October 28, 2024

Gifts and the City

featuring Jessica Wu

In a city of over 8 million busy people, Jessica Wu’s thoughtful personality is impressionable. During her photoshoot at the kissaten-style cafe Davelle, its owner recognizes her and comes out to greet her.

Wu’s thoughtfulness and open-mindedness have not only fostered meaningful connections but have also led to unique collaborations. A creative force by nature, Wu’s willingness to explore, take risks, and challenge herself has led her to excel in the dynamic New York fashion industry as co-founder of Peter Do, strategist, PR director, producer, model, and stylist. 

Despite her accomplishments including clients like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Apple, and Sulwhasoo, Wu is not one to only celebrate herself. She deeply appreciates those in her life. “I remain inspired by my talented, loving, and supportive friends,” she shares. “Their unique aspirations, incredible achievements, and philosophies towards living all inspire me for the better.”  So, it’s no surprise that Wu loves giving gifts. She says, “I consider gift-giving to be one of my love languages, and I pride myself in giving great gifts!” (And her recommendations do not disappoint - scroll down for a peek).

By living intentionally, she has always been clear about her needs and desires. Wu reflects on evolving without compromise, “I just refuse to be willingly uncomfortable in a city that’s already tough as is!” Whether it’s dining with her friends at Torishin or working on a new collaboration, Wu thrives in NYC at her own cadence.

photography by Kelsey Cherry

1.

Becky Kim: What influences your personal taste and lifestyle today, and what remains a consistent source of inspiration for you?

Jessica Wu: My personal taste and lifestyle today are driven by my pursuit of comfort and ease. I spent so much of my early adulthood wanting to mature, to fast forward to what I imagined was the “pinnacle” of my career, that I didn’t let myself slow down and enjoy the moments while I was experiencing them. After intentionally slowing down over the last year, I reconnected with the things that were most important for myself and my health. It’s kind of funny because I don’t even wear heels higher than 2.5” anymore, and that attitude goes for personal style and lifestyle–I just refuse to be willingly uncomfortable in a city that’s already tough as is!

I remain inspired by my talented, loving, and supportive friends. Their unique aspirations, incredible achievements, and philosophies towards living all inspire me for the better. 

New yolker by superegg

2.

Becky Kim: You have a deep understanding of the fashion industry and the work required to bring an idea life. What is one of your most rewarding behind-the-scenes experience?

Jessica Wu: I think one of the most rewarding behind-the-scenes experiences was when my team and I first launched our brand and saw online sales trickle in immediately. We were all joking about how no one had slept or showered in days and everyone started yelling when the orders rolled in before our eyes. Almost every subsequent collection, event, and show, gave me the same exhilaration and feeling of pride despite the grueling hours and nonstop toiling. 

3.

Becky Kim: When you take time for yourself, how do you practice self-care and show yourself some love?

Jessica Wu: I used to be consumed by the need to be constantly productive. Even on weekends, I’d set alarms so I wouldn’t sleep in and obsessively made to-do lists for myself. After some time, I begrudgingly started to treat former hobbies (such as doing makeup, and shooting content) as mundane tasks to check off. My professional life and personal life were so enmeshed that I was struggling to set boundaries between the two. It was only a few years ago on my very first independent vacation as an adult that I was compelled to preserve my sanity. It was my first time in my entire career that I turned off my email notifications and made a concerted effort to engage in true rest and relaxation!

To me, self-care is about leaning into your instincts and listening to your body and mind, whether it’s fitness, sleep, eating, or more. I try not to deny myself the many pleasures in life! Sometimes you do have to binge that silly TV show. 

4.

Becky Kim: Has culture (can be any type eg. NY culture, family) influenced your approach to gift-giving? If so, how?

Jessica Wu: I consider gift-giving to be one of my love languages and I pride myself in giving great gifts! When I was younger and didn’t have much expendable income, I was crafty and resourceful, often making my own gifts from scratch. When I became more financially stable, I liked to give gifts that were more so experiences, such as treating people to amazing meals in the best restaurants NYC had to offer. 

These days, it’s a balance - I still hand make all my cards, but the people I have in my life–their inclinations, hobbies, and passions–definitely help inform my gift giving. With most of my friends being in creative industries, I tend to go practical with something they’ll use often, or ornamental, with something decorative that fits their aesthetic. 

Jessica's Gift Recommendations

UPSTATE TRIP TO SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK

Small, quaint town with great vintage shopping and a short drive to great eateries in the Hudson Valley

$price varies

DINNER AT TORISHIN

I love how quiet and intimate this Michelin-starred chicken-focused yakitori spot is

$Price varies

INSTAX POLAROID CAMERA

Everything is completely digitized these days, but I still love being able to hold a photograph in my hand or put it on my wall!

$80

CUTE STUFFED ANIMAL

Everyone–even grown adults!--likes an adorable plushie. Prove me wrong!

$Price Varies

WOMEN'S LIBERATION AND THE AFRICAN FREEDOM STRUGGLE

Better worlds are possible and Sankara’s astonishing and revolutionary 4 years of leadership in 1980s Burkina Faso prove precisely how. A great life-changing text for anyone.

$6

EDDIE PARKER

Tabletop Lighters

$195

5.

Becky Kim: If you could go back in time and give your 18 year old self a gift, what would it be?

Jessica Wu: I guess I would have given myself the same thing I received from my parents when I was 18! Unlike most of my peers, I didn’t get a cellphone until I graduated high school, and for better or worse, having access to social media definitely changed my life. When I moved to New York City for college, it felt like I had the entire world at my fingertips, physically and digitally.

6.

Becky Kim: Which icon, living or dead, would you want to invite to your place for a meal and what would you cook?

Jessica Wu: I think I would have to invite André Leon Talley. He would undoubtedly have incredible insight–piping hot tea, to be honest–on the industry, as he watched it evolve over a few generations. I’d make some of my favorite Taiwanese dishes - lu rou fan stewed pork over rice with pickled mustard greens, yan su ji popcorn chicken fried with thai basil and dusted with white pepper, cong you bing scallion pancake made from scratch, and my grandma’s eternal cucumber pickles - smashed and brined in rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and entire cloves of crushed garlic. 

7.

Becky Kim: What is one of the best and most memorable gifts you’ve received?

Jessica Wu: One of the first gifts my boyfriend ever got me when we started dating was an electric heating pad for menstrual cramps. I had been using reusable microwave heat pads for ages and I’m not being dramatic when I say that this drastically improved my life. Years later, every time I use it I always have to tell him that this is still the best gift I’ve ever received! 

8.

Becky Kim: What are your favorite NY Gems and why?

Jessica Wu:

1. Bar Pisellino - West Village Italian cafe/bar with lots of outdoor seating and great people-watching. 

2. Harbs - Hands down the best cake shop in NYC with so many delicious flavors it’s hard to choose! 

3. Conservatory Garden in Central Park - This gorgeous, well-kept garden of rose bushes, flowering trees, fountains, and an overlooking terrace with vined trellises is a perfect spot to relax and read. 

4. Dashi Okume - A unique multipurpose retail space where you can make your own dried dashi mix from scratch, shop specialty groceries, sit down and eat, and browse various Japanese artisans. 

5. Shanghai 21 - Hands down my favorite restaurant in Chinatown since forever. Delicious and affordable pan fried pork buns, sauteed rice cakes, and lion’s head meatballs.

TERA's
CULTURE SHIFTERS

A curation of intentional people who are uniquely redefining societal norms through their lifestyles.

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