Designer Lisa Mayock on Jewelry, Jerky, and Her Guiltiest TV Pleasure

We love MONOGRAM because of their bullshit. By that, we mean the brand’s perfectly cut, dreamily slouchy tees and sweatshirts emblazoned with the sorta swear word. Lisa Mayock launched the brand, along with her husband Jeff Halmos, in 2016. The two share an impressive fashion pedigree—she co-founded Vena Cava while he was half of Shipley & Halmos. MONOGRAM pays homage to the vintage ‘70s and ‘80s tees, but with a modern tongue-and-cheek twist. And as both our closets can attest, everything is collectible-worthy. So you can imagine how psyched we were to get the chance to ask Lisa about her Haystack Story—and it’s a tale as cool as one of her tees. No bullshit.

Name: Lisa Mayock
Occupation: Co-Founder, MONOGRAM
Handle: @monogram
Location: Los Angeles, CA

What’s the item that stars in your Haystack Story?
Definitely my heavy-weight silver link bracelet. It's looks like Gucci from the ‘70s but the brand is most likely something random. Doesn't really matter to me because I love it!

Do you still have it?
I do still have it and I keep it on my wrist, usually.

Tell us about it!
It has huge links like a men's ID bracelet and a functional clasp like a belt buckle. I found a matching belt in a Buenos Aires thrift store for $1, so now I have the full set.

Why is it so perfect?
You can wear it with literally anything. It's elegant but looks oversized like it could be a men's bracelet. It's perfect with a sweatshirt and I've also worn it to black-tie events.

How does it make you feel?
Classy!

If your bracelet could talk what would it say?
"You're classy."

Where did you get it?
At a thrift store near where I grew up in South Pasadena, about 15 years ago. It was $10 or $12.

Who did you have a crush on back then?
Willem Dafoe in the 1996 Prada campaign. He's a dreamboat and also slightly evil-looking.

What did your Friday nights look like?
I'd either go to a house party or see a band play and then head to a few bars after. Those were late nights.

If someone gave you $20 to spend, what would you have bought?
I think that's when I was starting to get into really ancient-looking threadbare t-shirts with tons of holes.

What show did you rush home to watch?
The OC and I told no one. It's embarrassing even now.

What was your favorite snack?
Beef jerky.

How are you the same as you were back then and how are you different?
I still love hunting for stuff on ebay, but now my saved searches have expanded to include children's clothing in size 5T.

Does the past affect what you do now at Monogram?
I've coveted graphic t-shirts since my dad wore so many great ones in the ‘80s. I have a few of his gems, and now I get to make them as my full-time job.

Illustration by Marisa Balmori