Every new brand’s birth nurtures a unique story, while they all share the common goal of delivering a distinctive experience to consumers, enabling them to embrace the clothing's unparalleled individuality. After receiving the Excellent Award at the 2019 Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC), fashion designer Louis Chow didn't immediately set out to launch his own label. Instead, he quietly designed garments for others until the end of 2023, when he introduced his first personal brand, MARCCH. To foster the brand’s uniqueness, Louis emphasises that MARCCH’s designs will solely stem from his personal preferences, remaining uninfluenced by external factors that may alter the brand’s style. FASHIONALLY interviews the designer, to understand the story behind the establishment of MARCCH and its future direction.
Q1. What does ‘MARCCH’ represent? Does the name have any special meaning?
The word ‘MARCCH’ means ‘March’ and also incorporates the abbreviation of my English name. The reason behind founding this brand was to create something unique, introducing clothing that aligns with my personal taste and is rarely found in the market.
Q2. In the MARCCH SS24 collection, you chose the element of knots and created a series of pieces. How did that idea come about?
I was inspired by the artist John Baldessari, who is known for his use of blank spaces and collages in his artwork.I named the MARCCH SS24 collection ‘The Space Between This title signifies the idea of creating an imaginary space when wearing MARCCH garments. In particular, the incorporation of knot elements enables the wearer to freely adjust the length, giving them the option to have sleeves or go sleeveless. This design concept aims to provide them with more choices and freedom, enabling them to showcase their unique style. This is a distinctive hallmark of MARCCH.
Q3. What was the response to your first collection, and how do you feel about it?
As SS24 was my first collection, I honestly didn't have very high expectations. However, the combination of music and backdrop on the runway at the FASHIONALLY fashion show created a visually stunning effect. Additionally, compared to many ready-to-wear collections in the market, my collection stood out with its intricate designs, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. What surprised me the most was that despite being a new brand, I received orders from numerous customers for pieces from this collection, which has boosted my confidence for the next collection.
Q4. Did winning the Excellent Award at YDC 2019 have any impact on your creative work?
Participating in YDC provided me with a deeper understanding of the fashion industry in Hong Kong and gave me the opportunity to engage with various media platforms. This invaluable experience has instilled confidence in me to establish the MARCCH brand. Through my involvement in YDC, I established valuable connections with other designers, industry professionals, and the media, all crucial for the brand’s development and promotion.
Q5. What challenges did you encounter during the creation of this collection?
Having a full-time job and designing the collection was challenging. I could only dedicate my time to the MARCCH SS24 collection when I wasn’t at work, or on vacation days. As this was my inaugural collection, I wanted to present the best possible outcome, which set high standards for myself. There were instances where a few finished pieces didn’t meet my expectations, requiring me to redesign them. Despite the time and effort invested, I found joy in the process. My goal is to improve and excel in the next collection, continuously enhancing my design skills and the brand quality.
I hope that when people see elements such as knots, bows, and collages, they can immediately associate them with MARCCH.
Q6. In the collection, what is your favourite piece?
The collection featuring the knot element is my favourite. It not only embodies MARCCH’s creative philosophy but also captures the attention of the audience. I also hope that the knot, bow, collage, and other elements become memorable and instantly recognisable as designs from Marcch.
I believe that the consistency of style is one of the crucial factors for the success of a brand.
Q7. What do you hope to bring to your customers?
I hope that when customers wear seemingly simple garments, they can feel the playfulness and uniqueness inherent in them.
Q8. What stage do you feel you are currently at in the fashion industry?
I feel that I am in the early stages, just starting out in the fashion industry. There is still much to learn and explore.
Q9. What’s the next step for Marcch?
I am currently in the process of preparing for the release of my second collection, which is scheduled to launch in April. I am also planning to participate in trade shows held in Asia, such as Japan or Ontimeshow in Shanghai. The main reason for choosing to participate in these exhibitions is that I believe my designs are more suitable for the Asian market.
Text, Video, Photo : Ken Lam
