“And she loves to show me off, of course
Smiles every time my face is up in The Source“
I finally know how B.I.G felt.
I am really proud of this huge mention in the Source. I had no idea it was going to be a double page feature. I am humbled by this and I want to thank Kim Osorio and the Source for the love.
The issue is on stands now with Wiz Khalifa and his crew.
The Source asked me to mention some of my favorite things at the moment. Pick up the issue to find out more.
From GQ :“Montreal’s favorite menswear blogger was the best dressed dude in Aspen yesterday, gloves down.”
I sat down with the Fashion Spot a few weeks ago. See the full interview here.
Some people sit and wait for their dreams to become reality, while others get up and make it happen. Marcus Troy is an example of how far vision, creativity, and perseverance can take you. I met Marcus Troy years ago before he became the sought-after lifestyle, fashion, and “cultural participant” global brands want to work with. Still, he’s the same guy from Montreal; the only difference is his brand has reached and impacted readers all over the world. Lucky for me, he still makes time to host our BHD gifting suite.
Converse, Levis, Sebago, DC Shoes, Timberland, and The Project Tradeshow are just a few of the brands who’ve commissioned Marcus for his expertise in creating digital experiences. And if that’s not enough, the The New York Times has recognized him as one of five fashion bloggers impacting the fashion world online. No big deal, as he says, “Blogging ain’t easy but someone’s gotta do it”.
The Fashion Spot: I know you’re a busy bee and you’re probably getting ready to board a plane soon. Thanks for sitting down with us.
Marcus Troy: I am actually about to pack, I’ve been invited by Bentley to come out to Aspen and then I’m off to SXSW.
tFS: Seems like you’re traveling every other week, I’m sure by now you’ve mastered the art of packing and you have essential things you always travel with. What are 5 items you can’t travel without?
MT: 7D Camera, MacBook Air, iPad, Passport, and credit Card.
tFS: Being Marcus Troy isn’t easy. So for those that don’t know, can you tell them who Marcus Troy is?
MT: Marcus Troy is a cultural participant who creates digital brand experiences through MarcusTroy.com
tFS: What made you want to start blogging?
MT: I started blogging as a means to share what I was into with my peers and friends. I started with an online newsletter that we mailed out every week to a select few individuals who then shared it with their network and everything just worked out organically and virally. That was back in 2004 when I was a co-founder of another site.
tFS: If you had to describe MarcusTroy.com in three words what would they be?
MT: Thoughtful, curated, honest.
tFS: You are now, in a sense, a fashion maverick to many people. You often speak about style being personal, and coming from within. I think a lot of people admire that while you embrace new brands, you are also true to classic brands that appeal to your sense of style, whether or not it has been said to be “cool”. That being said, what is your favourite timeless classic brand, that no matter what stage your life is in, is still reflective of your evolving style?
MT: My favorite timeless brand would have to be Ralph Lauren. He has products that speak to people from all walks of life. He covers all tiers of fashion and lifestyle and you will always be “in style” with Ralph.
tFS: It’s no secret that you get a lot of cool stuff sent to you – often times limited-edition items, or items before they are released. What have you recently added to your closet that you are excited about?
MT: I am excited about my new Lotuff Leather duffle bag. It is simply beautiful and I am looking forward to bringing it on some more trips with me.
tFS: To a lot of people, the life you live looks like fun, but what they don’t know is you also put in a lot of work. What inspires you to keep going?
MT: The people inspire me! My fans inspire me. The people who write in daily to share their opinions, ask for advice, or simply want to share. What has started to inspire me a lot has been bad design, products, and things… It inspires me to want to remix or recreate or even re-imagine those things and make it better.
tFS: What do you want people to remember about Marcus Troy and the experiences you create?
MT: I would like people to think of me as someone who TRIED. I tried to build community, tried to push the boundaries online and through social media, and also someone who always aspired to inspire.
tFS: Last question, before I let you finishing packing. I know you always have tons on the go. What is something you are working on at the moment that you are passionate about?
MT: I’m working on bringing the Mavericks Project book to fruition. The Mavericks project was a collaboration I did with Nike and I am working on turning this engaging project into a book.
Marcustroy.com
thecombined.com
twitter/marcustroy
Photo Credit: Yannick Grandmont
I’m humbled to have been chosen to be among such elite bloggers. Today the New York Times did a little piece on us. Pick it up on newsstand now or you can check the full article online.
Thanks for all the support throughout the years! You guys have been fantastic.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/fashion/straight-talk-a-new-breed-of-fashion-bloggers.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all
If you get a chance pick up the latest issue of Antenna Magazine. I make a few appearances with my brother William Yan!
* I styled myself ha!
A few months ago I had a chance to talk with Apparel News about the Blogger Project. I am excited to be curating the Project again next week at the New York PROJECT show.
Check out the interview below:
Lifestyle blogger Marcus Troy gives California Apparel News the scoop on connecting fashion bloggers to brands.
“Personally, I’ve always had this dream of putting together a trade show for bloggers…. my blogger friends were always wanting to know ‘How do we reach brands?,’ and brands were always wanting to know ‘How do we meet bloggers?,’ so I wanted to connect both of them.”
