Anthony Alvarez, founder and creative director of Blue Marble Opposite page: A look from Blue Marble f/w 2020 collection
Cover Anthony Alvarez, founder and creative director of Blue Marble Opposite page: A look from Blue Marble f/w 2020 collection

Find out how the man behind the global label Blue Marble, Anthony Alvarez broke into the fashion scene.

Armed with a smouldering dream, Filipino-French designer and entrepreneur Anthony Alvarez has come a long way. His interest in fashion since childhood has greatly inspired him to establish his own clothing brand. “Growing up, my mother always loved to dress up, and she took pleasure in dressing me up. She naturally transmitted her passion to me,” he shares. Born in New York, Alvarez grew up in a multicultural household, a factor which would, later on, influence his journey in the fashion sphere. “[Being] surrounded by diverse cultural backgrounds growing up tremendously influenced who I am and the way I design today,” says Alvarez, who now helms Paris-based menswear label Blue Marble as its founder and creative director.

But long before he established a career in fashion, Alvarez was working in finance in New York and London, following his father’s path after graduating from Cornell University. But working in the corporate world made it difficult for him to express his creative side. “My heart was not into it, and I was suffering from not expressing my creativity,” says Alvarez.

In 2016, he left his corporate job, travelled the world and chased after his life-long dream. A trip to the Philippines fuelled his passion in fashion. In 2017, he established Oneculture—a streetwear brand echoing cultural diversity and travel. Its maiden collection was inspired by Manila’s artisanal art and the richness of its traditions.

A year after launching Oneculture, he renamed it Blue Marble. “I decided to re-brand as I did not feel the name ‘Oneculture’ was right for where I was heading anymore,” he says. “Blue Marble is the name that was given to the first picture taken of the Earth in its entirety in 1972. I want to celebrate the mosaic of cultures that shape the earth,” he adds. The brand’s aesthetic is a mixture of streetwear, high fashion, sportswear and tailored elements that offer a complete ensemble for the contemporary man. Its first collection for s/s2020, inspired by the city of Athens, was Alvarez’s first break as a fashion designer, “That’s when I realised something special was beginning,” he shares. “Athens is one of my favourite cities to travel to. There is a huge cultural surge amongst young people in Athens. The youth is so inspiring to me. I had this idea of the youth taking over the Greek palaces and dressing up for it,” he says.

His journey in the fashion industry has given him gratifying experiences. “I want to connect people through my clothing and share the importance of valorising a mosaic of cultures. I also want to let people travel through my collections.” Currently, Alvarez is finalising his s/s2021 collection and continues to build his dream and the voyage of Blue Marble in the world.

 

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Photography  

Edward Lane

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