, tapping their feet or bouncing to the beat as a very physical part of being in the music, in the mix. It’s a very physical job — as well as mental, spiritual, and creative — so comfort is key. I love the idea of a uniform because it takes the guesswork out of the equation and lets you focus on what matters. In my case, it’s showing up with an intention, communicating through music, having that energy exchange and emotional release. If that happens, everyone goes home happy.

How have you handled the pause on live performances in NYC? I definitely miss that special energy. I got to DJ a live stream recently — those are complicated because there’s no crowd when the DJ’s playing records for people. The act of DJing in a club with a crowd is a very symbiotic relationship. You have this energy exchange that happens and you can make people go crazy or scream, cry, hug, react with you — you can shift moods. But as the DJ, your job is to be part of the emotional response, which in a livestream, there just isn’t that same feedback.

You have your radio show that you’ve been doing for five years. Has continuing that given you a sense of normalcy?
Absolutely. The second the radio studio shut down, they were super helpful in getting each resident set up at home. At first it was strange. You’re letting people into your home, which is a big stretch for some, but for others it’s just opening up another aspect of yourself. But having that every Saturday created a sense of, “Okay, I have something to do.” I’m feel lucky to have this radio show. It’s anchored me.

New York is one of those places full of crowds and that undeniable energy. Do you think there’s been a shift in that?
I’m not a born and raised New Yorker, but I love New York so much. I understand the people that had to leave. And I understand that people have wanted to leave — but I don’t want to leave. A lot of people that have been in New York through traumatic times can speak to this unique New York energy. When hurricane Sandy happened, we all held each other down and we all elevated each other and showed up for each other. I think that’s what makes people from New York so special. And we’ll have to see what’s at the other side of this, as far as nightclubs, as far as theaters and entertainment goes. It still feels too soon to speculate.

Is there anything you’ve had to adapt to during this time that you might actually want to continue when things go back to normal?
I started practicing Qigong a little bit in the morning, and that’s something my mom put me onto because she does Tai Chi and Qigong. I also journal everyday. There’s also just the pace. The first three weeks of the lockdown, we were just in shock and almost were like, “Okay, well, I was running at, say, 125% capacity, and now I can only really run at 25% capacity. When things feel a little bit more stable, I might be able to pick up the pace and go at 50%.” I still haven’t been able to go back to 100%, and I don’t even think I want to, because a lot of the realizations that I had around, “Well, I can finish these music projects” require a sense of stillness, and they require introspection and reflection. Those things cannot happen if you carry on day-to-day with a pace that is unmanageable and if you move at a speed that doesn’t allow you to nurture your instincts and to tell you that you need.

Moving forward, what are you optimistic about for 2020 and going into 2021?
My partner and I are starting a record label arm of Love Injection, and just kicked things off with the first release, which I’m so excited about. He’s had a label for a few years now, but having done the zine for five years and finding a natural progression to what the next chapter of that could be, is really exciting. It feels a bit scary, because the pace moves quicker when you’re dealing with release schedules. I’m excited for my music to come out, even if it fails, I don’t care. It’s more about being able to tell myself that I did that. I’m excited for…well, I’m hopeful for a greater, more conscious way of living and interacting with each other.