Meet Mary Lo | Designer & Multifaceted Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Lo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
To be a successful fashion brand, you have to follow trends.

It seems ironic, because the success of a clothing brand almost always depends on whether or not you’re able to create pieces for trends on par with a release. However, I’ve realized with my brand that the niche comes from the originality of prints and pieces – creating pieces that don’t yet exist and are not oversaturating the market. It’s hard enough to compete with fashion houses and fast fashion, so instead, I’ve learned that carving out my own identity is not only what makes the brand successful, but also, is my creative imagination at its purest form that I love being able to share with my audience.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My brand is a genuine reflection of myself. It’s everything I want to have in my hands – whether it’s an accessory, clothing, or a one-off piece I’ve just decided to make on a whim. I love being able to have the opportunity and platform to share my creations with my audience, because I want them to feel the happiness and joy these creations bring me.

Honestly, I’m most excited about the growth of my brand. I’m not quite sure what it looks like at the moment, but I know the direction I’m going in is the right one. I’m eager to see where my creativity brings me, because the possibilities are truly endless.

Starting a creative business was definitely not easy. I’ve had years of experience working for other independent brands – overseeing their designs, tech packs, manufacturing orders, admin, fulfillment (the list goes on!) – in order to help ease me into my own process, yet it’s still hard and there’s always so much more to learn. It looks dreamy and fun most of the time, but nobody tells you how exhausting it can be. Sometimes delays can be predictable, but also unavoidable due to the nature of our world recuperating and reforming within a pandemic. However, every challenge I’ve encountered, I have learned to take them as lessons learned. I’ve learned to provide manageable pivots to allow things to continuously run as smoothly as possible.

Regardless, I love being able to do what I love! I love being able to share my creativity with others. And most importantly, I love being able to share my happiness with others!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If they’re an out-of-town friend that has never been to Texas, I like to lean into the “Wild West” idea by taking them to the Stockyards in Fort Worth. It’s a must-see on my list because I have fond memories of going down there with my parents when relatives from Taiwan would visit. It’s also overall fun being a tourist myself, catching a rodeo, and being able to talk to the cowboys and their longhorns!

As for actual Dallas hangs, I typically love being in either Old East Dallas or Oak Cliff. The food and drink possibilities are endless! One of my favorite spots for a casual coffee, quick bite, or even a drink with live music is definitely La Reunion. Of course, if I’m in the area, I’ll also stop by CocoAndre for a refreshing horchata (dirty, of course) while continuing my stroll about. If I want to go dancing, sometimes I’ll hit up Tiny Victories with friends if they have an event. I love hanging around the Oak Cliff / Bishop Arts area because it is still one of the few areas left in Dallas that embody culture and community. It’s also one of the few areas that consistently host pop-ups/markets for up-and-coming brands and businesses, so shopping is a must down there to discover new artists!

For Asian bites, I’ll stay towards Old Carrollton or Plano – you can find the best Korean food and double down on having a karaoke night. Or chow down on fresh hand-pulled noodles at Highland Noodle in the Plano/Frisco area. Oh, and of course a classic and authentic Peking duck at Tian Tian.

Last but not least, I’ll always bring them to chow down on the absolute best doughnuts at Detour Doughnuts up in Frisco. I could honestly eat their entire batch of mini apple fritters on any day of the week.

Because Dallas isn’t as walkable as most cities, I love being able to show the diversity of the food! We have some of the best chefs around, and I definitely love being able to share great food with great friends.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The list is so long! I’m so appreciative of the lessons taught to me while working alongside other brands, designers, and other multifaceted creators out there. Without their lessons and knowledge, I’d still be twiddling my thumbs wondering about all the big “what ifs” while being too scared to take the leap that has led me to where I am today.

Throughout all of this, my biggest supporter has been my mom! She’s a momager for sure (haha!), but has truly taught me strength and resilience to continue pushing for growth. Without her support, I don’t think I would have ever had the courage to take the leap of faith and dive head first into creating my brand. She’s taught me how to stand my ground and be a power house on my own. Knowing that I have her supporting my creative growth and endeavors means the world to me. Sometimes we see eye to eye, and sometimes we don’t, but it’s nice to have another set of eyes to help me steer the boat!

My best friend Odette, who is also a creative powerhouse, keeps me on track and is extremely understanding of how I work. Although she’s equally as busy managing her own creative endeavors, it’s nice to have someone who helps me focus, sees my vision and helps lead me to an end goal. She definitely keeps me on track as well (because sometimes I aim for too much in a time crunch), but overall is a wonderful support to my brand and our friendship. We understand that when it comes to the brand, it’s all business – and that’s something I truly admire and appreciate within our friendship.

My sweet boyfriend, Gavin, is also another huge supporter. We have completely different career paths, but he is understanding of my hectic schedule. He’s much more logical than I am, so it’s refreshing to have differing perspectives when I do poach questions or ideas to him about my brand. He is a huge advocate for my mental health – which sometimes, I stray away from because of my own long hours I put in – and is gentle in reminding me that it’s okay to take a breather and mull on ideas. He’s always enthusiastic for me to reach for the stars and to dream bigger, but also reminding me to take a break on the way there. Balance is key!

Website: www.by-marylo.com

Instagram: himarylo

Image Credits
Audrey La Max Kutz Jacob Tran