Essentials: Dr. Woo
The tattoo artist shares his on-the-go staples ahead of his ‘Everything is Permanent’ book launch.
Making his start at the infamous Shamrock Social Club as an apprentice to the legendary Mark Mahoney, Taiwanese-American tattoo artist Dr. Woo has built his personal brand over the years to become one of the most sought-after tattoo artists in L.A. and the world.
Having received his first formal tattoo at 14, and after 10 years honing his craft at the Shamrock Social Club starting at the age of 18, Dr. Woo set up his own private studio at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in 2017— Hideaway at Suite X. His intricate single-needle tattoos can be found on an extensive list of celebrity clientele including Drake, Zoe Kravitz, Kevin Durant, Cara Delevigne, and through social media, Dr. Woo has been able to document and share his creations with millions of enthusiasts who follow his works. Beyond his expertise as a tattooist, the success of his art has paved the road for other entrepreneurial ventures including collaborations with the likes of Sacai, Adobe, and Lamborghini.
We catch up with the artist as he launches his first hardcover book, Everything is Permanent, which offers a visual compilation of the evolution of his designs thus far and the stories behind his most beloved pieces. “The book means a lot to me- it’s a collection of a lot of different drawings and tattoos that represent my creative path to where I am now,” says Dr. Woo. “It’s just a small glimpse into the last decade or so, but hopefully we can build in different volumes and add more stories and more ideas to inspire others who look through them.”
For our latest Essentials installment, Dr. Woo showcases a range of custom pieces, his most recent collaborations, work wares, and more.
Everything Is Permanent Book by Dr. Woo
This book is something that catalogs my work from a little under the past decade. Put together by the talented Brian Roettinger and published by my friends at Citizens of Humanity. I’m proud of these images and stories and hope to inspire others on their creative journey.
Drawing Supplies
These are daily tools in my arsenal for drawing and art. This particular sharpie has a custom pen cap by GOOD ART HLYWD.
Customized Kanghyuk Hat
This is my favorite hat made from airbag material made by Kanghyuk. I drew some spiders on it…
Goyard Passport Holder
Since I use my passport a lot, this is an essential to keep it safe in.
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Dr. Woo x Roger Dubuis 1 of 1 Watch
This watch comes alongside a limited-piece run we launched last year. I had this minimal black titanium one made for myself.
Citizens of Humanity x Dr. Woo Everything is Permanent Fleece Collection
This collection is a closing accompaniment to the hard work put into the book. It offers premium coziness with printed designs from the book cover designed by Brian Roettinger.
Woo Skin Aftercare Kit
Painstakingly crafted to our highest standards, this skincare kit of unscented soap and moisturizer is a daily essential for any hydration needs as well as the best tattoo aftercare.
Custom Birkenstocks
Nothing cozier on my feet than birks. Figured I’d customize some for myself and my friends.
Woo Skin Hand Sanitizer
This is one of my favorite sold-out products. Perfect smelling anytime hand-sanitizer.
Leica Q Camera
I’ve been shooting mostly tattoos and cityscapes on my travels.
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
Cameron Strand
We noticed your recent NFT collaborations. Could you share some of your thoughts regarding the Web 3.0 space and your experience with the Ledger Nano X hard wallet?
I think it’s an exciting place to start venturing into, but also tread carefully as with any new space, there could be pitfalls. A hard wallet is a great way to keep things secure.
Aside from the reference to the permanence of tattoos, is there a story behind the book name— Everything is Permanent?
Tattoos are only permanent until death, so in actuality, they’re the least permanent. With the work printed on pages, now the permanence is forever.
