We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Markis Peay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Markis below.

Markis , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear a story from back when you were an intern or apprentice. What’s a memorable story you can share with us?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dressed differently and had my own style. I never submitted to trends or styles I saw on social media or in school. I loved to wear what I like and thought was cool. During my 6th grade year, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to China. An all expense paid trip because I won student of the year. On this trip I was able to experience and see everything in China. I can definitely say the style is extremely different than in America but in a great way. I wore what wasn’t popular in either country. I expected to be questioned or look at a certain way by the people there in China. To my surprise they loved my outfits, loved my look. Granted they’re were little to no people that look like me ethic wise but the compliments were never about my physical features but about my style. I took amazing pride in that because I was able to be myself in a different country, miles and miles from home and still be able to receive a likeness in my fashion sense. On day we were shopping and this guy comes up to me with broken English. He tells me that I look like a celebrity and ask to touch my hair and my clothes. Some would find it weird but for me it was something they’ve never seen before. And it was new to all of us so why not just live in the moment.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

To start, my name is Markis Peay. I go by Marko. I love music, art, culinary arts, traveling, interior design and fashion. I got into fashion at the age of 7. My dad always wanted to style me and tell me what to wear but there was always respectful pushback. I always had my own style. When I was younger I’d always draw my designs and clothing ideas but never acted on it because I didn’t know being a fashion designer was a thing back then. As I got older I studied fashion shows, the art of fashion, the history of it and different designers. I would go to stores and touch every garment to feel the difference in fabrics and styles. In 2018 I started making visual mock-ups and designs and posting them on social media. I would also take pictures in various outfits and everyone would tell me I should start my own brand and become a fashion designer. So I listened and started Devine Eternity, now known as Galerie Séraphique. In the past year I’ve designed for brands like Hellstar, GvGallery, and more. I’ve also interned under Louis Vuitton creatives. And plan on briefly staying in Europe and Japan to be mentored and enhance my craft. I try to let any and everything inspire me. In the fashion world everyone is already different but I always ask myself, “How can I turn heads when they’re already turned?” Everyday I try to design and come up with something never seen before. So I spend hours studying and designing. I design on average about 150-200 garments a day. I stopped trying to be a regular clothing brand because no one is different anymore. Just copy and paste. And only doing it for the money. I’m doing it for the love and passion I have for designing and clothes. I’m greatly inspired by Pharell and his latest Louis Vuitton collection. Also inspired by Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, Yohji Yamamoto and more. My brand features something for all people, all styles and all people.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

To start my business i worked a regular job like a teen. Worked at Chic-Fil-A and Popeyes briefly and used those checks to fund the brand. Then eventually used the proceeds of the orders to run it.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I always post. I think consistency is very important. Letting the people know you’re working but also keeping them in suspense of what happens next. I’ve made a presence of always coming back bigger than the last. So people always ask what I have planned or what I’m working on. Posting my ideas or garments and getting feedback and constructive criticism .

Contact Info:

• Website: https://galerieseraphique.myshopify.com/?fbclid=PAAaYibA45L5UmN_dhlECrKPHQCpN1IH-o1m1RBQyMxHfMc96ADY60XqgS5YA_aem_AeEm9ZTyUPFf66ld_h1SC-gq1ihi8zBZBuluHbP8KFK_ccBghwrAb4iCRMwLFW53TNc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/srym4rko?igsh=cjM0c2VheXBib2Fo&utm_source=qr