Marshall Columbia Talks Puffy Purses, Dressing Dua Lipa & Miley Cyrus

Marshall Columbia could have just started out his vogue line during the pandemic, but in that short period of time of time, his pieces have previously been worn by Dua Lipa, Kali Uchis, Megan Thee Stallion, Miley Cyrus, and Hunter Schafer, just to title a handful of. Nicely-recognized for his unbelievably puffy, neon-hued plush bags with sensitive beadwork, the model is described by natural lower-outs, amazing pops of coloration, and mesmerizing facts that make you search 2 times, perhaps even 3 times—even amid the latest crowded, maximalist trend on your social media feed.

Previously this year, Marshall Columbia also released his very first capsule selection on SSENSE, marked by an explosion of cascading heart prints, cropped puffy vests and waves of bodycon tops with signature beadwork. “This very last collection was genuinely motivated by a ton of the cartoon superheroes I utilised to love,” Columbia tells W. “When I was rising up, it was all about Completely Spies! and The Powerpuff Women.”

Up next, the designer is operating on a menswear collection owing to release in March 2022. “I’ve taken this option to design for myself in a way,” he states. “I’ve normally just been planning for other folks and I really don’t wear any of my dresses that I designed.” According to Marshall, the new capsule will extra intently mirror his possess relaxed style, with a few unisex pieces and women’s pieces as perfectly. As Columbia is effective on his approaching collection, we spoke with the designer about his track record as a costume designer and the signature plush bag that shot him to notoriety.

You begun your line during the pandemic. What has it been like to rise so immediately, with stars donning head-to-toe appears to be like of your models on purple carpets?

It’s been a whirlwind, simply because I don’t come from the vogue marketplace. I was in costume structure. So just figuring out how to resource issues and manufacturing—all the company stuff—was truly crazy. I experienced to determine it out quickly. But outside the house of that, it’s been so enjoyment acquiring the chance to perform and make apparel that people today find pleasure in wearing.

How did becoming in costume design and style influence your way of working?

Dazzling shades have usually resonated with me. I beloved to dress up as a kid I was in theater, and when I moved to New York, I was in faculty and doing the job for this designer who did drag. We produced apparel for drag queens on Rupaul’s Drag Race. I figured out a great deal about myself and my style level of see for the duration of that time.

You have formerly stated that you are influenced by arts and crafts. Can you elaborate on that?

I generally check out and stage it back to some place in my early childhood, simply because I appreciate to create the sense of nostalgia. I used to adore arts and crafts—that’s all I would do when I was a kid. I misplaced that for a when. By starting my manufacturer, I uncovered a good deal about consolation and likely back to that space.

What was the inspiration behind the puffy bag?

I just was bored and I preferred to have a craft instant. I began messing about with earning a plush purse, and then I experienced some beads all-around. I was like, We need to have to place these on it. It was not just about anything for a even though. And then the pandemic happened and I didn’t have a occupation. I started out offering them on Depop and it went from there. After that, Miley Cyrus wore just one of my outfits, the beaded accommodate, which I basically designed in college. It just type of started out spiraling and individuals began achieving out.

Have you constantly required your own style manufacturer?

Ever due to the fact I was in college, I understood this was one thing I was interested in. But before college, I was not truly into it—I went to faculty for music for a bit, and then I got seriously burnt out and I was like, What do I do? All of a unexpected, I became so obsessed with style and various designers. So I went to fashion college.

What is your go-to outfit on an day to day basis?

I utilised to gown pretty loud, with dazzling colours. But clearly relocating into this time of owning my very own brand, I sense like my outfit has gotten so muted—baggy pants and hoodies, which I’m not mad about. I appreciate that with a small purse.

What’s the final detail you obtained?

I obtained these definitely cute hand-painted pants by Juliet Johnstone—she just obtained into SSENSE and we began our brands at the identical time. So it’s been great to both equally grow so significantly.

What’s the best trend guidance you at any time received?

My greatest information from a design and style trainer who reported each and every depth counts. You can design and style pants, but they can be distinctive, simply because every single sew counts. And that is something I constantly consider about when developing. I do not just want to make a straightforward t-shirt. I have to glance at each solitary angle.

What’s a person merchandise you generally carry with you?

My blue and yellow crocheted purse. I generally have it. I imagine it was initially a beach front bag, but it’s develop into a staple for me. A mate was transferring and they didn’t have ample area for it, so they gave it to me. I have it everywhere you go.

What did you costume like as a teenager?

I dressed actually comparable to how I’ve been dressing in the past year. I grew up in Colorado and there were being not a good deal of manner influences there—everyone’s about to go on a hike or do yoga. I just wore hoodies and baggy pants. I consider the significant change is that now, I normally have a tiny purse and I sense like that helps make my look.

Do you have a favored style designer?

I was actually inspired by Alexander McQueen, as cliché as that seems just due to the fact there is certainly a story there with all the things. I imagine that is the hardest component for me, to make guaranteed my tale is currently being portrayed even with a very simple garment. Any designer who can do that is seriously talented.

What about a type icon?

I truly grew up in a very conservative house and I come to feel like I skipped the early 2000s, for the reason that I could not pay attention to most tunes or look at a good deal of Tv. I had this instant in high college when I was coming out and going absent from all that. I re-explored the early 2000s. So I enjoy Paris Hilton and Dennis Rodman.

Is there one person currently that you would appreciate to see sporting your items?

I definitely want Blackpink to don my pieces in a music movie or some thing. That would be so enjoyable for them—and me.