Marquise Foster: From The Runway to Project Runway

As a result of his very editorial-leaning aesthetic, his name rings bells in Fashion-Stylist circles- who pull his pieces for inclusion in shoots that often feature your standard-variety pret-a-porter (Gucci, Fendi, Laquan Smith, Marquise Foster). A Marquise Foster top or accessory immediately pushes that stylishly-placed Gucci piece to the edge and makes the look (and the image) memorable. So it makes perfect sense that he would land a spot on television’s most popular fashion-design competition series , Bravo TV’s “Project Runway” franchise. It also stands to reason that he would outshine all of the other designers and emerge triumphant in the show’s Streetwear challenge segment and establish himself as a contender.  As of the writing of this article, Foster stands a chance to win.

When you first see Foster on the show, you get the feeling right away that there’s creativity there; the severity of a high mock necked, harnessed track jacket softened by the inclusion of a strategically-placed floral print defies convention. Is it sportswear? Is it fetish? Is it gender-neutral? Is it all of those things and maybe a few other things that defy categorization? These are the questions that are always at the front of one’s mind looking at his creations. The uniform-like quality of this one jacket he’s wearing- paired with his near-perfect -posture and elegant carriage and demeanor- makes one pay attention.

Of course, the Ballroom community (which Foster is a member of and proudly embraces publicly) has been paying attention to him and his talent for years.  Many a Ballroom Star, Statement, AND Legend have pranced about the Ballroom floor in his creations; they belong there, front and center, for all to see and judge. His Garb consistently garners #TENzAcross

Its hard to put you in a box as far as the fashion industry goes.  How would you describe/define yourself as a designer?
I am easy going, laid back with a lot of creativity in my mind. It’s hard to turn off my thinking process especially when it comes to design.

From designing ball effects to opening your own fashion lines, what did you find was the biggest difference?
The big different for me is that when designing for my brand I have to make sure it’s something that can be seen walking down the street. Designing for a ball allows me to create something that will turn heads and puts questions in someone’s mind.

Talk to us about how you made your way from Oakland to NYC and landed in the middle of the Ballroom scene?
I grew up in Louisiana and raised in Oakland,Ca. I moved from Oakland to start my dream as a fashion designer and for me New York would give me that experience I needed to own what I want to become. I decided at the age of 20 that I would give New York a try so I up and left California with $200 to follow my dreams. If I didn’t make it in New York then at least I could say I tried and could move back to California but everything worked out for me and I’ve been in New York for 10 years now.

Do you remember your first Ball & 10s?

My first ball and 10s were in San Francisco in Dec 2006 and that was the first time I walked All American runway.

When reading a category what are some of the factors in deciding to walk?
The creativity of the category is what makes me want to walk. I like to be challenged when it comes to what I need to create for my effect.   If it allows me to create something that is out of this world then the category is right for me.

 

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What’s one skill you have (outside of fashion) that people would be surprised to learn you’re good at?
One skill that I have is that I know how to cook, I watched a lot of cooking shows as a kid which made me want to be a chef and open a restaurant. Unfortunately I didn’t pursue cooking because Fashion was my true calling.

So far this season you have won the streetwear challenge & on Project Runway’s Insta Vote. What has been the response been like since those wins?
The response from others have truly been a blessing, I didn’t realize the amount of support I would be getting from people that don’t even know me and have never seen me in action before. It gives me more confidence as a self taught designer that I am great at what I’m doing and to be proud of how far I’ve came.

What’s next for you?
The next thing for me is to work on a collection to show during fashion week in September. I want to find some dope sponsors who can help bring my vision to life.