Instead of creating a trade show for bloggers, Troy brought his idea to the trade show PROJECT, which launched The Blogger PROJECTat their New York and Las Vegas shows this year.
“I decided to start curating this project and do it on the trade show floor for blogger friends, and peers, and people I respect in the blogging and fashion world,” he said. “They liveblog from the show and document what they’re seeing, and it gives brands the opportunity to meet their favorite bloggers.”
The onsite blogging also helps the consumer take part in the show.
“For everyone who doesn’t attend, it gives them a view on what we’re seeing,” he said. “Consumers don’t have access to touch, and see, and feel products like we do, but since they’re able to become voyeurs, they can give feedback on what’s happening currently because the internet has given them that power.”
Troy handpicked the bloggers for the project, which includedWilliam Yan, Por Homme and The Madbury Club, among others. He also worked with PROJECT’s visual director on the décor, and look, and feel of the lounge, which was furnished by the furniture company Strawser & Smith with sleek metal chairs and repurposed leather couches.
In addition to providing content for brands and insight into the show, Troy says the onsite blogging creates a partnership between the bloggers and designers.
“What I’ve noticed, being a blogger myself, is that if you’re face is not well-known, brands might not know who you are, so being at this dedicated space, it just made for a better platform, like, ‘You’re so-and-so from Selectism or Denim Therapy,’” he said. “It was a lot more personal approach.”
Next year, Troy plans on doing The Blogger PROJECT again, this time adding some new bloggers in the mix.
“I want to introduce the world to some new bloggers, which is important,” he said. “It’s a tradeshow about the trade, so why not incorporate all these elements that are part of our trade.”
PROJECT runs Jan. 16, 17, 18 and Feb. 13, 14, 15 in 2012.
For more info on how trade shows are incorporating digital media, see this week’s story: New Media Technologies Put Trade Shows on Path to Innovation.
A couple weeks ago I was in NYC for a Dockers shoot for GQ. I was styled in the new Michael Bastian x Dockers Collection. A few of my other industry friends were also a part of the shoot and you can check it out here.
A few months ago I was interviewed by Night Life Magazine which you can find in print and online. Check it out below.
Born and raised in Montreal, Marcus Troy has taken his enthusiasm for fashion and culture and turned it into a full-time job. Having spent some time working in the industry, he started a blog three years ago as a showcase for his varied interests; this was before the web became saturated with fashion and lifestyle rants. Being a keen student of fashion trends with an entrepreneurial zeal, Troy quickly realized the importance of staying ahead of the curve.
Unlike many bloggers, he was not interested in acting as a news site or a mere aggregator of cultural ephemera. Troy sought to transcend what he saw as the trappings of the conventional blogosphere by producing his own creative content and engaging his readers through various forms of social media. His blog features an assortment of self-produced fashion shoots, videos, reviews, random musings and updates from his near-constant travels to factories, trade shows and other industry events.
“When I first started, it was really fun to go out and hunt for things. I remember sneaking into showrooms and taking snapshots of new sneakers with my cell phone,” said Troy. Eventually, the fashion industry realized that there was an opportunity to be had by engaging with bloggers like Troy who could provide advice about fashion trends and consumer interests.
“Now we get press releases, everything is written specifically for us. If Brand X decides to send something to all the blogs at midnight, it’s really become a race to be the first one to put it online. There is competition. I want to go further and actively collaborate,” he said.
These days, Troy finds himself busier than ever carving out a unique online niche for himself. Having forged relationships with fashion brands worldwide to create everything from custom products to advertising campaigns, he recently unveiled his own smart phone app. Of the experience, he said “I wanted to be the first one out of the gate with an app of my own. In a digital world, it is a new way to connect with my audience.” This creative drive has made Troy an interesting example of a new generation of Montrealers who have harnessed the power of the web to turn their passions into careers.
The Marcus Troy Experience | marcustroy.com
TOP OF THE POPS
Marcus Troy gives us the lowdown on the who, what and where of his top online destinations for interesting cultural insights.
Joshua Kissi & Travis Gumb | streetetiquette.com
A great menswear blog redefining what it means to be young and dapper.
Vincent Tsang | onandbeyond.com
A great lifestyle blog featuring amazing photographs of products, places and things.
William Yan | williamyan.com
New York Street style shots at their finest. William Yan explores the streets of NYC to capture its people and their beautiful style.
Eric Johnson |badtofu.com
A tastefully curated blog about products, places and living. The photography is immaculate and inspirational.
Sean Quincy | goodhabit.tumblr.com
A photography blog by one of New York City’s up and coming artists. Great visuals to digest on a daily basis.
Phillip Annand | madburyclub.com
A great digital space that allows you to digest content differently than at any other place on the web.
THE PERFECT CUT: MARCUS TROY
THE TRENDSPOTTING BLOGGER TALKS ABOUT HIS WIDE-RANGING TRAVELS IN THE WORLD OF STYLE WHILE GETTING A TRIM. THE FIRST IN A NEW VIDEO SERIES FROM DETAILS AND DOWNTOWN NEW YORK’S BLIND BARBER.
This past week I met up with a fellow by the name of Cleon, he came equipped with his camera and caught some really candid photos, conversations and experiences. Check out the spread and the video.
Full story and video here
RECENT COMMENTS