Mark Williams-Washington: Fashion designer on the rise

by Lisa Dumas

Fashion designer, wardrobe stylist, music producer, and DJ--Mark Williams-Washington is a man of many talents, and he has the credentials to prove it.

Through jobs and internships with companies like Frankie B., Parasuco Denim, SP Magazine, Palomar Pictures, Sony-Columbia Records, and Sony Music Distribution, this 24 year-old American InterContinental University graduate has worked with some of the best in the entertainment business, and the list doesn't stop there. He's also held A&R positions with Universal Music Group-Interscope/Geffen, BMG Music Publishing, and MTV-VHI Networks.

As a result, this up-and-coming fashion expert has acted as wardrobe stylist and fashion designer to several of the music industry's elite, including stars like Eminem, 50 Cent, DMX, Jessica Simpson, and George Michael to name a few.

"I use celebrities to get my ideas out there for free," he said. "The easiest way to get into the industry is to do wardrobe styling. People will ask them 'What's that? Who did that for you?'"

And not only has he dressed famous performers for high-priced videos--in addition to putting his own music out on the mix-tape circuit--but he's put together fashion spreads and photo shoots for magazines as well. His favorite fashion spread was for an actress in Los Angeles named Bai Ling who has appeared in such movies as The Matrix, Charlie's Angels, and The Crow.

"I was the lead stylist and I wasn't working under anyone. That was the job I had the most freedom with. It was for the China Morning Post, the lead U.S. publication in China, Japan and Australia."

With an eye for fashion, and an ear for music, Mark says his career objective is to be "like a Russell Simmons, Sean Combs, or Jay-Z." Still, although he admires these music and fashion moguls, his ultimate goal is to take his designs to an even higher level.

"I do beats, I spit, and I do fashion. I would probably want my career to mirror Puffy's," he said. "But no urban designer is a couture designer, or 'high fashion' designer. They're the people I call lifestyle designers. They capitalize on people's whole lifestyles. They make clothes, curtains, cars, soap--everything. John Galliano, Alexander McQueen-people like that. That's the level of fashion I want to take it to."

And while he makes his way up the fashion-industry ladder, Mark says two artists he would like to style but hasn't yet are Foxy Brown and Lil' Kim.

"Foxy Brown, her image is big. I would like to work with her, and Lil' Kim--they really stick out. Or Michael Jackson. He would be a challenge for me because I don't know what I would put him in. How do you make the clothes stand out from him? That probably would make or break someone's career."

"For now," he said, "I'm just gonna' do the mix tapes, get my line off the ground, and keep doing wardrobe styling."

As for the future, he's got the three things he needs most to make it to the forefront of the fashion industry--big dreams, official skillz, and the connections to make it happen.

A Fashion Tip: What makes an outfit? How you personalize it. Someone could have the exact same outfit as you, but it's how you personalize and accessorize the clothes that brings out your sense of style.