Designer Spotlight: Catherine & Haley of Marais USA
by Stephanie SnyderTuesday, Aug. 11, 2009
Up-and-coming designers Catherine Chen and Haley Boyd of the super-chic and affordable shoe line Marais US dish to OTownStyle.com their creative inspiration and advice for other aspiring young designers. The line is currently available online and in select Urban Outfitters stores.
OTownStyle.com: What kind of work goes into starting your own label? How long did it take?
Catherine Chen: About two years ago, while Haley and I were still studying at Parsons School of Design, we were wondering why we couldn't find ultra-simple, chic, and affordable footwear. Every time we went shopping we were unable to find a well-designed flat for $50 that didn't have some kind of weird embellishment. That is how our collection started and here we are two years later!
Haley Boyd: Mainly we wanted to design shoes that we ourselves could wear everyday. At the time, we were transitioning between school at Parsons and working night jobs in restaurants across NYC. We didn't understand why simple had to be expensive -- and we still don't understand why that is the case.
OTS.com: What is a typical day like for you both?
CC: It's pathetic, but I am a total slave to the Blackberry and I love, love, love the Internet -- but I hate checking and answering my emails. Everyday is different for me... sometimes I am on the computer all day and other days I am out visiting leather shops and picking out new colors for our next collection.
HB: I'm a bit nocturnal, since the best time to communicate with our manufacturer overseas is in the evening. I drink a lot of strong coffee (preferably from Five Leaves in Brooklyn), and tend to the Marais matters-at-hand! I take care of the "biz" side of our company. This can be anything from accounting to coordinating shipments to developing new styles.
OTS.com: When did you know that you wanted to be a designer?
HB: It sounds so cliche, but when I was in high school, I made sundresses with big rosettes out of cut up T-shirts. I didn't know how to sew at the time, so the first one was totally makeshift. But when I wore it, all my girl friends asked where I got it and the orders started piling up.
CC: I was always interested in the arts, but I didn't seriously pursue it until I was 20, when I realized I could make a living as a designer.
OTS.com: What designers inspire you?
We admire so many artists and designers, but Dries Van Noten tops both of our lists.
OTS.com: Was Marais an obvious choice for the name of your brand, or was it a long brainstorming process?
We named our company after a summer spent the Marais district in Paris. We had a long brainstorming process, but as soon as we came across Marais, we knew that was it.
OTS.com: Describe Marais USA in three words.
Simple, Versatile, Essential
OTS.com: If you could see any celebrity or style icon (dead or alive) wearing Marais, who would it be?
Michelle Obama and her daughters!
OTS.com: What advice do you have to those who want to start their own label or break into fashion?
CC: Capitalize on your youth and take action!
HB: Design something you want, but can't find. And read "The Art of the Start" by Guy Kawasaki.
OTS.com: Any chance your lovely shoes will be stocked in Orlando?
We are working on it, but for now you can shop on our website www.maraisusa.com. Check out the video of a Marais Day in the park to see our shoes in action!
OTS.com: What's coming up next for Marais?
We have three essential boots for fall as well as the cutest sneakers.
For More Info about Marais:
