We are so excited to welcome Maria Stanley to IDUN as our very first “Artist in Residence”. We have been long-time followers of Maria since her first collection launch back in 2016. Her creations are sophisticated-romantic, vintage-inspired yet with a clear timeless perspective that meets the modern woman where she is. In anticipation of our upcoming event with Maria (December 14th!!!) we wanted to catch up with her and learn more about what keeps her going and creatively revitalized.

What keeps you stable during the chaos of your week?
Sleeping is my favorite activity - so I make sure I get enough in at night especially when life feels chaotic, or I’ll treat myself to a nap. Eating nourishing foods is always important to me, my body yells at me if I don't. I can get overly introverted when I’m stressed, so pulling myself out for a happy hour or having friends over for dinner always helps get me out of my stress-head. 

What people/place/things do you find yourself consistently going back to for inspiration? 
I’m always most inspired by textiles, I find the best ones in India during my visits. As cliché as it sounds, I always find myself on the hunt for good vintage.

We appreciate your clear goal to advocate for socially aware manufacturers that support their employees, both with fair salaries and benefits. Can you share a little about why the “slow fashion movement” is important to Maria Stanley as a brand?
For me, it’s the only way to build a brand - organically, slowly, and not excessively. Building close relationships with the makers of my clothes is incredibly important to me personally (it’s become my favorite part of building my business, I know the makers at the factory I work with in India by name), but also to ensure we’re in agreement when it comes to waste management and quality control. Making clothes isn’t easy, but it sure is easier when we’re all in it together. 
We’re becoming more aware about the food we put in our bodies - Where does it come from? Is it organic? It’s equally as important to ask these questions about what we put on our bodies.

1. Coconut oil - I sleep with it in my hair once a week. I learned this miracle trick from a friend, it’s made a huge difference in my fine-dry hair.
2. My eyebrow pencil - I have big eyebrows but they’re a little sparse. I like to fill them in to make them look like caterpillars.
3. Moon Juice Plumping Jelly - A face serum I’d been wanting to try this for quite some time. It’s awesome and smells amazing.

Nostalgic, elusive, romantic; something that once was and yet still is. Emotions left unsaid, moments that will never return unless encountered and disentangled in one's own mind. Our Autumn / Winter 2019 Lookbook takes inspiration from generations ago, while maintaining a contemporary perspective. The feeling of being surrounded by objects, ideas, emotions while maintaining one's solitude and deciphering each layer. An ode to the material and the immaterial. Taking notes from Ralph Lauren 1980s ads yet layering it with more depth; like a re-telling of that time from a self-aware and contemplative standpoint. Some memories palpable, some vague. The idea of layered memories are brought forth not only in emotion but physically in the layered clothing. The truth revealed; that it takes more time and attention to detail during these frigid months to stay healthy in mind, body, and soul. The need to inwardly attend to your well-being, assisted through outward actions as simple as giving more thought to the layers both material and immaterial; the physical layers one puts on and the elusive memories one chooses to let go of. 

Director of Photography: Caylon Hackwith
Model: Lisa Dengler 
Styling & Art Direction: Rachel Schultz + Dahlia Brue

Halloween is here. Lucky for you, we have a spooky and infinitely abstruse playlist by Andi who is an absolute professional at Halloween; for proof click here.

LISTEN TO THE MIX HERE.

+ BONUS TRACKS!

"I have some obscure, but highly recommended *bonus tracks*. They’re not on Spotify, so I’ve included YouTube links."  - Andi