MARK FAST Exclusive: Knitwear as Wearable Sculpture – A Fashion Philosophy Told Through Colour and Texture

Canadian-born designer Mark Fast founded his eponymous label MARK FAST in the UK in 2008. Since then, he has garnered widespread attention in the fashion world for his exceptional knitting techniques and innovative designs. His work blends graffiti art, street style, and subcultural elements, creating bold, youthful, and avant-garde pieces that transform clothing into a form of artistic expression.

MARK FAST opened its first Hong Kong flagship store in Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, in 2021, injecting new energy into the city’s fashion scene. Recently, Mark Fast visited Hong Kong to present a hand-painted 3D installation inspired by the 2024 Year of the Dragon, titled "FACE YOUR FEARS: AWAKEN THE DRAGON" at Harbour City, offering visitors a unique visual experience. MILK X had the opportunity to invite Mark Fast to share his creative inspirations and design philosophy.

Knitwear as My Creative Medium

Q: What first sparked your interest in knitwear?

Mark Fast: MARK FAST is very texture-driven. Most of my art takes the form of collage. Knitwear combines everything – you can use yarns with feather-like effects while also incorporating graffiti paint. This approach allows me to integrate my love for art, and I’m deeply fascinated by the intricate complexity of knitting.

Q: How do you balance precision in knitting techniques with artistic expression, to create knitwear that is both wearable and eye-catching?

Mark Fast: I’m very interested in development and experimentation. Ever since university, I’ve been pushing the boundaries of knitwear – using elastic yarns to create pieces that hug the body’s curves, and applying mesh materials to garments. It’s challenging because it involves mass production. You might have a great idea, but the practical execution takes a long time. I’m always looking for the right manufacturers to help commercialise these techniques.

Nomadic Aesthetics and Urban Pulse

Speaking of the connection between nature and design inspiration, Mark Fast once took inspiration from the unique desert landscape for the MARK FAST SS24 collection "DAWN TO DUSK."

He revealed: "I drew a lot of inspiration from the film 'The Bad Batch' starring Suki Waterhouse. It made me think of bleached denim – like objects after stone-washing in the desert, their colours gradually fading, creating a unique texture. I also used a lot of canvas material in my shoe designs to echo the desert elements in the film."

Graffiti culture has had a profound influence on Mark Fast. In his view, art can be found in the most unexpected corners and streets around the world. He greatly admires graffiti – its beauty is always fleeting, eventually covered by other works. This underground culture deeply fascinates him, which is why he focuses on capturing its character and spirit in his designs.

Artistic Crossovers and New Dimensions in Fashion

When asked about cross-industry collaborations in his career, Mark Fast mentioned notable partnerships with brands such as Christian Louboutin, Swarovski, and Topshop. Among these, his collaboration with Topshop left the deepest impression: "The partnership with Topshop allowed us to appear at London Fashion Week in the same year the brand was founded. It was the Topshop-sponsored NEW GEN catwalk project – a great opportunity for young designers. Working with Swarovski was also fantastic – we received a lot of free crystals for our designs, as well as financial support."

These collaborations have not only expanded the boundaries of MARK FAST’s design but also further cemented the brand’s unique position in the fashion world.

Wearability and the Relationship with Self

Given the wide variety of knitwear, how do you choose the right piece for yourself?

MARK FAST is about "shaping ideas into form." The brand’s designs are driven by an obsessive pursuit of colour, texture, and silhouette – clothing is not just something you wear, but an expression of attitude and self-presentation. Knowing your own body and choosing a silhouette that resonates with your personal character will always outweigh blindly following trends. For everyday styling, a single piece of knitwear with outstanding texture is enough to carry the emotional tone of the entire outfit. This sense of sophistication that emerges from the details is the true dressing philosophy MARK FAST wants to convey.

The MARK FAST Lifestyle

The garments designed by MARK FAST are not just for daily wear – they are an interpretation of a modern lifestyle. Whether navigating the graffiti-covered streets of the city or moving between day and night across deserts and urban landscapes, MARK FAST consistently integrates art, culture, and design into a cohesive whole. Travelling light is important, but what matters more is setting off with your own style and attitude. As MARK FAST believes – dressing is a form of expression, and also a journey of freedom.

At the close of the interview, Mark Fast shared his thoughts on the future of fashion: MARK FAST will continue to treat every garment as wearable sculpture – telling stories through colour, touching the senses with texture. Wherever he goes, he chooses to spend less time worrying about rules and more time creating his own aesthetic. That is the ideal way to travel, and the ideal way to live.

This is the design philosophy of MARK FAST: Travel Light, but never compromise.