Today we’d like to introduce you to Andie Day.
Hi Andie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Mary Claret Studio in my last semester as a graduate student in the Theater Arts program at UT Austin. I started my career as a stylist and costumer in the film and television industry working in the costume department on several network television series’, joining IATSE, the union for film industry employees, and moved to Austin from Dallas to attend UT for graduate school in studying Theater Design (focus in Costume Design), assuming I would stay in the costume design field.
I’ve always been a curious person, and while at UT, took a course in the MBA program where I worked with a group of students to develop an apparel brand. Curiosity got the best of me and I became pretty obsessed with apparel production and began having small batches of clothing produced at small factories in Dallas.
My brand focuses on apparel that’s handmade in the US using natural material. I design with simple, modern shapes that flatter the body for women of any age. I currently design clothing for sizes XS-XXL and pre-wash my fabrics to give my clothing a softened feel.
I graduated with my MFA in Theater Design from UT and accepted a teaching position at Baylor University in the fashion program. I taught at Baylor for five years and slowly worked on growing Mary Claret Studio on the side while trying to balance my teaching role. I left Baylor at the end of the 2021 school year to pursue working on Mary Claret Studio full time.
My name is Andie and people often assume that I’m “Mary Claret”. So I thought I’d share the story behind the name of the brand. I’m the kind of designer who really wishes I could hide behind my pretty clothes and never have to be the center of attention so it just made me cringe to have my name on the brand. I needed a muse to represent the brand that wasn’t me. Texture and textiles are a huge part of my inspiration as a designer. I learned that Anthony Mary Claret was the patron saint of textiles – so I took the name, feminized it to create the brand name.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never a smooth road for an independent clothing designer. There are worlds of hoops to jump through and I’m sure they’ll be more. Right now, we make many of our pieces in our East Austin studio while many of our styles are made in small factories in Dallas. Making clothing in small batches is expensive so I’m currently working on building up the number of items I purchase when placing orders. It’s always a gamble to place a big order so I’m working overtime to eliminate risk and guarantee the best clothing quality.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At Mary Claret Studio, we produce women’s apparel in small batches in Texas with a focus on high-quality materials and fit. We design for women with a variety of body types and produce size-inclusive clothing from size XS -XXL.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Being a customer would be awesome! Supporting any small fashion brands helps quality apparel production stay in the United States.
Pricing:
- $22 of a linen bandana
- $108 for the Morgan Tank
- $148 for the Becca Boat Neck Tee
- $178 for the House Pants
- $168 for a Custom Wrap Skirt
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@maryclaret.com
- Website: www.maryclaret.com
- Instagram: @maryclaretstudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryclaretUSA
Image Credits:
Elle Wildhagen
