fashion

An Inside Look Into the World of Indigo with Designer Mary Imaj

Designer and model Mary Imaj talks the success of her brand, her latest drop “Indigo”, and what we can expect from her in the upcoming new year.

By Daija Green | Posted on Nov. 14 2021

Meet 20-year-old designer and model Mary Wiley, also known as Mary Imaj by way of her promising brand. In October 2020, the designer began sketching her first prototype of her now well-loved totes, with no expectations just pure creative passion. Today, Mary’s brand - a trailblazers destination for essential pieces of luxury - is thriving. And so is the designer herself. With only a year in business, Mary Imaj has gained a credible love from the world and newfound confidence in what she’s capable of. Mary’s latest drop, an emerald green tote by the name of “Indigo” screams luxury, recently spotted in the UK with Pyer Moss designer Kerby Jean- Raymond and scattered throughout the streets of New York, Las Vegas, Houston, Atlanta, and more it's safe to say that Mary Imaj is taking over!

“I just want you to walk outside with the bag and feel rich,” she tells Trutuyou during her recent interview over the phone. I can hear the joy and excitement in her voice. As Mary prepares to complete this year with two new drops coming this month and December, we can expect a lot more from the up-and-coming designer in the New Year. Below, Mary discusses the unexpected success of her brand, her latest drop “Indigo” and what she’s looking forward to for the upcoming new year.

An Inside Look w/ Mary Imaj

TRUTUYOU: Who is Mary? What do you do?

MARY: I go by Mary Imaj. Imaj comes from my mom. She passed away when I was seven and her name is Jami. Imaj is Jami backwords. Everyone always thinks it’s like my middle or last name but I've just adopted the name. I’m an upcoming model and designer. I don’t just make bags I want to get into everything. All things fashion.

TRUTUYOU : How did your namesake brand, Mary Imaj come about?

MARY: Literally, it came about in quarantine. Over quarantine, I started my fashion page @closetalkss where I post random things like who does my hair, makeup, nails, or just anything I'm interested in. It started off one day when I randomly got dressed and I recorded a lookbook. I would style my girlfriend at the time, post it and people started loving it.

I was so tired of buying people’s stuff. So I began sketching out totes and looked for a manufacturer. I was just like, Okay I'll see how this turns out, and here we are. It was literally random.

TRUTUYOU : Yes, I love when unexpected things like this happen! When you genuinely start something for yourself and it turns into something way bigger than what you could have imagined. I saw that you recently posted about making it to your one-year anniversary. Reflecting back on the growth of your brand in just one year, how does it feel?

MARY: Literally, this year was one of the best years of my life! I didn’t expect anything to happen. I didn't expect to be in Vogue, I met my favorite designer, Pyer Moss designer Kerby recently just posted my bag while he was in the UK. All these things just happened so randomly and caught me off guard. I’m still processing it. It doesn’t feel like this is real.

TRUTUYOU : Your bag "Indigo" is everywhere! I love how you have created this amazing community of both women and men. If you could describe the Indigo woman or man, who are they?

Mary: I just want you to walk outside with the bag and feel rich. I specifically made it green because green is my power color. It makes me feel on top of the world so I want men and women to feel on top of the world. I specifically love when men wear it. I love seeing men in my stuff because when you think of a woman designing things you think women only design things for women. Everyone wears my bag. Surprisingly! I've even had grandmothers purchase my bag. Like 80-year-olds wearing my bag! I just want everyone to feel so on top of the world. Like you are unstoppable. When you have this bag on you are a superwoman or superman.

TRUTUYOU : What purpose or force drives you to create your work?

MARY: The sun. Literally the sun. The weather really determines a lot with me. If it’s not sunny outside I try not to be in a bad mood but the sun really keeps me going. When I wake up, I want to go outside. I don’t like being cooped up in a room. That’s why I'm always in New york. It just gives me so much inspo.

Colors. I love bright colors. I’ve been getting my nails done since eighth grade and I never get simple nail designs. I always have something crazy going on with my nails. I just like unique things. It just all sets in with who I am.

TRUTUYOU : I love the “What’s in my bag” video series that you’ve created showcasing what your friends are keeping in their Indigo. Im curious, what do you keep in your bag?

MARY: Okay, so I bring my laptop and my work Ipad. I honestly keep my whole life in it! I always have a bag inside my Indigo. I have multiple purses in my bag. My favorite bag right now is the Ciracio bags. So I always bring my green Ciracio to match the green Indigo. Hairbrush, my label printer so that I can print labels at random times during the day, Crocs... I carry everything in it, literally.

TRUTUYOU : What has entrepreneurship taught you about yourself and running a business?

MARY: For myself, it has taught me that I am way more than I think I am. I struggle with my self-confidence a lot and the people that I don’t know are the ones that support me the most. You never know who’s watching you. I had a pop-up shop over the summer on August tenth, my mom's birthday, and I met this young girl. She came to meet me and started crying. She was like “I love you so much. Keep doing what you are doing. You are really an inspiration for me.” Like wow! You just don't know who you are impacting.

TRUTUYOU : How would you describe your personal style and how has that inspired your work?

MARY: I honestly don’t know my style. It’s however I feel when I wake up. Recently, I feel like I’ve become more girly. I’ve been trying to wear things that are outside of the box. Even with my hair now. Last October I cut my hair into a bob and I dyed it blonde, In January of this year, I cut my hair off and died it blonde again, for my pop-up shop I had long pink braids that were to my ankles. Just stuff that makes me feel on top of the world and like I'm THAT girl. I notice that when I get my hair done it changes my whole entire mood.

How it inspires her work...

The bag has to go with the outfit. I want something that I can wear all the time. I want something that I can wear with everything because if I like it I’m wearing it until the wheels fall off!

TRUTUYOU : 2021 is coming to an end. If you could choose a song that describes the year that you’ve had, what would it be?

MARY: “Good as Hell” by Lizzo

TRUTUYOU : What are you most excited about for the upcoming year?

MARY: To see where I am by my twenty-first birthday. My birthday is June sixth and I want to see where I’ll be then. Anything can happen in 6 months!

TRUTUYOU : What’s next for Mary Imaj?

MARY: New drops coming this month and december! I’m actually dropping a shoe soon!

TRUTUYOU : Lastly, why is it so important to live true to yourself?

MARY: You don’t know who’s watching you. You’re a role model to somone in the world. I feel like the best things come to you when you are living your truth and being an honest person.