Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Thomas.
Hi Marcus, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Marcus Thomas, Founder, CEO & Designer of MARCUS ALEXANDER, a boutique footwear company, with global aspirations, based in Los Angeles, CA.
I love shoes. I love how shoes function as utility and art simultaneously, and how this duality can empower both self-expression and self-preservation. I trained as a traditional shoe-maker, leaving the comfort of the States, to study at the London College of Fashion, in order to see the world with a new perspective. I am a footwear designer and want to improve the lives of others by elevating and simplifying their daily footwear needs. As a former Design Director, I learned to design with the consumer and bottom line in mind.
MARCUS ALEXANDER is a love letter to Chicago, my hometown. It is a manifestation of the powerful forces that formed me–my father teaching me how to analyze critically and respond; my mother instilling empathy; my grandparents teaching me humility; my sister protecting me; my cousins toughening me up; my friends teaching me how to laugh. MARCUS ALEXANDER, quite simply, is me, a testament to my collective life experiences, and the vehicle through which I share my gifts with the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish that it was smooth sailing, but I’m relishing the challenge to elevate above and push through obstacles, with the expectation of being stronger on the other side.
COVID has been a challenge to us, especially on the supply chain side. The cost to produce and ship have created challenges in our pricing model. We’d like to stay in the contemporary price range because we believe that is the greatest intersection of making inspirational products and selling products on a worldwide scale.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
MARCUS ALEXANDER, is a design-forward footwear brand, with a poetic and rugged aesthetic, at the intersection of sneaker culture and craftsmanship. Fusing tradition and innovation to create gutsy, sophisticated, tech-infused footwear, that is rooted in everyday utility. Delivering a rare combination of comfort, performance and considered design.
Quite simply, we create footwear that is forward, yet timeless.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My dream for MARCUS ALEXANDER is to impact the lives of others through great design; and the longer I design, the more I understand that the best products are not measured by the number of bells and whistles. Instead, I work to convey the heart of my design, by honoring the people and the journey that have inspired it.
My friends and family helped launch Marcus Alexander, through their support of our Kickstarter campaign. Our Kickstarter campaign established the financial foundation and customer base to drive growth during the first year of sales.
Marcus Alexander is inspired by my upbringing, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank my wife for her support, partnership, and resilience in our journey to the mountaintop. I am beyond thankful for my loved ones, without them I would not exist and neither would Marcus Alexander.
Pricing:
- $330
- 365
- 399
Contact Info:
- Website: marcus-alexander.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcus___alexander/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGapA6I1_fC3yT676dcR1LA
Image Credits
Credits: Creative Direction + Styling: @ravcollective Photographer: @andrewwaits Hair and Makeup: @jemimamoondog Models: @thatblackqueer + @yashikasuke
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