Mary Alice Dorrance Malone

““I would rather know where the cow came from, that we raised it, that it has one bad day. Just as I would rather grow my own vegetables than buy them from a store. Same goes with manufacturing. We work with incredible artisans so I know where the shoes come from. We are very hands on with the materials, I spend a lot of time looking into alternative fabrics - there is no waste. I'm really weird and geeky about this.””

“Trends are quite organic - everyone seems to migrate together. If we’ve done a pointed toe for three seasons, I just want something fresh. Then you look at everybody else's line and you're like, “Oh”. I guess everyone's brain tries to do the opposite at the same time. Everyone's trying to be different and I'm the same.””

“Italian manufacturers are very specialised and so we get recommendations for new craftsmen from our current factories. Nurturing this relationship is one of the most vital parts of our business. We work with partners - you spend a lot of time with these people and you're heavily dependent on them. It’s important to me that they're nice people, that you can consider them your family. Trust is key.””

“Originally I hired a tiny little car and drove around. I just drove through Italy knocking on doors. Then we grew up and suppliers came recommended to us, which was a nice moment in time. Even then I was going back and forth to Italy every other week. I got to a point where most Italian immigration officers didn't even check my passport anymore, just ‘Oh, you’re back again’ and I strolled on through.””

“What I always found so amazing about fashion is just this idea that you could kind of create whatever persona you wanted to be. It feels amazing to put on a business suit. I love that you could put on high heels and feel like a different person, or you could put on whatever you choose and nobody knows where you came from. They just know who you are in that, what you're projecting.””

“I'm not a city person but I like the convenience of it. I lived in London for seven or eight years, which was amazing. London has quite a good balance of life; there's lots of greenery. Everybody enjoys work and enjoys taking time off. They enjoy patience, and food - it’s a very European mindset.””

“I don't see myself as a fashion person, and it's not something I really identify with because I've just never thought of myself as one of those girls. Growing up on a farm, among the plants and the horses, nobody cares what you look like. What kind of work you're gonna put in. Are you a nice person? Are you responsible? Do the horses trust you? OK, great.””