For Marrisa Wilson, fashion is more than fabric and thread; it’s rhythm, research, and cultural reclamation.
The first-generation American-Guyanese designer, now based in Los Angeles, has emerged as a rising voice in American fashion by seamlessly blending art, music, and heritage. As founder of her eponymous label, Marrisa Wilson New York, she’s made waves with custom hand-painted prints, thoughtful storytelling, and a commitment to cultural authenticity.
“I think I’m an artist at heart,” Wilson said. “Fashion is just the medium I’ve chosen to explore who I am, where I come from, and how I relate to the world.”
Born and raised in New Jersey to Guyanese parents, Wilson studied fashion design with a double minor in merchandising and product development at Marist College. She also studied in Paris. She sharpened her skills through internships and early-career roles at mass market and luxury labels — from Target’s private label division to Oscar de la Renta, J Mendel, and Rag & Bone. Over time, she began carving her path, launching her brand in 2016 and gaining industry recognition by 2021.
“I’ve always felt like I lived between worlds,” Wilson said, describing her multicultural upbringing surrounded by Caribbean relatives while growing up in a predominantly white town. “That duality shows up in my work — balancing structure with fluidity, commercial appeal with personal expression.”
Her design process is rooted in storytelling. Each collection begins with a carefully curated playlist. “Music is central to my creativity,” she said. “When I hear the sound, I can start to see the collection.”
Wilson’s work incorporates tactile processes, hand-painted artwork, mixed media experimentation, and thoughtful textile development. She explores printing techniques on signature fabrics like jacquard and nylon, transforming original artworks into wearable narratives.
In 2023, she earned the Fashion Group International’s Rising Star Award for ready-to-wear. She debuted a runway collection at New York Fashion Week inspired by Black dance icon Katherine Dunham. Legendary model Pat Cleveland closed the show.
“Katherine Dunham’s story was one I hadn’t encountered in dance school,” Wilson said. “My collections have become a way to research and reclaim my heritage — I treat each one like a thesis.”
Now based in Venice, California, Wilson operates a studio where she works one-on-one with clients, diving deep into their style and using conversation as design inspiration. The experience has reshaped how she views fashion.
“It’s less about buying a dress and more about curating an experience,” she said. “What if the garment is part of a larger cultural moment — a concert, a performance, a narrative?”
This summer, Wilson will be creative director for a live jazz show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) featuring Jamaican-American vocalist Syndee Winters. The performance, set for July 25, will pay tribute to Lena Horne through a Caribbean American lens, complete with custom wardrobe, curated visuals, and commemorative merchandise.
Wilson sees this project as part of a larger mission: redefining representation in fashion and the arts.
“It’s not just about showing up as a Black or Caribbean designer,” she said. “It’s about using our unique lived experiences to inform the work and inspire culture in meaningful ways.”
Wilson is building a legacy rooted in multiculturalism and intentional design through her collections, collaborations, and community engagement. She hopes her work encourages others — especially Caribbean creatives — to embrace their full identities.
“We live in a complex age, and multiculturalism is one of our greatest tools,” she said. “I want my work to reflect that complexity — to show that beauty and depth can coexist, and that culture isn’t something to overcome, but to celebrate.”
