Mark Anthony Scott (MAS) of Mark Anthony Designs is on the fast track to becoming one of Jamaica’s top designers.

He is an innovative mogul in the business of fashion, and quite industrious as we found him in his store (Mark Anthony Designs, 10 Argyle Road Kingston 10) working, surrounded by ready-to-wear garments fit for any fashion forward male.

Scott took a few moments to sit with teenAGE (TA) and tell us of his journey from emerging designer to fashion extraordinaire.

TA: Since we last met with you in 2009, as an emerging designer, list three major achievements since then.MAS:  My store and production facility is one; in 2009 I was operating from the comfort of my verandah. Certainly I have accumulated more machinery and also increased my staff compliment. Mark Anthony Designs now has a studio, a theme and a factory.TA: Is the Jamaican fashion industry worth being in?MAS:  This question is a tricky mixed feelings, sweet and sour, bitter sweet one. It’s a good place to start but I would say it’s a dying market and it’s people like me and other designers that are sort of trying to hold it together. Now is it worth being a part of? Certainly yes, because Jamaica is a brand so even though it’s dying when I travel overseas it’s a wonderful feeling to know that this little man from Jamaica is doing well on the international scene.TA: What is/was your biggest challenge as a designer?MAS: One of the biggest challenges is finding good fabric. There isn’t a one stop shop. I specialize in menswear and because of my specialization, you wouldn’t want to go uptown or downtown and buy fabric, then everybody is in the same thing. Secondly, finding good tailors and seamstresses, it’s hard to find tailors, seamstresses and especially persons who have good work ethic.TA:  What has been the greatest highlight of your career?MAS: Having a store front, having a place to call home where somebody can walk in and buy a Mark Anthony shirt. Not many designers are blessed where they can have a store front in a corporate area, facilitating persons from all walks of life.TA: What makes Mark Anthony designs different from another designer?MAS:  Me, my personality; I am different. Most of my designs are inspired by me. If I don’t like it, I won’t make it. My sense of style is different; I always try to work against the grain of the norm.TA: What is your personal style?MAS:  Clean lines, chic, just daring to be differentTA: What’s the must have item for any fashion forward male?MAS: The basics, a pair of black pants, black shoes, white shirt, black tie, black belt and a blazer if he can afford it.TA:  Who’s rocking the fashion industry both locally and internationally?MAS:  Locally, I’m rocking the fashion industry locally. There are many designers who are doing well and it’s hard to state just one designer who’s rocking.TA: Who is your style icon?MAS: If I say I have a style icon, then I would contradict what I said earlier about my style being inspired by me. I look up to Ralph Lauren, not just about his style but his techniques, his motivation and his story.TA:  What are your views on the new trend of ‘fashion has no gender’?MAS: If I have a dog and my dog is expected to bark, any day I come home and hear my dog behaving like a cat, I’m going to get rid of that dog. Fashion has a gender that’s why men wear shirts and women wear blouses; there is an exception for unisex garments such as tunics though.

TA: What’s your guilty pleasure?MAS: I’m a kid at heart, also I’m a weird but not in a weirdo kind of weird.TA:  What is the next big thing for Mark Anthony Scott?MAS: Being recognized and making strides on the international market, trying to push the Mark Anthony Brand… the world is waiting.TA:  Finally, what advice do you have for any young person interested in making a career in fashion?MAS: You have to firstly love what you do; you have to have a passion for fashion. If one is going into fashion to make money, perish that thought. Secondly learn the basics, start from the bottom, and work your way up to the top that way he / she is much more rounded.