MARCUS COVINGTON

Designer

KAZUTOSHI MARCUS ICHIKAWA

Category

Men’s & Women’s / Ready To Wear

Brand information / About the designer

―What inspired you to become a fashion designer? Describe developments leading up to the brand launch.

I originally went to a technical high school, but I didn’t want to go to university or get a job right away, and I only had a slight interest in fashion and drawing, so I went to a fashion school with a casual mindset. When I looked at it, I found out that every year I get to go to a school in Paris as a special student, and I want to become a world-famous fashion designer! That’s what I felt. After graduating, I was able to study abroad for a year and returned to Japan. After that, I continued to make clothes on my own through internships and part-time jobs, and after making costumes, I got a job at a company, and from there I started a brand.

―What is the brand’s concept? What do you want to communicate through fashion designing?

The brand’s concept is “a stylish person who likes to stand out.” I’ve always had a desire to stand out in a cool way, not for vulgar or unpleasant reasons. I’m half-American, but at that time there weren’t that many half-Japanese people, so every time I passed by someone, I would look back at them and laugh at them, and even though we were the same person, we were just a little different in skin color and appearance, so I wondered why. I always thought that I didn’t want to stand out like this. That’s why we strongly want to stand out because it’s surprising, cool, beautiful, or feels good when people look back on us, which is tied to the brand concept.

―What is your source of inspiration in creating fashion? What is your process of developing a design concept?

Sorry, that’s a secret.

―Who are your current stockists (areas, retail formats, etc.)? Describe the typical followers of your brand.

There are no wholesalers. Many of the fans who support us now are women. I think it’s probably because they like the character on SNS and the person called Marcus in everyday life.

―Which brands, designers, styles and cultures have had the most impact on your fashion designing, and why?

There’s no big name, but I think the brands that I think are cool are MOSCHINO, sacai, and Balmain. It’s difficult because I’m not good at explaining things, but I just think it’s cool.

About 2025 S/S collection

―Why have you chosen Tokyo (Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO) as the venue for presenting your collection?

Anyway, I want everyone to experience MARCUS COVINGTON’s world view. I’m not good at expressing myself in words, so I want people to feel that I want to stand out in a stylish way.

―What is the concept / image for your brand’s 2025 S/S season?

Main theme: “SMASH!!!!”
Subtitle: A full-throttle show-off who takes everyday life seriously
This year, I don’t think I was able to slack off in my design work, in making clothes in general, or in my private life. The biggest thing was that my grandmother, who had been my mother, passed away. I was really sad, but I’m sure my grandma would tell me to continue on the path I believed in even in times like these, that there was no time to rest, and no time to be sad, so I ran through everything seriously and at full throttle. I think it came. This work embodies that kind of me. This year’s main theme, “SMASH!!!!”, is a concept that incorporates the strong desire to overcome joy, sadness, and hardship with all your might.

Future

―What are your brand’s future outlook and goal?

We will become a global brand that creates a world where you can enjoy fashion to the fullest while standing out in style.

About TOKYO

―What does Tokyo represent for you?

I don’t think there are any cities where you can say that TOKYO = this. I live in Musashino City, which has a lot of greenery and is rather quiet. But just a short walk away is Kichijoji, and there are other big cities such as Shinjuku and Shibuya ahead, so it’s bright and very lively. I think TOKYO has many different faces.

―What are your favorite / recommended shops (of any genres, e.g. fashion stores, homeware stores, food services), facilities and sites?

Select shop 4RM. This is a select shop run by our company, and everything from the store layout to the items purchased is handled by a reliable team, making it a very comfortable and favorite place.