To understand the philosophy of Mary Mary London is to know the designer, Mary Forestier-Walker the archetypal English rose whose inspiration stems from her countryside upbringing. Mary has been designing and creating original pieces from the age of five, when she began making her own teddy bears. It was an unconventional beginning in the world of fashion, but in no time she had moved on to making bespoke dresses for her three elder sisters. Having completed her studies at the London College of Fashion and apprenticeships with Cath Kidston and Luella Bartley, Mary launched her own label in spring 2008.

A peek into the MaryMary studio is like walking into a dolls house; tea dresses with puffed sleeves, swing dresses with secret side pockets, ruffled shirts, bows and sashes adorn the room. Mary’s passion for the classic and the nostalgic has shaped her design vision; much of her inspiration is gained from trawling through vintage fairs, fashion archives and second hand shops. The designer’s ability to select dusty hues combine them with delicate floral prints from vintage and current liberty collections and play with how they are traditionally perceived, forms the essence of the MaryMary brand.

Mary Mary is a quintessentially English brand. The collection is made wholly in the UK – reflecting the dedication of the label’s founder, Mary Forestier-Walker, to preserving the distinctly British character of her work.

As a result of Mary’s commitment to local sourcing, her designs have significantly fewer ‘clothes miles’ than many garments available in the UK (often manufactured in the Far East), and it is her hope that this will benefit both the environment and the local manufacturers she works with.