Zoo York co-founder Eli Morgan Gesner on the truth about 'success'
- Text by Huck HQ / Anthony Pappalardo
- Photography by Andrew White
#9 – Eli Morgan Gesner
As the co-founder of Zoo York, Eli Morgan Gesner saw his brand gain the adoration of skaters and denim-heads worldwide. What’s more, by the time Ecko purchased the company, he’d managed to achieve the sort of financial success that eludes many small, independent fashion labels and skate brands. In many ways he looked to be living the dream. Before long, though, Gesner chose to leave the company in search of new adventures. Now making his first film, Gesner told us about his insatiable desire for new challenges.
“You have to figure out what you value in life. Our society tries to sell you on the idea of accumulating money and material good — that makes you successful. The house, the hot car, a dope sneaker collection — it’s a fucking lie. I’m the person that sells it to you and I’m telling you it’s a fucking lie. The value in life, is life.”
This is just a short excerpt from Huck’s Fiftieth Special, a collection of fifty personal stories from fifty inspiring lives.
Grab a copy now to read all fifty stories in full. Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss another issue.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Halcyon, end of summer days in ’80s Massachusetts
Bell Pond — Stephen DiRado’s new photobook is a nostalgic look at blissed out moments of young love, family and coming of age at a swimming pond in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Written by: Miss Rosen
The groundbreaking photography of Gordon Parks
Voices in the Mirror — A new exhibition dives deep into the legendary lensman’s archive, who captured the Civil Rights Movement and Black America like no other.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A chaotic portrait of an ’80s American farming family
Holy Cow! — Melonie Bennett grew up on a farm in Maine in the ’80s, and documented her family’s idiosyncratic daily life. She presents those humorous, everyday memories in a new exhibition and photobook.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Nick Danziger’s striking vision of everyday British life in the ’90s
The British 1994-1999 — The renowned photojournalist returned to his birth country on the cusp of the Millennium, capturing its contradictions with humour and wit.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Exploring girlhood and land ancestry in Sudan’s cotton fields
Cotton Queen – A new feature debut from filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani explores the legacy of colonialism and the fight for self-determination through the tender eyes of a teenage girl.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Portraits of gay bears through a rooftop hatch
Big Boys On My Roof™ — Growing up, Anthony Stockdale struggled with his love for bigger men. His new photo series celebrates the bear community.
Written by: Anthony Stockdale