Mary Joyce is a second generation immigrant, bloodlined to the Luo tribe in Kenya. Animal imagery, horns, feathers, hair, studs and sharp shapes are found throughout her collection, whispering ‘clothing is armor’. There is also a preppy undertone. Little pillbox hats, meant to be worn at a derby or afternoon tea. MJ was sent to boarding school when she was 16, where she encountered clothing as status. Prep fashion is a major influence in the designs, but as a means to disrupt its cleanliness.
Skank Chic holds a vein of irony. Mary Joyce posts poetry on her instagram and website, often discussing social taboos, sex, and capitalism. While she sells bangles with money, so close but unable to touch. Encased pills, worn on the sleeve. Decorated disposable lighters. Accessories that edge on kink wear. There is a greater conversation within the fashion of Skank Chic.
As a designer, Mary Joyce seeks boundaries in order to break them. Embrace the human imperfection of craft, in a world of clean, internet ready, fashion. A lot of the materials and hardware used are recycled from fast fashion garments, and second hand clothing. The first bangles that were made and sold had been sealed with beauty store nail polish. The most recent have been featured in issues of Dazed and Paper Magazine. Skank Chic is rebellious, provocative, elegant, gritty, and seemingly unbound. From a couture spreader bar to a hair lamp, a crystal encrusted lighter to a horse tail belt, Skank Chic is impossible to predict.