We get it. You want to buy from a brand that you feel understands you and your needs. A brand with a great business model and a designer you can connect to and trust. That’s why we sat down with our owner and designer, Mary Beth Larkin, for a short interview about her and the inspiration behind her brand, (IN)LARKIN®.
Q: How did you get into the fashion industry? And was fashion something you always wanted to do?
A: For as long as I can remember, I was fascinated by clothing design. It was an innate passion. I had so many ideas in my head; my brain would go crazy with ideas. However, I had no idea how to draw them or sew them; they just danced in my head all day and every day.
Q: When did you first realize you wanted to start your own brand?
A: I was working 12-14 hour days for Armani Exchange, and one day I was talking to my mother on the phone, and she said if you are going to work that much for them, why don't you do it for yourself? I never thought of starting my own brand until that moment in time.
Q: What inspired you to create (IN)LARKIN® and how long did it take to come up with the concept?
A: With my first brand eMBe, I knew I touched on something with comfort meets style. This was before athleisure was a thing. So with (IN)LARKIN, I thought about what is next? What do I crave as a woman? What do I feel is missing? And my answer was comfort and glamour. I wanted to create a brand that I didn't feel restricted and clothes that moved with me, and fabrics that didn't accentuate rolls but moved with my body. But I still wanted to feel sexy and glamorous — that’s when athglamour was born — the fashionable cousin of athleisure where style and comfort coexist.
Q: What is the hardest part about owning your own brand? What is the best part?
A: The most challenging part is I live it, dream it; it is ALWAYS on my mind. I can't take a break from it even if I try. The best part is seeing the pure joy my designs make my customers feel. This makes my heart skip a beat. It is also my happy place when I am creating; that is my pure joy.
Q: What do you hope to accomplish through (IN)LARKIN®?
A: I hope to help women feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin and second skin, my designs.
Q: What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own brand?
A: Go to business school and then get a degree in Fashion Design, then start your own brand.
Q: Tell us a little about your current collection and anything you may have coming up soon.
A: I LOVE the theme of my current collection, 'Aliferous', which means having wings. I love this because it is so empowering and aligns with my brand beautifully. It was also enjoyable creating wing details throughout my collection. I think it turned out gorgeous (and I am a very tough critic of my own designs). My next collection is based on 'Cocoon,' and this quote inspired me, "Wait until your wings are ready before you try to fly. Rest in the stillness of your cocoon until it is time." This collection is about the beauty and details of the metamorphous, the transformation, the journey, and the rebirth.
Q: What are you most excited for in 2021 with your brand?
A: I am excited to be doing Pop-Ups and getting to interact with my customers directly. In addition to this, I am excited about broadening our reach with our eCommerce store.
Q: What makes (IN)LARKIN® unique and unlike other brands with similar target markets?
A: A few reasons: The design is in the detail. A women designer that understands how to design to a women's changing body.
Designs that don't expire. Timeless glamour. athglamour.
A timesaver. Avoid dressing hassles. We make it easy to look good and feel better. Ninety percent of our collection is machine washable.
Have other questions about Mary Beth, (IN)LARKIN®, or our current collection? Don’t hesitate to contact us via email or Instagram direct message. We are here to help you live an athglamourous life