Rising ICON #49: Marcus Alipate
What name do you prefer to be called?
Marcus
Where did you grow up?
I grew up all over, I moved 8 times in 12 years. Born in Canada, raised in California, lived in New York and Minnesota.
What city are you currently based in?
Bay Area + LA
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
Firm handshake
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
I am a connoisseur of reggae music.
Who do you help?
Those on a mission to pursue their purpose.
What are you building now?
Brands that focus on purpose
What were you building ten years ago today?
Ironically, brands that focus on purpose
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
Legacy brands that transcend cultures + time.
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
Fashion isn’t clothing, it’s an extension of who you are.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
I believe the work I do matters because storytelling is woven into the fabric of human history. It's how we make sense of the world and connect with others. Similarly, clothing is a form of storytelling, expressing who we are before we even speak. Combining storytelling and clothing reveals volumes about our identities. As a result, my work not only celebrates individual expression but also contributes to the rich tapestry of human experience.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
Pierre-Laurent Baudey, a professor of mine, is one of the brightest minds I’ve met and is very well-known in our industry. The advice he gave me was to pursue purpose in what I do, simple yet impactful.
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
“We The Roses” collection which stems from the idea that we all come from different gardens. We have unique life experiences that shape us into who we are today. See roses come in all different shapes, colors, and sizes but at the end of the day - they are all still roses. We are people who come from entirely different walks of life, yet we are all still human. We believe in marveling at how someone blossoms instead of focusing on their thorns. We celebrate the damaged petals that grew from concrete.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Business of Fashion
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Jay Shetty
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
The Rose that grew from concrete.
What award would mean the most to win?
I don’t focus on awards, those are nice to have but never a goal of mine. Focusing on the process and being the best version of myself will lead to whatever God has in store for me.
What makes zero sense to you?
Blue Cheese, never been a fan.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Fast-Fashion
What game are you changing?
Fashion
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
Pacific Feats Festival in San Jose, California.
Where can we follow you online?
www.marcusalipate.com
www.offciallysmoove.com
IG: @ marcusalipate
LinkedIn: @ Marcus Alipate
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Strong team all pursuing the same vision.
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Marcus, for sharing your story!
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“I believe the work I do matters because storytelling is woven into the fabric of human history. It’s how we make sense of the world and connect with others.”
Notice: It’s important for our readers to understand the origin of the interview content. The featured ICON contributed responses that were not edited from the original submission. All claims are made solely by the contributor and do not reflect the views of LAUREL or its partners. Thank you for supporting rising leaders. The future is bold.
