With a documentary in the works, and the release of an up coming coffee table book Glenroy March is plenty busy. The Jamaican born designer didn’t let the pandemic slow him down either. He created a master class in Ghana that inspired the collections he presented during the fall season of New York Fashion Week. He is positive minded, driven, and has a unique take on the industry. We are pleased to present designer, and founder of D’Marsh Couture. Glenroy March.
P: Hi Glenroy, let’s begin with the concept for this seasons presentation.
GM: This season’s collection is called “Building On The Best Of D’Marsh”. I’m working on a documentary, and I wanted to show the favorite looks from each collection. So this presentation builds on the documentary we are working on.
P: Why did you decide to present multiple collections?
GM: It’s a mixture of six collections, the original plan was to keep it at three of each of my favorite looks. For the documentary I wanted to go back and talk about all of the different collections. This is so that when you see it in the documentary you know where it came from. You will get to see the full collection.
P: How did the pandemic impact your brand?
GM: The pandemic was the best thing that ever happened to me. A lot of people don’t look at it that way or think that way. I created my Ghana master class in the middle of the pandemic Covid started in March, I can never forget it, I was at home. The 14th was the last job I had, and then everything shuts down. I went went home, and I said ” I have to keep my brand alive, how can I do that?” I said “but I teach”, okay nothing is going to happen in America because of all the politics and the rules. So I said “oh, I can go to a different country.
P: How did you arrange travel during the pandemic?
GM: I stayed in my living room and created the Ghana master class. I had a friend there, and I hired him as a project manager. This was the middle of Covid, everything was shut down. There was no vaccine, nothing. I booked my ticket when it was closed. Ghana’s borders opened on September 8th, and I was out. From that I realized that you have to keep going, and keep pushing.
P: Did you see similarities in the cultures of Jamaica, and Ghana?
GM: For me it’s as if all Jamaican’s come from Ghana. Officially the last ship that ended up with slaves in Jamaica came from Ghana.The food is a little different, but everything is Jamaican. They’re three hours late for everything; Jamaican. The guys like tight pants, same thing. Even the plants and the fruits, the markets. It’s the same way with everything, the good and the bad.
P: Besides the documentary what other projects are in the works?
GM: Now, I’m working on my documentary that comes out before my spring collection in September. I’m also working on my big coffee table book. As soon as I’m done with this collection I’ll pop them in my showroom, and that’s what I’m going to work on. I’m even moving p the timeline, in a month it should be out so I can work it to pay for my September show.
P: Looking back over the last year plus, what insights have stayed with you?
GM: My biggest thing with Covid was; darkness bring light. So it’s the best time for me because more, and more I realize that I have to live. I can’t think about “oh next year or when I’m 30.” I like to live for now, it actually makes me work harder.
Stylist: Danisha GreenJewlery: Quintas Jewels by Theo HansonCreative Director: Theo HansonMu/hair: Clarissa Reyes Academy
P: Over the past year and a half we have seen issues of social justice, and politics being part of conversations in the fashion industry. what are your thoughts?
GM: I have a saying in fashion it’s “two plus two equals a thousand.” That’s what I tell my kids, and that’s what I preach every day. If you research the brand you’ll see I don’t follow trends, I’m not a part of a clique. As true artists we’re losing because we want to be in a clique. And we want to be a part of things. So even for the Black Lives thing, I’m not a part it. I’m not a part of a Jamaican group, I’m a human being. I know who I am, I know where I’m coming from, and I know my struggles. Even just being black it’s harder but I don’t see it that way because I’m not trying to be somebody else.
P: Any thoughts about how fashion will evolve over the coming years?
GM: Fashion will always evolve but one thing people should know about fashion is that fashion is a cycle. There’s nothing we do that has not been done before. It just keep going in, and around. I put my touch but a generation 10 years from now may do something different.
P: Any thoughts about how fashion will evolve over the coming years?
GM: The truth is it boils down to just believing in yourself. Don’t think you can go to the bank with nothing, and get 10 million dollars. So you know what you go do? Go fry some fish, sell it, then make one dress then two dress. If they get that, they can build a billion dollar brand. I don’t sell you a fairly tale like ;”yes let me go because I’m black”. Nobody’s gonna give you money. Why should we give you money? How are you gonna pay it back?