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A Feel For Fashion: Youssef Marquis

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Based in Paris, Youssef Marquis has earned a level of clout across the industry that reflects his 15 years as a communications specialist for leading luxury fashion brands such as Lanvin, Givenchy, and most recently, Louis Vuitton. Since launching his namesake agency, Marquis, in January last year, he has expanded his strengths in brand image strategy and celebrity relations, working in an ongoing capacity with LVMH, while drawing on his extensive network to implement high-impact creative partnerships for major talents across film, music and more. It helps that he provides a window into this lustrous world through his Instagram, @lamarquisette, where he has upwards of 165,000 followers as of fashion week. He cuts a dashing presence, tall and typically dressed top-to-toe in black – projecting the aura of someone who is shaping fashion before our eyes and behind the scenes.

This season marks 50 years of fashion weeks in Paris. What, for you, makes Paris Fashion Week® unlike any other?

 Paris really feels like the vibrant centre of fashion creativity. It’s that precise mix of established powerhouses and emerging brands that makes for such an exciting combo. It’s starting to feel a lot like ‘Make it here, make it anywhere,’ but the runway version!

 

What excites you in fashion right now?

Finding new ways of expression. Doing it a tiny bit differently – not too much compared to what is expected of a Paris show – but just enough to stand out. I think the most exciting challenge today is to exist through the noise, finding the voices that we never thought of. Somehow, there is something about the Paris market being crowded that makes brands and creatives want to find other paths. I find this thrilling when done right.

 

What is one reason to be optimistic about the state of fashion going forward?

We tend to focus a lot on what’s still wrong, but I would say one thing that is worth being optimistic about is the progress the industry has made in representing talents and bodies that look more like our society. The idea that everyone can find themselves in fashion, and that no one needs to be left behind, is probably one of our biggest wins.

 

Who or what will drive the greatest change in fashion this year?

The consumer will always be the most powerful being in the equation. I believe that with the evolutions of how we consume brands and products comes great change in the ways we present fashion – hopefully with growing creativity and a true search for singularity.

 

What impact might you hope to have on fashion this year? 

 In my own little way, I hope to bring positive change in everything we do with the brands we work with. We always strive to find the right balance between creating great cultural moments and respecting the fashion heritage of the brands and identity of the designers.

 

Can you suggest a fashion mantra as we look ahead to ’25? 

Just to have the most possible fun while doing it. We deserve it!

 

This interview has been lightly edited. 

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