Designer Profile| Mary Meyer

Mary Meyer's designs are not your typical, prep-school, rich-kid designs. Try grungy, "kid-who-couldn't-care-less" edgy clothes that seem to have been made for those who have an attitude problem. 
Look at it like this - if you're looking for a pretty party dress or a lovely skirt to wear for Sunday brunch with the ladies, you're in the wrong place. But if you're looking for that perfect top to go with your ripped jeans or for that totally sick skirt for the party Saturday night, you've come to the right place.


So without further ado, I present to you, the très magnifique, Mary Meyer:

Why did you choose to be a designer? Was it something you always wanted?
I never thought I would be a clothing designer for a living. In school I studied painting, weaving, printmaking, fabric printing and welding. When I graduated I started to make a lot of clothes for myself for fun, when people started wanting to buy them I very organically started selling to people I knew.


How would you describe your design aesthetic? Do you think that it has changed over time? If so, how?
My design aesthetic has definitely changed over time. I started designing in the Bay Area where fashion is a bit more conservative. The move to NY encouraged me to take more risks. The momentum here has helped put me in clearer touch with my own design sensibility.


What kind of woman would wear an Mary Meyer piece?
She has a lot to do and wants to look good and be comfortable doing it.

What if your favorite part of being a designer?
Doing something creative for a living, being my own boss and seeing cute guys and cute girls get cuter when they put my clothes on.


And the worst?
The worst part is the anxiety of being in charge of everything, of knowing the whole thing will fall apart if you mess up.


What kind of fabric do you most like to use?
Jersey – because its soft and malleable.


What is your favorite color?
I like all colors, but I do wear a lot of black.

Embellishments or no embellishments?
Embellishments; be it a print or jewelry


Busy prints of simple pattens/solid colors?
I’m a print junkie, so for me all of the above.


What inspires your work as a designer?
Everything around me: the beach, the woods, friends, African prints, Japanese textiles, maps, music, bands, Internet, architectural drawings.


What is your dream project?
Wallpapering a museum in one of my prints.


If you could dress any one celebrity, which one would you choose?
Rihanna.

Describe your philosophy on the art of fashion. 
I think there is an undeniable connection between fashion and art. Take Matisse and his collection of textiles that informed and influenced his paintings or Lady Gaga, our newest fashion icon, basically being a modern day performance/conceptual artist full of questions of identity and what is “real”. In my own work, the prints I make always start as paintings or woodcuts.


If you could be anything other than a fashion designer, what would you be?  
I would be a musician or a teacher.


Any parting words of advice for future designers?
Write a business plan, I didn’t. Lastly, follow your gut.

You can see more of Mary's fabulous designs *here*