“Jordan is a taxidermist, Virgo, and collector of old treasures. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she briefly left the L.A. sun to study comic arts, footwear, and textiles at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After graduating, she returned to Los Angeles, where she worked in fashion before venturing to Arizona to attend taxidermy school at Arizona Taxidermy Training. Recently, she moved with her cat, Touch Pizza to the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. She enjoys eating ramen and watching Fleischer Studios cartoons.”
on her morning routine
Most mornings, my cat wakes me up by stepping on my face or pawing at the window curtain. This usually seems to happen long before my alarm is set for so I laze around before I have to begin grooming. After I’ve looked through all the cute animal posts on Instagram, I get up, shower, and begin my makeup routine. I usually like to put on some music when I’m doing my make-up. Ronnie Spector is my beauty icon so it’s oftentimes, 60’s girl groups in the morning.
on her work beginning
I studied comic arts, footwear, and textiles at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. When, I returned to Los Angeles, I knew I wanted to work for a leather goods company so I found a job at Clare V. Currently, I work for a vintage footwear reproduction company called Re-mix Vintage Shoes, where we make reproductions of shoe styles from the early 1900’s through the 1960’s.
on being a taxidermist
I’ve always been a collector of taxidermy and antiques. Given my background in shoemaking, I thought I might enjoy the taxidermy process. I started by taking classes at Prey Taxidermy and volunteering with Tim Bovard, the taxidermist at the Natural History Museum. When I had finally saved enough vacation time, I took a two month taxidermy course at Arizona Taxidermy Training. Now, I am trying to start my own ethical taxidermy studio.My favorite part of my taxidermy work would be when the animal starts to really look like the animal. Oftentimes, you start with a specimen that requires a lot of repairs and grooming and sometimes, you end up with something that is unusable. It’s really exciting when everything starts to come together and the animal begins to resemble his/her living self.
“I think any creative work I do is for myself. Making has always been really therapeutic for me. I love working with my hands and I have alway enjoyed detailed, labor-intensive methods of working. I know that when I’m not making something I’m not taking care of myself.
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on her love of comics
I developed a love for comics in my teen years. Chris Ware is one of the most amazing storytellers- he has a way of breaking your heart that leaves you wanting more.
on her accumulation of things
I seem to have a knack for accumulating a lot of things. There have been a few times in my life when I would watch a video or read an article on people who live minimally and I’d feel envious- I’ve given away a lot of clothing and furniture in these times but somehow, I keep collecting and I always end up with a lot of things. I do try to set rules for myself; for example, I collect ceramic unicorns but I only collect the ones with golden horns. I also collect crystals, old group portraits, and paintings of ships. I have a weakness for vintage Japanese ceramic figurines. Setting guidelines for myself makes collecting more fulfilling.
on shopping and her personal style
Ever since I began working for a vintage repro company, I have developed the thirst for vintage. I enjoy the hunt and there is something really satisfying about finding a really unique vintage item. The majority of my clothing is by Samantha Pleet. She just seems to know exactly what I want to wear. I also have quite a few beloved pieces by Heinui. Pamela Love, Tiro Tiro, and Goldengrove create the kind of jewelry I fantasize about. Vintage Coach and Eleven Thirty Shop make handbag staples. I make the effort to avoid fast and disposable fashion. I’d just rather save up and spend more on a piece I will love forever.
“I don’t listen to a lot of soundtracks but the Popeye OST by Harry Nilsson is gold.
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on her beauty and skincare routine
I have been trying to make more of an effort to take care of my skin; growing up, my mom would always tell me about the importance of moisturizing and I would just roll my eyes… but it’s true. I’m still trying to transition myself to cruelty-free products. It’s not easy to divorce myself from products I’ve been using since high school but I know it’s important to support companies with ethical practices (if anyone has suggestions for matte liquid eyeliner and foundation by cruelty-free companies, let me know). I like to use Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade Waterproof Brow Color, Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer, MAC Liquid Eye Liner, Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette, Chanel Perfection Lumière Velvet Smooth-Effect Makeup SPF15, Marvis Ginger Mint Toothpaste, and L'Occitane Lavender Extra-Gentle Lotion for Hands and Body
on her favorite taxidermy mounts in her home
My favorite mounts are probably my Mandarin duck and my caribou. The caribou diorama at the Natural History Museum is so magical so I knew I wanted to mount one when I went to taxidermy school.
on Ronnie Spector
I think a lot about what Ronnie Spector said in her autobiography about how she and the other Ronettes developed their look; ‘None of it was planned out; we just took the look we were born with and extended it.’
Outfit: Vintage
jordan's favorite books
The Sibley Guide to Birds Second Edition by David Allen Sibley, Acme Novelty Library #19 by Chris Ware, The Complete Poems and Plays by T.S. Elliot, Megahex by Fantagraphics, Cabinets of Wonder by Christine Davenne
jordan's favorite records
Have One on Me by Joanna Newsom, Popeye Soundtrack, All My Best by Slim Whitman, Talking Tiger Mountain by Strategy
Jordan's favorite places in los angeles
Myrtle for magic clothing by independent female designers
Pygmy Hippo Shoppe for a carefully curated collection of treasures of all kinds
Potato Chips Deli for sandwiches that have healing powers
Spellbound Sky for crystals and good vibes
Fur Stole: Vintage, Shoes: Remix vintage shoes
Photography by Claire Donoghue