As I was walked up the narrow staircase of CECO Studios on Friday, I was unsure of what to
expect. I was unfamiliar with the concept of a “virtual runway show,” let alone have an
understanding of the process. When I entered Studio B, a large green screen emerged into my
field of vision. Passion Pit’s mild rhythmic syncopation began playing on the sound system
and Candice Swanepoel, fashion model and Victoria Secret Angel, appeared in front of the
screen before me in a floor-skimming, animal print gown.
This is Marc Bouwer’s fourth season opting for a film presentation to exhibit his collection.
Marc explained, “Everyone gets their information from the internet today. With the amount of
shows that go on during fashion week – about 30 shows a day – it is hard to make the
desired impression with editors and celebrities.”
Making an impression with celebrities was never an issue with Marc Bouwer. In fact,
Beyonce wore two of his creations just this past week. With thousands of brands competing
for the face-time of megastars, we wondered, how does one compete? Bouwer tells District
L, “I don’t know how it happened, but I have been dressing Beyonce since she was in
Destiny’s Child!”
Marc did not always want to be a designer, yet like any great success story, fate found him. “I
was an aspiring actor, but right out of high school, I entered a design competition – just to
see. And I won! Then I started to think, ‘Hey, this is something I am quite good at!’” And what a
fantastic revelation, for if he were on the red carpet, as opposed to dressing the red carpet,
we would never get to witness the fabulous collection that will be launched on video at
www.marcbouwer.com on February 18th.
