Manresa Island, located in Norwalk, CT, was once home to a now defunct power plant. Though it is no longer standing, the legacy of Manresa still remains in the lives of those who live in the area. Mike McLachlan, a native of Norwalk, was inspired by his hometown and its history to create a truly remarkable clothing brand - Manresa.

Mike's journey to success didn't come easily, however. He started out as any other 13 year old kid, wearing Levi's and Jordans, but he eventually found his way to creating a successful, independent business. Manresa is a testament to Mike's passion and creativity, and a reminder of the impact that the past has on our present.

Mike McLachlan got his start in the fashion world while attending Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he studied fashion design and launched his own clothing brand, Mint City. It was there that he met Professor Fred J. DeVito, who served as a mentor and taught him principles like color theory and the creative process, as well as how to create computer aided designs. Despite the high quality of the products his brand exhibits today, Mike admitted he failed his studio design techniques class twice. “It was basically a sewing class - sewing together a shirt? I just couldn’t do it,” he told me. However, through trial and error, the idea of making clothes stuck in Mike’s mind and he had a clear vision, even if his skillset wasn’t quite there yet. Eventually, McLachlan leaned into his newfound knack for the digital side of design and switched his major to graphic design. But personal issues and fights with inner demons can often distract you from what you want to accomplish.

“College was around the time that drugs and drinking really nosedived my shit. The first time shit hit the fan for me, I just stopped doing Mint City all together. I gave the brand away to my buddy, and started something else called No Mans Land. I did that for about a year before I really hit rock bottom. I stopped that, got sober, and didn't do anything (with fashion) for years. And then Manresa just... I couldn't help it. I didn't want to make anything anymore, I just wanted to have a 9-5 and pay the bills. But I couldn't stop. Scribbling the name, drawing little logos, shit like that.”

After graduating college, and working some corporate graphic design jobs for a few years, the idea of making clothes still lingered in Mike's mind. It seemed like even if he wanted to, Mike could never have walked away from fashion completely.

It was 2017 when Mike decided to reignite his creative spark. Submitting an application to Madbury Club's design internship, he opted to make a statement with his application and crafted three unique t-shirts to send instead of a traditional resume. After looking at the products he had created, he was inspired to forgo the internship and instead use the products as the foundation for his own brand. Naming it after his hometown landmark, Manresa, he launched the brand with a website and an Instagram page. And with that, the journey of Manresa began.

Since 2017, Manresa has released 25 full collections, along with various smaller capsules in between, and has been featured in GQ and Mr. Porter, as well as opening a popup store in Manhattan. From simple high-quality screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies, the brand has since expanded to include outdoor gear. New England style shines through in items such as the Tuck's Ripstop Puffer Coat, the Wallace Corduroy Pants, Tartan Fleece, and the Lachlan Flannel Shirts. Mike remains true to his roots, still including graphic t-shirts in almost all of his collections.

Now that you've learned the history, you may still be wondering how this cathartic side project turned into a full-time job. The answer is not simple; rather, it can be attributed to a combination of factors. Mike's fantastic Instagram presence, constantly evolving yet always current designs, a plethora of knowledge on clothing and pop culture, and a truly masterful understanding of pockets are all integral to his success. Still, none of this would have been possible without one thing: hard work. Mike should serve as an icon to those who dream of turning a simple idea into something incredible. I am honored to be able to call him a friend, and I cannot wait to see where his work ethic will take this brand in the future.