Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Lo.
Mary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a kid, I have always been creative. I went from drawing Pokémon and creating my own cartoon characters, to eventually going into a fashion design “phase” that I haven’t left. Growing up in a Chinese household, my parents only saw art as being a hobby rather than a career path. Eventually, I was also convinced I couldn’t become an artist because I knew more people wanting to become doctors or lawyers and understood the idea of future career stability. Even if it couldn’t become my career, I never wanted to give up the release I felt from creating.
It was in my sophomore year in high school that I decided to pivot my career path from cardiologist to fashion designer. Unfortunately, I did poorly in my biology class that year and convinced myself there was no way I could suffer my way through medical school if I could barely understand basic biology. I remember worrying and thinking to myself, “what was I going to do and eventually study in college if the one thing I thought I could do was no longer an option?” At that moment I knew, the only other passion I truly had was everything I had explored thus far as a creative, but more specifically, being able to create and design my own clothing.
But becoming a fashion designer always felt like a cliche. It’s always seemed like this faraway dream of a lavish lifestyle filled with never-ending beautiful clothing. We see it in shows like Gossip Girl or movies like The Parent Trap and now, Disney’s Cruella, where the viewer gets a glimpse of how effortlessly easy it seems to put together a beautiful piece of clothing. But it isn’t at all easy. It’s a never-ending puzzle spiraling in your mind – a puzzle that I have fallen in love with ever since the first time I decided to attend a sewing club off campus, during my lunch breaks. Finding this sewing club felt like fate. It was just myself, a rambunctiously spirited 75-year-old, Betty-Anne, and the club leader (or teacher), Ms. Cynthia. I remember stepping into the Bernina store in Addison – now torn down and replaced by a Sam’s Club – being so nervous, knowing nothing about sewing at all except for wanting to learn and figure out if fashion design was really something I could continue with. With every session I attended, the more I found myself wanting to learn and challenge myself. I went from learning the basics of how to use a sewing machine, to being able to create and sew my junior year prom dress. Looking back, I definitely owe it to all the encouraging ladies at that Bernina store who all gave me their sewing secrets of many years; but most importantly, I owe it to Ms. Cynthia – the woman who not only led the sewing club sessions but also provided me with an extensive knowledge of design and garment construction due to her many years of experience creating Miss America pageant dresses.
Like I said – it was fate. For the last 3 years of my high school experience, I molded my time around balancing school, other sports extracurriculars, sewing club, and additional sewing sessions to learn as much as possible. As a result, the hard work paid off when I found out I was accepted into the fashion design program at Parsons as well as the foundation program at UAL – located in London. I knew the fashion design program at Parsons was everything I had dreamed about, but because I love my cliches, London was calling. I didn’t want to go to New York because I felt like I would be too comfortable. I had other friends already attending schools out there and even going to the same program, but I decided I really wanted to go full force and learn how to rediscover myself personally and as an artist.
Eventually, I spent 7 years in London and graduated with a degree in Textile Design. Because I already had the basics and knowledge of sewing, I knew I wanted to expand my knowledge of design that could be applicable to both fashion and other creative practices. Within those 7 years, I was able to grasp and experience so many opportunities — like working for brands at London Fashion Week for 4 seasons and independent design houses. I made so many lifelong friends and connections and truly learned what and how I could dedicate a career to a craft I so desperately enjoyed.
Fast forward to today and I own my own company, HiLo Creative, Inc., which houses my brand, Mary Lo. I design and sample all clothing, accessories, and print designs in my studio then outsource work to my team of tailors and small manufacturers to help with small-batch productions. Every day, I get to live and create my whimsical dreams onto clothing, alongside learning how to overcome never-ending small business challenges. With the occasional help of my mom and wonderful friend, Odette, I run my company by myself and will never stop encouraging my audience to embrace their never-ending youthfulness and colorful selves.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not. When I first moved to London, I cried for about six months. I missed my family, friends, and home so much so, I thought I had chosen the wrong place to study. I remember desperately wanting to go home, but at the same time, I knew I didn’t want to give up the opportunity.
With graduating, design jobs were not only competitive but barely paid a livable London wage. So, I decided to continuously freelance in order to understand how to both work for myself and understand the worth of my work. As an artist, I feel like this is a formative lesson to learn – and is a lesson I’m still learning. Through freelancing, I learned how to write contracts and invoices, and somehow do my taxes.
With my personal brand, it’s been a roller coaster. With the freeze in 2021, my entire studio was flooded out due to a bursted pipe. I lost so much of my work, both archived and future products, and had an enormous amount of damaged inventory. It was a near-catastrophic financial loss to both the physical space and my items. Moreover, because of the pandemic, I have experienced and continue to experience the effects of supply chain shortages as well as the inflation in shipping. My timelines for manufacturing are sometimes delayed because of both shortages and influx of shipping, making it also difficult for myself to release new products and line sheets to my wholesale clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I am the founder and designer for my brand Mary Lo and am a “Texas Raised, London Made” designer, with formative years of design practice cultivated in both Texas and London. I specialize in creating eclectic, adult-sized children’s wear to encourage all to embrace their never-ending youthfulness and colorful selves. All designs are original and created ethically with sustainable practices and materials.
I am most proud of being able to not only create, but also share something that truly is an extension of my creativity and happiness. Seeing the joy some of my silly designs provide to both adults and children, is something I will never get tired of.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom is a big cheerleader in success. She’s always been by my side assisting me as much as she can – especially when it comes to communicating with manufacturers overseas. Although she says she’s too old to wear my clothes, she definitely loves creating her outfits with the clothing I’ve designed and I’ve never seen her smile wider than when she’s in my clothes. Having her support my brand means so much to me especially because I know it was hard seeing me choose an unconventional career.
My wonderful friend, Odette is another huge supporter I’ve been so lucky to have. She’s someone who truly understands both my thought process and has seen the hardships faced behind the scenes of the business. She somehow always knows how to provide me with the support I need in the moment and is both a great friend and another incredible creative I feel constantly inspired by.
Ms. Cynthia – the woman who taught me nearly everything I’ve learned about sewing! An incredible woman and an amazing mentor I were so lucky to have had when learning how to sew and understanding garment construction.
My sweet boyfriend, Gavin, who always reminds me to take a breather and take care of myself whilst also taking care of me when things get tough.
My customers!! They are all ALL-STARS! They’re the ones who have been able to connect me to more and more people every day as well as showing me new ways to style my clothing. They provide never-ending support and it’s great when I get to interact with them – whether in person at pop-ups or on Instagram!
Contact Info:
- Email: mary@by-marylo.com
- Website: www.by-marylo.com
- Instagram: @himarylo
Image Credits
Taylor Mae Hernandez
Max Kutz
Swoon Luna
Dawn Creative
Sarah Fun
