World Wide Wolf Baby
Photographed by Hannah Siegfried
Photography: Hannah Siegfried
Interview: Isis Nicole
Morgan, 32, also known as, Wolfbaby, is building up a powerhouse reputation. Working as a DJ, producer, and metalsmith across four continents, she also runs an e-commerce shop Eros Mortis, that showcases independent designers from all over the world. We met for lunch at Sino in San Jose - her treat - where she declares her love for Asian cuisine, and teaches me to stay away from iced beverages if I want to improve fertility. Before I know it, our sublime bonding has come to an end, and it's time for her to travel to Chicago for her next gig, including her shoot for this issue. After months of coordinating, we finish our interview over emails during her commute from Asia to Europe.
Isis Nicole: What were your interests growing up?
Wolfbaby: I was interested in everything that had to do with art, music, and fashion. I grew up a music nerd [and] started playing the piano when I was maybe six-years-old. I went on to learn the violin in high school, got into choir, and played in an orchestra as a percussionist. I also really got into ballet and painting. I used to draw a lot of anime styled characters and put elaborate clothing on them, conjuring up new outfits. [That] was my favorite.
IN: Where did you get your sense of style?
W: I’ve always been more interested in what the subculture side of things had to offer. I went through your typical teen angst phases in school, from punk, goth, to your stable ‘90s baby girl looks. Anything that was a juxtaposition of hard masculinity and soft femininity combined was my go-to. I feel like I go through periods of time when I want to dress more relaxed, casual, tomboyish, but I also like to feel sexy and girlish other times, so I try to mix it up. My more recent influences primarily come from streetwear in Asia and Europe as I have spent a lot of time working with Eurasian brands in the last five years.
IN: Did you imagine that you'd be where you are today?
W: Not quite [laughs]. My creative life has taken quite a few turns weaving in and out of fashion, music, and art. A lot of unforeseeable events that took place in my life really shaped the direction I took to get to where I am today. It definitely hasn’t been easy, but I’m very happy with where my creative endeavors are taking me these days.
IN: Can you share a little bit of your professional background?
W: When I was performing as a dancer growing up, I always loved doing makeup for my friends I was performing with. This got me extremely interested in working in the beauty industry after I dropped out of Uni as a Theatre Arts major. The university system was just not for me, so I opted to go to Paul Mitchell’s in San Francisco to get my cosmetology license when I was 19-years-old. Ever since I got my license, I have worked for numerous startup labels and e-com companies like Modcloth, Everlane, and Boombotix. I managed to learn a lot of the technical skills of running a business from working with other small or growing businesses. Through collaborating with amazing stylists, designers, photographers, and models, I learned how to apply these skills in a fashion setting. Simultaneously, I had been working in the music industry as a promoter and DJ.
IN: How has starting your own business changed your life?
W: In the winter of 2012, I took a big step away from working full time in the music industry and decided to build my online shop after realizing a new and exciting fashion scene was taking place in my hometown, Taipei. Around this time Instagram was really starting to pop off on the fashion front. 'Slime', 'cyberpunk', 'Internet', 'Tumblr' art aesthetics, and the maturing of gender neutrality awareness was getting more exposure than ever before, so I wanted to create an online shop that catered to this audience. I wanted to connect with more artists, designers, musicians, and people interested in this niched cultural empire that was built largely based on what was being shared on the Internet. I wanted to create a more inviting shopping experience for the people that vibed with unisex styles, who didn’t fit into your basic trends and played on gender ambiguity. A shop with something for everyone that felt like an outsider in a mainstream world. Eros Mortis has been the most humbling learning experience of my life. I probably would have never learned how to do half the things I am capable of now if it wasn’t for me wanting to save money on running the shop. I’ve gotten to work with the most amazing souls on this planet, and we’ve been through thick and thin together as friends and business associates. I work with people I respect and admire that also feels the same way about me, it’s been a real blessing to say the least.
IN: How have you responded to your accomplishments?
W: To be honest, I go back and forth. I don’t have much support in life coming from my own family in terms of what I do. I grew up very traditionally Taiwanese and moved to the States on my own when I was 10-years-old, so my parents never quite got what I was doing with my life all these years. Luckily, they’ve never really objected! But there have definitely been moments of self-doubt, and sleepless nights of, “Am I really doing good enough? Am I really cut out for this?” It’s hard to always be objective to what I’ve actually accomplished, but I think this is something most creative individuals experience. Every time I’ve been in a funk like that someone reaches out to me and tell me how much they love what I’m doing, and it’s very reassuring and always manages to pull me back into the light. It’s funny how energy works like that.
IN: Can you describe your most humble moment?
