Project Runway designer Marquise Foster proves hard work pays off
Marquise Foster might have been a self-taught fashion designer on Project Runway season 18, but he proved that hard work does bring success.
After a big win on the first print challenge, Marquise Foster struggled in the Project Runway Ashley Longshore collaboration. While the self-taught fashion designer had many creative elements, his final episode showed some fit issues. Still, Marquise knows that all this hard work has, and will continue, to pay off.
Considered a men’s wear designer with a hint of women’s wear, Foster’s brand, Marquise Foster, tends to have an edgy quality. From a hint of streetwear to a unisex vibe, these looks seem to set themselves apart in a different way.
In a couple of Project Runway episodes, Marquise seemed to fly under the radar slightly. Still, his designs offered a different perspective than the over-the-top, showy looks that seem to dominate this season.
As a member of the ballroom community, Marquise knows how to make a statement on a runway. His looks are carefully cultivated. There is something to be said about making a strong statement without being obvious.
In some ways, Project Runway offered both positives and negatives for Marquise. As seen in the Christian Siriano post-show interview, the time constraints of the competition seemed to impact his designs. While many of his personal looks take weeks to create, the limited time frame created difficulties.
Looking at what Marquise wants to explore, this Project Runway experience should set him in the right direction. While he does have his own brand, he wants to explore costume design. Given his background, the future looks bright for him.
After his final Project Runway episode, Marquise spoke to Culturess about his experience.
Culturess: With this week’s inspiration coming from Ashley Longshore, was this week’s challenge an opportunity to be unapologetically bold?
Marquise Foster: I do feel that this week’s challenge was all about making a statement. Looking at how Ashley Longshore is styled gives you a sense that the look must catch all eyes and have people wanting to know, “Where did you get that from?”
Culturess: Has art or a particular artist been a source of inspiration for your designs?
Foster: Art has always played a big part in my designs. I was in art class each year in high school, and I view my clothes as a work of art. The passion that I apply to my art is what makes my brand unique.
Culturess: How do your designs express your artistic vision?
Foster: I am all about unisex wear, and being able to design something that male, female, or non-binary [people] can wear is truly what I am all about, and I think I express that clearly with my designs.
Culturess: The pressure and grind of being on Project Runway can be overwhelming. Do you think that you were prepared for the struggles of the competition?
Foster: I do think that being a part of the ballroom community has prepared me for my journey on Project Runway — competing for a grand prize in front of your peers, not knowing the outcome as the judges vote on the best looks. Both Project Runway and the ballroom scene are structured environments that put pressure on the contestant to succeed in any challenge that’s thrown at them, and with a lot of feedback as to how you can do better the next time.
Culturess: It can be a hard balance to stay true to your aesthetic, yet not repeat the same look over and over. Do you think that you were able to push yourself in this competition?
Foster: I for sure pushed myself during my time competing on Project Runway. I am a men’s wear designer who sometimes gets stuck when it comes to designing for women. I have designed women’s clothes before, but my eye and sense of style is more heavy on men’s wear vs. women’s wear. I wanted to make sure that I added a little mixture of both to the table in order to stay true to who I am as a designer.
Culturess: Which Project Runway challenge do you wish that you had a second chance at or had a do-over?
Foster: I wish I could do the Good Will challenge over — that look didn’t do my skills justice.
Culturess: What’s next for your and/or your brand?
Foster: What’s next for me is to plan a fashion show with a new collection in hopes to gain more support for my brand and possible sponsorships. I want to also be a costume designer for movies, or TV shows and win an Emmy for my work. I will be working toward these goals day in and day out. Nothing in life is impossible as long as you work hard to get what you want.
Project Runway season 18 airs on Bravo, Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET.
Marquise Foster is the owner of his namesake brand.
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