Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Keene.
Mary, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Growing up in Houston, I started off as a visual artist with a passion for painting and drawing, which led me to move to New York City in 2000 and earn my bachelors degree in Fine Arts at The School of Visual Arts. While living in New York, my art was heavily inspired by the post-punk street fashion of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which sparked my curiosity for Fashion Design. In 2005, I moved back to Houston and enrolled in the Fashion Design Program at Houston Community College. From there, I began working in Costuming as a seamstress and craftsperson at various theaters around Houston. I also worked as a screen printer, printing custom t-shirts for several years. After becoming a mom in 2014, I began selling vintage costumes and clothing online through eBay and Etsy full time as a way to stay home with my son and support my family.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
In August 2018, I had the opportunity to open a storefront for my online store, The Fashion Time Machine. T Fashion Time Machine is a conceptual art installation, turned vintage clothing store. The concept behind the storefront is that when you come into The Fashion Time Machine, you are able to travel back in time, and experience past eras by dressing in vintage clothing. Whether you’re looking for a unique, one of a kind piece, or something to wear to a party, we can style the perfect outfit or costume for you. Dressing in vintage is not only a way to have fun, and express your individual style, but also a way to help the environment by recycling used clothing. Our inventory consists of about 20 different vintage collectors who bring new pieces in weekly. You never know what treasure you will find at The Fashion Time Machine.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
My advice for anyone who is interested in dressing in vintage clothing would be to not pay attention to the sizes on the tags. Vintage sizes run different than modern sizes, so I tell everyone to try things on. Be creative, and keep an open mind. Sometimes it’s fun to wear oversized things or things that fit a little different than expected, but ultimately you should feel comfortable in what you’re wearing. Also, if you really love a vintage piece, but you aren’t sure where you will wear it, I always say that if you buy the piece, the event will come.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can visit The Fashion Time Machine at 1802 Yale, Suite F, Houston TX 77008. Our hours are Wednesday through Saturday 12-6, and Sunday 12-5.
You can also shop our collection inside of Retrolpolis, 321 W. 19th St, Houston, TX 77008, visit our website, www.thefashiontimemachine.com, and follow us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/thefashiontimemachine.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1802 Yale, Suite F, Houston TX 77008
- Website: www.thefashiontimemachine.com
- Phone: 281-804-9624
- Email: info@thefashiontimemachine.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thefashiontimemachine
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefashiontimemachine
Image Credit:
The Fashion Time Machine
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