Meet Mary Price | Founder, Creative Director, ocean+main

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

Hi Mary, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
ocean+main is a clothing brand that puts people, planet and purpose first. It is well documented that the apparel industry is the second largest polluter on the planet and I wanted to create a brand that moved away from that model. From our inception in 2015, we have been mindful at every level of production. We use only upcycled fabrics and fabrics from sustainable mills, we use no single-use plastic, we manufacture all our product in Los Angeles, and, if we use any water at all, it is recycled. The clothing industry has been so focused for so long on profits by exploiting the planets resources and people, it’s time to change that focus and bring it back to where it belongs, making clothing in harmony with nature around us, not harming it.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our ethical, sustainable, inclusive collection of caftans and tunics fits a unique niche in the market place. I am so proud to employ only women and LGBTQ in our Los Angeles facilities, and to support an artisan collective and Rainforest Preservation coalition in Malaysia via a special fabric initiative, and to donate a percentage of our proceeds to a local charity, BEAM, Black Emotional and Mental Health foundation. I strive to make clothing you can not only feel good in, but feel good about.

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 love the beach/city vibe of LA. Days spent hiking, paddle boarding or walking on the beach remind my why I love living here. The art scene in LA is so vibrant at the moment. Whether it’s a large museum, a small gallery or a dance performance, there is so much talent and so much expression in the city right now. I love outdoor events like Cinespia movie nights, concerts at quintessential LA spots like the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek, and eclectic evenings at KCRW Summer Nights. Those events highlight LA’s art, beauty, and diversity at its finest.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was raised in a very pragmatic family where pursuing art or any creative endeavor as a ‘real job’ was a frivolous idea. The first book I read that made me feel like expressing myself creatively might be a calling, not just a hobby, was The Artists Way, by Julia Cameron. I do have to give props to my first boss. She was really tough and left me to floundering with little direction or guidance. That experience was invaluable in teaching me the type of leader and mentor I wanted to be.

Website: www.oceanandmain.com

Instagram: ocean_and_main

Image Credits
Andres Razo Photography