Meet Heathyr Lawrence | Shoe & Fashion Designer ^..^

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

Hi Heathyr, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I just had so much to express…and a strong belief in Girl Power! To make women feel like we have a voice with a bit of tongue & cheeky along the way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I graduated FIDM in 1985—and in 1986. I was invited back for a third year, a prestigious honor only extended to a limited few, so I graduated twice.

I was excited to start designing.

I was born and raised in Orange County, CA. During the late 1980s, there was a new wave of interest in skate and surf, and street wear was just starting to become a thing. One company I felt most connected to was Vision Street Wear, and there I had my first job in 1987—as head designer. I also briefly designed for Maui & Sons.

During that time, I wanted start my own company. MANTRAP1989 was born in, well, 1989.
I designed and made samples. We kicked it off with a nightclub fashion show where my girls danced out to Sweet’s “Ball Room Blitz” wearing vintage dresses with my signature bitch print. Soon they started to undress each other and underneath they were wearing lyrca mini dresses with the bitch print, mud flap leggings and star booby halter tops. It was the best night!

Maui & Sons found out and fired me over the phone the next day… and that’s how it all started. MANTRAP1989 grew a cult-like following through the 1990’s. I embraced my “Pussy Power” to the limits! To this day I still sell my ”Pussy Scented” and “Our Pussys Our Choice” T-shirts worldwide. The new generation of women have continued the energy, such as pop star Charli XCX.

I have also been designing footwear for DEMONIA, a punk-goth company, founded in the 90’s. I have been doing that for the last ten years.

Of course, there have been challenges over the last 35 years. Some immeasurable. If I had to start over I would have taken accounting & management classes in college. But I learned by going for it! I am grateful to have the next generations still by my side and supporting my work. ^..^

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am in Newport Beach still and a bit older now, so my club life has slowed down a little. My friends will come over and we will hit La Cave or A restaurant. Catch a show at The Observatory or The Pacific Amphitheater. Sometimes we just chill , drink spicy margaritas, play dice and enjoy the view.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My good friend Rose Apodaca has been a constant throughout my career, encouraging me and championing my work to the world.

Rose has been a fashion journalist and creative director for nearly four decades, a writer and editor for WWD, W, Harper’s Bazaar and the LA Times, and is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and working on her fourth fashion book.

Also, I am an FIDM ”Fashion Institute of design and merchandizing” alumni, to this day they have always been incredibly supportive. Currently I am a part of of the Fashion Statements exhibit at the ASU FIDM Museum as a contributor thru November 9th, which has been a lovely experience and I am grateful to be a part of. I am also currently teaching fashion at Fullerton College.

Website: https://mantrap1989.com

Instagram: @mantrap1989

Image Credits

”Our Pussy our Choice” T-shirt, shot by me

Nina Brandon wearing the ”Black Kitty scarf”, shot by Tee Taylor

Chloe Brandon, wearing the ”Bitch Print” slip, shot by Kevin Wilkes

Nina & Chloe Brandon wearing the ”Ghost Collars”, shot by Kevin Wilkes