INTERVIEW: MARA THE LABEL, THE NEW ETHICAL EASY-TO-WEAR

MARA THE LABEL is a Los Angeles based brand founded in 2020. Inspired by vintage, London, California and nature.

All pieces are designed to add fluidity and a feeling of being free. Mara translates to the sea.

The vision of the brand is to design pieces that inspire confidence and add ease into your wardrobe through luxurious fabrics that add a balance of uniqueness and wardrobe staples. The brand has an affinity for mixing prints and using various textiles and textures. All collections are limited.

MARA THE LABEL specializes in using deadstock fabric, silks and linen. Manufactured in Los Angeles. The brand is designed to be worn to stand out.

INTERVIEW WITH MARA MCGINLEY, FOUNDER OF MARA THE LABEL

When did you first realize you wanted to launch a your own label?

About 10 years ago. I had finished my undergraduate degree and was sitting inside a coffee shop drafting up what my dream career would be and I realized that I wanted to create a sustainable clothing line. I had studied design and wanted to make things that would be seen outside of a computer screen and part of someone’s life. Having taken a sustainable design class, I kept coming back to the idea of wanting to make a sustainable clothing line and started researching how to do that. 10 years later, my brand is located in Los Angeles.

If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be? 

I would say, “yes, it is going to be challenging, but there’s a beauty in that. You’ll do things you never even dreamed of.”

How do you want your clients to feel when wearing a your brand pieces and in what occasions can be worn?

I want them to feel confident, at ease and stepping into an exciting or favorite piece.

Can you tell us how your collections makes a difference to help more the environment?

My collections are designed using mainly deadstock and sustainable materials. Everything is made in Los Angeles.

There is one important person, in your life, who pushes and motivates you to believe in yourself?

My mom has always told me to believe in myself, to keep working and stay positive.

How do you manage to choose your models in order to spread better the diversity issue through your label?

I choose my models by representing different forms of beauty through various backgrounds. Living in Los Angeles, there’s a diverse population and it has been easy to choose diverse models. I’ve met models I worked with through castings, referrals and fashion shows. 

What do you think is the biggest challenge regarding your work? 

I think the biggest challenge is seeing an idea from start to finish. It takes a lot of steps to make a garment. It’s really rewarding when an entire collection comes together and pieces sell out.