W: When I was 19-years-old I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (an autoimmune disorder which affects the lining of your joints, causing painful swelling that can result in bone erosion). For months the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with me, and I was in so much pain that I couldn't get out of bed or even bathe myself. My joints from jaw to toe were locked up. It was extremely scary. I was away from family, I barely knew how to take care of adulting let alone adding illness on top of this new and stressful experience. I didn’t know what to do. This happened three months after I started Paul Mitchell to pursue my cosmetology license, which was a real bummer because it felt like I had finally found my passion and was able to direct it into this one thing I knew I would be really good at. It felt like the universe was telling me I couldn’t do all the things I’ve always loved doing. I couldn’t dance anymore, or play the piano, I couldn’t even hold a pencil. I had to relearn how to do some of the most basic things like sitting down on the ground and getting up off the floor. Opening water bottles became difficult [and] I was driving my car with the shafts of my forearms on the steering wheel because my joints were so incredibly tender to the touch. Throughout this whole time, I was still pursuing my cosmetology license, and I had to find every ounce of strength in my body to not quit. I didn’t. I went to school in excruciating pain every day. I did the damn thing. I graduated, I tested and passed the states board in two tries. I’m proud of myself for having gone through with this and kept up my promise to myself.
This period of my life was a truly humbling experience because it opened my eyes to what mattered the most during my time in this world. My health and happiness. Nothing else really meant much if you look at the big picture. No matter how much money you make, how successful you become, how many people admire you for what you do, if your body and mental health is in a bad place you wouldn’t be able to enjoy anything you build for yourself. Just this year alone, both Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, two beautiful creative souls took their own lives after having accomplished so much, and that further confirmed my belief that people should put their happiness first. We chase a lot of things in life because we are deeply influenced by capitalism, social trends, and the media. I think it’s important to be mindful of what matters above all of that.
IN: What's the kindest thing someone has done for you?
W: During my first on-set of RA symptoms, I lived with a good friend at the time, Tamara, and she was the only person I could rely on. She took care of me when I could barely move. She used to carry me out of bed and put me in the bath, brushed my hair and helped me maintain a relatively normal life when I was going through a tremendous amount of pain. I think it’s difficult enough as it is for young adults like us to be out in the world without a real support system. We were in between trying to figure out ourselves, trying to undo the damage others have done onto us, and staying afloat in the waves of depression while working jobs we hated. To add physical stress on top of everything was a lot to handle, so I really appreciated that she managed to take care of me, too.
IN: What's the kindest thing you've done for someone?
W: If I like someone, I will share everything I have with them if they are in a bad spot. I’ve taken friends in when they had nowhere to go, driven across states lines just to get someone out of a bind, and talked to people when they are in a bad headspace so they don’t become a danger to themselves. I try to reciprocate the kindness I’ve received as much as I can in my personal and professional life.
IN: What do you daydream about?
W: I daydream a lot about having clones! It’s not easy trying to maintain so many jobs at once, and imagine the efficiency! I also daydream about laying on islands with no one around, just completely disconnected with everything but nature.
IN: What's the coolest thing you've learned about yourself?
W: I am driven by love in this life.
IN: How do you take yourself out of your comfort zone?
W: When I was much younger and fresh to the adult life, I used to have horrible social anxiety. I would make up excuses for why I didn’t want to go out and be around people. Sure, I would have close friends that I would hang out with all the time but going out to face mass crowds of people just didn’t vibe with me. I knew this was something I had to get over, so I got myself a job at a guerrilla styled promotional company where I had to hand out flyers to strangers in various clubs and festivals in the Bay Area. It was hard but eventually I just got over it. I still get social anxiety sometimes now, but at least I can manage to be around crowds of people more often. I just find ways to overcome my fears.
IN: What's your dream collaboration?
W: Fangophilia or Justine Clenquet for jewelry, composer Nobuo Uematsu for music, and Alexander Wang for fashion.
IN: What do you have coming up?
W: I’m in the middle of pivoting my business and building a new brand. Also working on a lot of new and amazing projects on the music front. I can’t wait to continue building with everyone I’ve worked with in the last decade!
IN: What do you want to be remembered for?
W: Being a good person, a good daughter, and a good friend.
IN: What comes to mind when you think of the word "increase”?
W: Happiness, love and strength.
Favorite book:
“Homo Deus” by Yuval Noah Harari.
Favorite album:
“Dirty Dancing” by Swayzak
Favorite scent:
Lilacs
Favorite landmark:
Taipei 101, it always reminds me that I’m home.
Favorite piece of advice:
Be around people who inspire you to want to be a better person. And don’t take drinks or drugs from strangers.