Mary Howard is a leading set and production designer currently based in New York. She graduated school with an MFA in the fine arts and landed her first job as a float builder for Mardi Gras. Mary Howard is now the owner of two successful businesses: MHS Artists and Hook Studio. MRS Artists is an international creative talent agency representing production designers, set designers, videographers, photographers & creative directors. Hook Studio, located in Red Hook, Brooklyn, is a full-service photo studio that offers a one-stop-shop for all possible photo, event or installation needs. Newel Props has worked with Mary Howard for over a decade and we are constantly inspired by her talent and creativity. We are honored to have helped Mary Howard, and MHS Artists, create some of the most iconic designs for the industry’s leading fashion and media brands, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Versace, and Louis Vuitton. Get to know more about Mary Howard in our interview with her below.
MARY HOWARD'S PROJECT SHOWCASE
GET TO KNOW MARY HOWARD
Q.
How did you get started in this field?
A.
I have an MFA in fine arts and my first job was as a float builder for Mardi Gras then Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I met and worked with production designer Marla Weinhoff for several years before starting my own studio.
Q.
What are you most excited about at this time in your life?
A.
Big Projects, the bigger the challenge the better – exhibitions, events, installations, stores!
Q.
Best gift you’ve ever received?
A.
My husband is an incredible painter and will give me a painting on my birthday every year and I always love it more than anything.
Q.
Best way to relax/decompress?
A.
My biggest hobby not related to my work is college football, I am obsessed with LSU and have been since I was in grade school.
Q.
What are some of the podcasts you listen to and why?
A.
I like to listen to business related podcasts, as I am trying to run several businesses between Mhs Artists and Hook Studio, I need to always be thinking about management and marketing since our world and especially the fashion business is constantly in flux.
Q.
Who is your ideal client?
A.
I adore several of my clients, especially the ones that allow me some freedom to interpret the brief and to really go for it.
Q.
Dream country to work in?
A.
I love working in the UK, there is so much creativity in London, I love how the designers and fabricators think and work there.
Q.
Describe your childhood bedroom
A.
I grew up with several siblings including a twin brother. We were all junior tennis players so it was really all about Tennis but I was overly interested in my bedroom and how to decorate it. I still have recurring dreams about my bedroom in New Orleans where I design it over and over.
Q.
What is your wake up or go to bed ritual?
A.
I read for an hour or more every morning, starting with the New York Times and working my way to WWD and other fashion dailies to see what is going on.
Q.
What’s the best thing about shopping in person?
A.
The surprise I think – photos online may be different – scale and color can really be skewed and sometimes there is the surprise in seeing the piece in person that is different than what you expected. But in the end the piece will be photographed so I have to pay attention to How it photographs!
