10 Questions with Molly Dery

Last Spring, while at Round Top, I discovered Molyan, a line of one-of-a-kind embroidered pieces by local Austinite, Molly Dery and fell in love. I thought about them on the drive home that night and must have mentioned them more than once to my husband, because a month later, on Mother's Day, I unopened one of my own. I'm so excited to introduce you to this new-to-me brand and designer of original goods, all handmade in our hometown of Austin, Texas.

To start, can you tell us in your own words: What is Molyan?

MD: Hi! I am Molly, the owner and designer of Molyan. Molyan is a luxury clothing label that nurtures self expression through one-of-a-kind, small batch wearables. We study the traditional technique of chain stitch through a playful, colorful and contemporary lens. Sustainability is at the core of our brand, and we practice quality over quantity to produce heirloom wardrobe pieces for our clients. We LOVE color and with this we encourage individuality for ALL ages!

What did you do before starting Molyan?

MD: I am a Nurse Anesthetist, and I have been practicing anesthesia for over 13 years. 

I am a Longhorn, with a Bachelor’s  in Science in Nursing. After graduation, I worked in the Intensive care here in Austin, TX at Seton Medical Center. After three years in the ICU, I attended Duke University to complete my anesthesia training. I am still practicing anesthesia 1-2 times a week for US Anesthesia Partners right here in the great city of Austin!

What was the impetus for starting this brand?

MD: A creative outlet and my obsession with outerwear! The apparel and textile industry has always piqued my interest, and I wanted to explore the process of ideas to production. Initially, Molyan started as a project, and it felt safe for me to call it a project in order to protect myself from failure. I sketched out the prototype for our first design and had it chain stitched on two jackets. One for me and one for my husband, Paulie. We did our own version of a beta study and wore the jackets around the town! The product was well received by the community and that was all I needed to feel safe with putting it out there in the world. My friends, family, and the community of Austin have welcomed Molyan with open arms, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Which designers or artists are you inspired by?

MD: Gosh, this is a really hard one! I am going to keep it local because there are an abundant number of inspiring designers and artists in Austin, TX. Emily Eisenhart, Kelly Colchin, Heather Sundquist Hall, Ashley Garmon, Hannah Medina, and of course, Katie Kime. Also, I have a million more Austinites I could name, but there isn't enough word document space! Lots of love for our talented community!

What does your assortment look like today? Where might you expand next?

MD: We have a 100% cotton, duck canvas blazer with two different designs and 11 different color combinations. We also offer our customers the opportunity to customize their own color waves from a selection of over 200 vibrant threads. We have an array of hats with varying designs. Our products for Fall are going to be a t-shirt and a unisex chore coat and in the Spring, we will launch our jumpsuit! With our mission of sustainability, we strive to produce nominal waste with small production runs and creative ways to stay dynamic. This year, we have been organically dyeing our blazers to indigo!

What is your business superpower? What types of things do you outsource to others?

MD: I’d say my business superpower is I love people. I think the greatest part of starting Molyan is all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way. I am to the core an extrovert, and a connector. I outsource a decent amount of things. Social media, videography, graphic design….just to name a few. The world of apparel is very new to me, so I am constantly asking for advice and guidance through the process. I always joke that it’s actually easier to put people to sleep than it is to work in the apparel industry.

Which destination is at the top of your bucket list right now?

MD: El Paso, Tx. I truly love my home town in the Fall, and having some quality time with my parents, brother and nieces is always on my bucket list. 

What souvenirs do you bring home from your trips?

MD: I love to shop exclusively local when we are traveling, and I will do extensive research on shops that are old and new in the area. Things I bring home: jewelry, clothing and hats. But mostly, I am not really a big shopper on trips because I only carry-on! Not much room for more! It truly has to be a “ can’t live without it”.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

MD: Listening and enjoying the little things.

What is one item that you have to have in your bag at all times?

MD: A picture of my daughter Billie in my wallet.