Meet Mary Wiley | Designer/ Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Wiley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, what role has risk played in your life or career?
First and foremost, there is no limit to your success. Growing up, I had no set plan of what I wanted to be in life or who I wanted to become. During my Junior year of high school, I began doing community service at my middle school as a second grade assistant teacher and from that moment I dreamt of becoming a teacher. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I’ve always loved clothes but during my first semester of college I’ve grown into a fashion enthusiast. It has become my passion. It is my calling. One night during quarantine I ended up sketching some tote bags, which led me to designing puffer hand bags for my brand, MaryImaj. I even began creative directing my own shoots and my concepts has been grasping a lot of my audiences attention. This was all a leap of faith. My personal interest has become apart of my world. I am not also a designer, but am an aspiring model hoping to get signed soon. It is a huge dream of mine and until the time comes, I will continue to push out my personal content to the media. The sun keeps me going. I pray and just go for it no matter the outcome. If you love it, why not try?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
MaryImaj. Imaj stems from my mother, Jami Jackson. I try and honor her life in every way I can. I am a representation of her and to literally have her apart of my brand means the world to me. As a creative, I am still learning how to balance my business and personal life. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to do so much at once, I break. I try and reset every other week, if not every week. I am still learning to take my time. Time is an illusion. No need to rush at anything, take your time. To the world, I am not only a designer nor model. I am a children lover. I hope one day to become a mother and empower my children to take that leap, step into their truth.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my best friend right to New York City to Soho to look at the shopping centers and just get lost on the 4 train somewhere in Brooklyn lol. Shopping is a MUST okay! My current favorite spot to eat in the city is Brooklyn Chophouse. When I tell you they have the best lobster fried rice I ever had in my life?!! Listen, lol you have to go. We would definitely have to go to the pier in Jersey City as well and ride bikes or walk around alongside the water to see the view and have a picnic. I personally love getting lost and looking at brownstone houses, dreaming of having my own one day (very soon).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give a special shoutout to my parents in heaven. Recently my father passed away during March 2021, and he was my motivation. He kept me on my toes and made sure I never slacked. Everything I do will be for him, my best friend. I love you daddy. I would also love to give a special shoutout to my aunt Helen, my girlfriend, Ja’Nique, and my brother Aaron. I thank my aunt so much for letting me work out of her living room despite all of the complaining. To Aaron and Ja’Nique, I thank you both for loving me and dealing with my anxious ways. You two push me to become the best version of myself. I love you and I thank God for you every single day.

Website: maryimaj.co

Instagram: @maryimaaj

Twitter: @Maryimaj

Youtube: MaryImaj

Image Credits
both professional photos are taken by @r.u.d_productions