We’re looking forward to introducing you to Mark E. Menzie. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Mark E., thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me right now is a blend of creativity, discipline, and intentionally restructuring my life in this wild world we live in. I start my mornings by spending quiet time with God, tidying my home, having breakfast, and setting my priorities for the day.
Most afternoons are dedicated to my craft — sewing, developing new designs for my collection, researching trends, or finding inspiration for upcoming photo shoots. I love spending time finalizing the details — silhouettes, textures, and color stories because that’s where the heart of my work truly lives.
I’m also in a season of personal growth, so part of my day is focused on career development: strengthening my portfolio, applying for new roles, and connecting with people in the fashion industry who truly inspire me.
Evenings are my time to reset. I unwind by cooking dinner for my family, reflecting on the day, and preparing for tomorrow. My routine is simple, but it helps to keep me grounded, creative, and aligned with the future that I’m building.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mark E. Menzie, and I’m a fashion designer, stylist, and educator based in Newark, New Jersey. I’m the founder of Menzie by Design, a Millennial and Gen Z brand inspired by imagination, nostalgia, and the confidence that comes from self-expression.
My work blends fashion, storytelling, and empowerment. I grew up being captivated by brands like American Girl and Barbie. I often found myself being captivated by worlds where creativity and individuality were celebrated and that spirit still shapes everything that I create today – especially for tween girls. Whether I’m designing custom dresses, preparing lookbooks, styling clients, or teaching the next generation of designers, my mission is always the same : to make people feel seen, inspired, and confident in who they are.
Right now, I’m working on expanding my brand, building new collaborations, and developing programs that introduce young creatives to fashion design. My journey has had its challenges, but each chapter has pushed me to step deeper into my purpose, all while creating fashion that tells a story and opens doors for others that look like me.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of me that needs to be released is the version of myself that kept shrinking in order to survive — the one who played small because in his mind others were just too big to compete with. Putting others first at the expense of my own dreams, and carrying the weight of everyone else’s expectations. That part of me helped me navigate difficult seasons and taught me resilience, but it can’t come with me into the future that I’m currently in the process of building.
I’m letting go of the mindset that I have to struggle, overwork, or prove my worth in order to be deserving of what others give or receive so freely. I’m releasing the fear of being “too much” — too creative, too ambitious, too different. That version of me served its purpose, but I’m stepping into a chapter where I trust my voice, honor my GOD given gifts, and allow myself to take up space in the rooms that I’m in.
This next era that I’m stepping into requires confidence, clarity, and courage — and I’m ready for it!
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of not being enough — not successful enough, not talented enough, not “the right fit” for the rooms that I have I been dreaming of entering. Growing up, I learned how to adapt quickly, how to accommodate others, how to make myself small to avoid being rejected by others. And even as I further developed my creativity and started to walk in my purpose, that fear lingered quietly in the background.
It made me hesitate. It made me second-guess opportunities that were meant for me. It made me work twice as hard just to feel worthy or seen. But the truth I’m learning now is that talent isn’t the question — belief is. The only thing that ever stood between where I am and where I want to be was the fear of showing up as my whole self!
I’ve finally released those limiting beliefs. I’m learning to trust my eye as a creative, trust the journey, and believe that there’s room for me — not who I think I am, but who I really one.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to building a world where young creatives — especially young people of color can see themselves reflected in the fashion industry. That’s both my brand, Menzie by Design, and my broader mission.
I believe that representation matters because seeing yourself positively represented in a magazine, a fashion show, or any creative space sparks confidence in others. It also fuels imagination, and possibility. I’m committed to creating collections, educational programs, and experiences that empower the next generation to dream boldly, explore their creativity, and know that their ideas and aesthetics are worth pursuing.
No matter how long it takes, I’m devoted to making fashion a space where legacy, culture, and self-expression coexist and where young people feel inspired to step into their power.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was someone who turned imagination into something real — that took the dreams I had as a kid and built a world out of them. I want to be remembered as a Black fashion designer who created with intention, and honored girlhood, Someone who celebrated beauty in all its forms, and who never stopped believing in life’s possibility.
But more than the clothes or the collections, I hope the story people tell is that I made others feel seen. That I inspired young creatives to trust their own voice. That I opened doors, shared knowledge, and lifted others as I climbed to the top!
If my legacy can serve as a reminder that you can come from anywhere, love what you love unapologetically, and still build something meaningful — then that’s the story worth leaving behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.markemenzie.net
- Instagram: @markemenzie
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmenzie
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
