New Frontier with Mary Lawless Lee
For a life lived in the in-between, Mary Lawless Lee — founder of creative platform Happily Grey —spotlights her journey from shifts in hospitals to her full-time curating career to stylish mother of Navy James and how she gained a new perspective within grey’s neutrality.
Happily Grey founder and creator, Mary Lawless Lee. Photographed by Jessica Steddom.
Is she the modern-day, badass outlaw of the West? With a name like Mary Lawless Lee, one would surely think so, but this need-to-know influencer has been hard at work defending, promoting and managing her multidimensional creative platform - Happily Grey. As the acting founder and editor of the influential fashion blog, Lee curates covet-worthy content from her wedding to husband Madison to the birth of their daughter Navy James and everything in-between. With a loyal following and fan base of more than 2.6 million across social media, Lee’s desire to transform a passion project into a full-fledged business has allowed her interests and know-how in lifestyle, travel, and fitness to evolve and flourish making her a well sought-after brand and media influencer domestically and internationally. “I just hope that people see me as kind, hard-working, and genuine.”
While working in the early years as a full-time nurse in Nashville, Tennessee, Lee was anxious for an outlet to express her creative abilities. With the birth of Happily Grey – launched in 2013 – Lee was able to tap into her vulnerable and artistic side, through color. Now, with a few scrolls through Mary Lawless Lee’s Instagram, a single focus on monochromatic is far from the blog’s namesake. “When people hear the name Happily Grey, they often associate it with a color, but I actually love color and wear it often.” Having been raised in a conservative and traditional household, Lee appears to be thankful for her upbringing style. “Most situations, relationships, scenarios were presented simply as black and white, this or that. Through my early 20s, I went through some experiences that opened up my world and made me realize it’s not always black and white. Life can be quite grey.” It was through this discovery that Lee found confidence, strength, independence and ultimately felt the most creative. “Thank goodness life isn’t simply black and white. Thank goodness for moments of chaos and vulnerability and for living outside the stereotypical box of ‘what should.’ Through the grey, I have gained more perspective, strength, and determination,” beamed the media mogul.
As the brand has continued to expand over the past eight years, now encompassing numerous components to accommodate the unique and ever-changing lives of Mary Lawless Lee and Happily Grey’s followers, Lee’s idea and approach to launching a store turned out to be a natural next step. “I wanted a physical space for my readers to come and experience Happily Grey as a kind of face to the brand. My hope for Happily Grey is that it’s like stepping into my closet or home. The store itself is set up as more of a showroom experience with a select few of my favorite brands and designers. Eventually, I hope to carry my label in the space.” HG Headquarters and HG Retail have since introduced homeware, clothing, and accessories. Hand-picked by Lee herself, Lee expresses that space and the products she has created and brought to the forefront for her followers is a true representation of Happily Grey and the things she loves most. Last month, Lee launched HG apparel, a launch continuation of the ever-expanding umbrella corporation Happily Grey has grown to become.
Offering a signature style and exclusive eye for design that is different for newcomers just settling their sights on Lee’s creation, the influencer describes her taste as an approachable masculine style with bold elements, insisting that her look is still in the area of French chic, remaining effortless. Finding its way into the platform's take on interior design, Lee’s interest in merging fashion and home decor came from design icon Brandon Maxwell. “There is so much creative overlap between the two-colors, texture and finding the balance of creating a unique look without overdoing it. It has been so fun to dip into the world of interior design for our Headquarters and storefront.” Alongside Lee is friend and designer April Tomlin, whom she confided in to bring to life a fun and collaborative space for the HG store, reflecting Lee’s aesthetic. Staying ahead of fashion’s ever-changing and developing trends, Lee takes note of subtle cues displayed on the runways during New York Fashion Week. “Getting new ideas is one of my favorite aspects of Fashion Month. It’s amazing to see what new colors or patterns designers have been working on and then taking what I see on the runway and making it relatable to my style. Instagram is a huge help.” Favoring minimalist design in an interior aspect, Lee takes time to scope and analyze spaces, furniture, and art in retrospect to create the best take for HG. “I love to see spaces that have furniture that on its own can be an art piece – anything that feels unique and special sets apart a space for me. I try to stay away from all white because I love to play with textures and love when a space feels warm.” This feat can be daunting, but for Lee, the challenge is the most rewarding. Taking the head of her inspirations, Lee – putting her foot down and making her point come with confidence and from experience – says the best way to hone in one’s design abilities is: know your style. “Space will constantly evolve throughout the design process, so if you have a distinct idea for how you want the space to feel, it won’t be as overwhelming. Also, just go for it. Don’t overthink it.”
With business comes responsibilities. Day-to-day life as a content curator and influencer is time-consuming and often inconstant, and as a busy mom, no day is or will be the same as the next. Who she calls her greatest gift, beautiful Navy James’s budding influence has already changed Lee. As she has always hoped. “I will never be able to fully shut off my mind from thinking about Navy. Since having her, it’s like a part of me is always with her. But being a mom is all I have ever wanted – so having her has truly been one of my greatest joys. I know that I am lucky to get to do both and I don’t take it for granted, even when days are hard. I’m learning to give myself grace.” From starting her day at the Happily Grey Headquarters, Lee does not shutter at the 8:30 am call time. Whether it is answering emails or shooting content with HG’s photographer, for Lee, each day for her and her team is new and full of possibility. Hitting the ground running after Christmas has given the Happily Grey team tunnel vision, narrowing in on preparations for the recent store opening. Considering Lee’s notable repertoire of worldly travels and insta-worthy experiences, the influencer insists her perspective on the global scale has given her newfound permission to create what you want, with what drives and moves your soul. “One of my favorite aspects of traveling is getting to experience the culture and vibe of a specific place. Everywhere I visit has a different feel and a different approach to fashion and interior. Whether it’s an emphasis on aesthetic or on function, I love getting to glean from these experiences and adapt them to my style.”
From traveling the world to overseeing a top-tier platform for launching multifaceted products and raising and expertly styling beautiful Navy James, this year, the influencer, working mom and media mogul is adding one more to do on her already busy list: “I am working on being more present and trying to spend less time on my phone during off-hours and to read more.” Careful not to reveal too much, but just enough to entice, there may be plans for the Happily Grey empire to begin carrying its label. Stay tuned!
