Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Larkin.
Hi Mary, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I moved to NYC twenty years ago to embark on my life’s passion to become a fashion designer. One of the first things I noticed was the street was filled with women wearing sneakers paired with chic office attire. I was thinking, “What is going on here?” It was the oddest oxymoron. NYC Is the fashion capital of the world. Soon, I learned these women switched out of their sneakers into heels once they arrived at the office. I vowed I would never do this – I would never marginalize style for the sake of comfort. I spent a month’s rent on Prada boots with 4-inch heels and lived in them day and night because I believed style reigned over comfort.
Was I wrong?
Fast forward another ten years… now, lo and behold, now, women wear yoga pants all day long, and Chanel has sneakers on the runway. It begs the question:
What exactly is style these days?
Whether it’s my maturity, priorities, or both, comfort now leads. But I also want to feel beautiful.
I still have those Prada boots, and sadly, it’s still a struggle to wear them, even for a night out. I am no longer willing to sacrifice comfort for style.
Equally, I do not want to sacrifice style for comfort. I admit it – I want it all.
My feeling is women should have it all, too!
In short, (IN)LARKIN is style women can and will live in.
Be Comfortable. Feel Beautiful. Live Fully.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This question always cracks me up. When you decide to be an entrepreneur, there are constant struggles along the way. It’s how you handle these struggles that define you and your business.
Covid-19 impacted my 100% women-owned business in the following ways: First and foremost, since my business model consisted of primarily selling through home parties with many guests attending, my opportunity for selling diminished almost entirely. Second, my apparel production was mainly based in China, and as I am sure you are aware, Covid impacted the supply chain considerably, causing delays with manufacturing, production, and shipping. My business is most successful with face-to-face interaction with my customers; Covid-19 shut that aspect of it down.
However, it forced me to start doing Pop-Ups that were wildly successful during Covid. Additionally, it made me realize that brick-and-mortar isn’t dead, so I opened a store and diversified my production to India, Portugal, and the United States.
Struggles are part of the journey. I look forward to the day that it all goes smoothly:)
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Since I was very young, I always knew I wanted to be a fashion designer.
Graduated of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, I was hired out of college by Giorgio Armani, where I worked as a fashion designer for close to 10 years.
That is where it helped me refine my sensibilities as a designer incorporating a refined edge to my designs and, ultimately comfort with a tailored edge.
After making glamour practical as a designer for Armani, she went on to pioneer the ease and comfort of athleisure with her first fashion brand, eMBe. Now, I am debuting athleisure fashionable cousin at glamour. I draw inspiration from my customers craving clothes they feel good but still want to look polished refined.
What do you think about happiness?
My customers’ testimonials. It’s one thing to do what you love, but it’s a whole other thing when people love what you do. Experiencing my customers falling in love with my designs has been the most significant high in my career.
Pricing:
- Clothes $68 – $400
- Accessories $48-$200
Contact Info:
- Website: inlarkin.com
- Instagram: @iaminlarkin
- Facebook: @inlarkin
- Linkedin: @inlarkin
Image Credits
Nils Larsen
Jon Premosch
Jonas Jungblut
Jessica Wall
Madeline Houk
