Well hello again to all you lovers of
fashion and trendsetters out there! It’s your girl, Nombuso, bringing you yet
another offering of the amazing, inspiring, insightful designers who along with
their creations celebrate the creativity within and are changing the fashion
scene of their hometowns and ultimately Southern Africa one tee, one print, one
garment at a time! Hope you enjoyed our last offering and we do hope that we've
channeled the maverick in you!
Today we have yet another founder and
designer (doubles as a graphic designer) for the label Mark Swag that has been
doing the rounds in my hometown of Manzini. He prefers to be identified as
Ghost as he does not want everybody to know who is really behind the brand. This
brand has presence, has what it takes to stick out like a sore thumb (no pun
intended) which I do hope it never does, very street styled prints and is more
of a movement, a state of mind rather than it being just a clothing line. It’s
a label on the move. The wearer simply has a Mark Swag tee and goes with it.
Man I’m excited and inspired by having to do yet another level that is
redefining clothing as well as the designs that inspire these brands. True
Maverickz changing the fashion scene in our region!
Ghost is legit people, no funny business
here. Mark Swag prides itself with being an innovative international brand of
young and fresh designers producing clothing items that may never be repeated
again. Sounds like a fad, an item or accessory that reaches its peak quickly
and never makes a come-back in the fashion scene again. Also it’s been caught
the attention of some South African musicians which is something that is really
amazing and impressive as every budding designer desires to have their label
worn by some celebrity out there. To them I say Congratulations! Without any
further ado, check out this interview
1) Please introduce yourself?
Marques Ricco Matola, a fashion and graphic designer who happens to be a Mark Swag representative.
2) Tell us about your brand?
We are an International Brand of innovative, young and
fresh designers. Mark Swag prides itself in it's ability to produce a wide variety of clothing that may or may not be repeated.
This gives us the opportunity to claim that we are the Most EXCLUSIVE Brand.
It was established in 2011. Sweaters cost E320.00, t-shirts E260.00, Snapback
Caps E120.00 and Winter Beanies are E80.00.
3) What makes your brand
unique?
It simply has to be the custom fit cut and signature prints
on the top of sweaters and t-shirts be it leather, African Tribal Prints or lace
at times.
4) What inspired you to start
your brand?
That’s an interesting question which I feel I don’t have an answer to
but I’d like to just make a point by saying that it was challenging oneself for
the love of fashion because people don’t understand that fashion isn't just
getting dressed in fancy apparel. Its more about matching or shall I say
complimenting the fit satisfactorily.
5)
What advice would you give
to anyone who wants to start their own brand?
My advice is never be afraid
to fail, don’t get lazy and copy people’s ideas, be passionate, last but not least
BELIEVE.
6) Where can or readers buy your stuff?
At the moment Mark Swag is
available at EMC Design Studio which is in Manzini, Swaziland, (Casa Minha
Building Shop #4) and is also currently available in South Africa, Johannesburg
at the East Gate Mall (Carbon Store). Or Order On Facebook or e-mail, support@markswag.com or www.facebook.com/markswagclothing
7) Correct me if I’m wrong but I saw a presenter for Shiz Niz on Craz-e, Evan Creamer, wearing a stunning print of your Mark Swag t-shirts. Did you get any compliments for it in South Africa?
Well, yes. We are working
with Evan Creamer of Shiz Niz, also Bass and King Jay of Oskido’s Stable as
they featured on Speedy & Stoan’s Aziwe music video wearing the New Mark
Swag Tribal Print Sweaters. Female artist Zahara got herself one as well.
8) From the posts you've made on your brand I get that it makes a statement, has presence and is more of a movement. Its an idea and a state of mind. What would you say is the identity of the brand is?
It’s a trendsetter on its own, it’s about being up to date with fashion,
it’s that feel good type of wear. I feel like it’s that type of wear everyone
wants to be involved in, it motivates, opens up a challenge for young designers
to make them try and come up with their own clothing line.
9) As with every Art Movement was driven by an idea i.e Futurist, Pop Art, Surrealism, Constructivist movements, etc and as certain events have influenced fashion (e.g Le Smoking by Yves Saint Laurent, the Little Black Dress by Coco Chanel), is there anything that influences you and your brand?
The designers behind Mark
Swag are crazy, playing around with different concepts as they produce
different kinds of clothing daily. It’s more like implementing creative ideas
onto material.
10) At what level do you hope to take your brand and are there other
ventures you’re currently eyeing?
It’s already gone
international but that isn't enough because it’s not at a Ralph Lauren level or
another international brand most definitely but it appears to be invisible at
the moment.
11) Is the client base growing for your brand and how well is it doing?
Is that a trick question? Well… This winter our target is to push at least 1000 units of sweaters.
12) And lastly Mark Swag is……
Hold up, what is "Mark Swag"?!! That’s a question that’s been circulating the
Earth’s surface for a couple of years now.
If I could define it: I wouldn't have the best definition because Mark
Swag is versatile but one thing I'm certain of is that: Mark Swag is an Alter
Ego of a brand of itself, it's Passion, it's Power, it's not just clothing or swag,
it's on another level. I’d say its fashion.
Well there you have ladies and
gentlemen! A bright, confident young man who believes in the potential as well
as power of his brand and who has done very well for himself as having had his
brand of t-shirts featured with presenters, upcoming musicians modeling his
brand of t-shirts and having a famous musician purchase one for herself – we
salute you! We do hope you continue the great work because clearly what you put
out there in indeed quality! Till next time darlings, cha-cha!
