acclaimed fashion designer and creative director, animal welfare advocate, activist, film director, artist
Marc Bouwer has achieved worldwide recognition as an acclaimed fashion designer and creative director. He has dressed luminaries such as Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Emily Blunt, Oprah Winfrey, Sydney Sweeney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Issa Rae, Kelsea Ballerini, Jane Fonda, Sigourney Weaver and many more. His designs have graced the covers of numerous magazines and the red carpet at movie premieres and awards shows.
The Marc Bouwer aesthetic is the very definition of timeless elegance, touched by his love of cinema. The look is distinct—lush colors, plunging necklines, and daring up-to-there slits are undeniably sexy, yet kept in check by an appreciation for classic silver-screen glamour.
Recently, Bouwer’s strong ties to L.A.’s glitterati have made him a sought-after spokesperson for the entertainment industry. As a guest stylist and judge on many popular programs including PROJECT RUNWAY and AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, he’s become the go-to personality for advice on style and fashion. Whether making a guest appearance or spending long days designing a new collection, he sums up his professional demeanor in two words: hands on.
He was born in South Africa. Upon winning the South African Vogue Young Designers Award, he moved to New York City and apprenticed with Halston fine tuning his design skills, particularly draping. Bouwer's "cut" and modern use of stretch fabrics, such as jersey and spandex, in evening wear coined the term "bathing suit gown" and gave way to "athletic glamour". Opening house in 1990 with business partner, Paul Margolin, Marc Bouwer Couture has since graced the covers and pages of publications including Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Glamour, and InStyle. Actress Angelina Jolie arrived at the 2004 Academy Awards in a white satin Marc Bouwer gown, later named one of the best Oscar dresses of all time by André Leon Talley.
Bouwer was the first American designer to produce a virtual fashion show in response to economic struggle across the globe and regarding the environment. He was also the first designer to present a virtual 3D fashion show.
Bouwer's awards for avoiding animal products in his fashions include a PETA Humanitarian Award, and The United States Humane Societies “Compassion in Fashion Award”. Marc uses technology in designing, to create cruelty free fashion with high quality faux furs, garnering several PETA sponsorships.