The Inspiration
My childhood summers were magical, spent with family in our hometown outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. It was the late 1970s and the decade's R&B and soul soundtrack was the background to life. The music, the cookouts, the visiting on porches, swimming, church, and the clothes! My mother and aunts dressed for everything and a simple outing still meant looking your best. I now have many of their clothes and accessories, and every compliment I got when wearing them brought me closer to the moment I decided to create a line inspired by this beloved matriarchy and our culture.
Mom c. 1980
Founder & Designer
Mary Lynn Harris
Someone asked me "Why are you starting a new business now? Why not at 25, 35, or even 45?". My answer was simple, inspiration can't be planned - it arrives when its ready. Creativity has always been my compass, first it was a catering business I started at 19. I had a love for the details and going above and beyond. I was in designing a menu, not just cooking, drawing detailed floor plans, not just setting up tables. I was creating entire experiences.
For decades, I crafted moments, and immersed myself in the art of bringing people together which brought me to my second career as a wedding and event planner. Still satisfying my love of food and entertaining it was a good fit for me for decades. Then in early pandemic days, with all events canceled for the foreseeable future, I moved from New Jersey to London to become a college freshman and study art history, it was there on the kitchen table in my flat Hymn was born. A line of accessories that connects past and present. In moving across an ocean, I found something uniquely grounded in home.