In the Garden with Mary Meyer

Mary Meyer sits on a sawn-off stump in the garden behind Roberta’s in Bushwick, basking in the early spring sunshine. She looks at home in this patch of Brooklyn, surrounded by bark mulch and the first spring sprouts from the pizzeria’s garden. While her natural ease seems striking at first, by the end of our interview, I can imagine very few places where this young designer wouldn’t seem equally relaxed. Comfort, simple lines, and eye catching prints are three key elements in Mary Meyer’s collections. And, like Meyer, the pieces adapt wonderfully to their surroundings. From the beach to the bar to the office and back again, the stand-out staples become the perfect outfit, no matter what the environment or occasion.

Meyer is a New York City transplant from the western coast of California. “Venice in the 80s was amazing” she says, recalling her childhood stomping ground. Rows of boardwalk tee-shirt vendors gave the designer an early education in graphic art and left a lasting impression. This “serious beach kid” soon grew up and attended the California College of the Arts near San Francisco before starting her eponymous clothing line in Oakland.

One can see the influence of 80s design and youthful beach bumming throughout all of Meyer’s collections. Bold strokes and geometric shapes emblazon her oversized tanks and tees, while her maxi dresses and tunics double as perfect cover-ups for upcoming summer days in the Rockaways. In fact, if headed that direction, you’ll likely run into the sea-loving Meyer hanging out at Beach 96 enjoying the burgeoning enclave of designers and food trucks which, she assures me, are going to make it the coolest place to be this summer.

Now that Meyer has produced more collections in Brooklyn than California, I am curious to know how the change in environment has affected her creative output.

“When I take a pen in my hand I’m always going to sit down and make a certain kind of mark…that’s who I am.” However, she continues, “New York is going to be more responsive to certain things; I’m going to see certain things around me that are going to inspire something….New York is intense and it forces you to go big or go home and just do the most raw version of yourself…it really put me in touch with exactly what my vision was.”

Designing in Brooklyn and working with local factories, Meyer has managed to completely entwine her brand with New York while remaining true to her original influences. In addition to using a factory in Coney Island, Meyer recently began working with a Bushwick-based group to create this spring’s stonewashed styles. Design-wise, Meyer has major event on the horizon this summer, as she prepares to move into a new studio near the Morgan L stop. “I’m pretty sure I’ve just found the sweetest space on the planet,” she exclaims. Beyond functioning as a creative space, there will also be “a little store in a studio” where Meyer plans to sell limited edition items alongside her regular collection and pieces from other handpicked vendors.

Meyer continuously demonstrates an impressive willingness to collaborate with other artists and designers and a strong commitment to working with her community. At her old space, and, fingers crossed, at the new one, Meyer hosted Art House–a regular event featuring art installations, music, readings, and other creative endeavors from people a little under the radar, mixed with lots of friends having a great time. These parties often worked double duty: giving an unknown artist a platform, while raising money for Meyer’s other community effort, the Step Right Up playwriting program. Founded with friend Bonnie Pipkin, the organization guides students through the process of writing and producing a play from start to finish. “It’s their story, which is really amazing for these kids,” Meyer explains. The program has met with such success that they now employ teachers at elementary schools in the Lower East Side, on top of Meyer and Pipkin’s own efforts with high schoolers in Brooklyn.

Despite her accomplishments, there was a darker period this winter wherein Meyer started to question why she lived in this cold, desolate city, following the difficult path of fashion designer. But deep down, she knew she had chosen wisely. “I want to do something creative for a living…I want to create and I want to put good things into the world and that’s the right reason.”

Mary Meyer’s entire collection is available for sale on her website. While you’re there, be sure to watch this awesome video she recently released with Olivia Wyatt.