I Love A Success Story - Mark Bryan

 Mark Bryan isn't just the guy in heels and skirts

Fashion Tue Apr 5 2022 by Orion Scott

Mark Bryan

With a list of accolades that include being a father, engineer and football coach, Mark Bryan has quickly added model and influencer to his already impressive line-up. Known better as the straight man who wears skirts and heels, Mark Bryan has risen to fashion fame over the last year, landing himself exclusive photoshoots in Interview Magazine, CR Fashion Book and Harper’s Bazaar. Remix caught up with the sky-high heel wearing icon to discuss how wearing skirts and heels came about, his style inspiration and what people’s general reactions were to him changing his dress code. 

It’s so nice to meet you, how have you been?

Hello! You too. You know, I'm still working a full-time job as an engineer so that takes up 45 hours of my week. And then the modelling and influencing are kind of like a part-time job. My boss calls it a hobby, but I'm making a little bit of money out of it but not enough where I could quit my other job and do it full time. 

You've been getting some crazy opportunities through your modelling/ influencing and you've kind of blown up!

It's honestly just mind-blowing! A year and a half ago I probably only had 200 followers on my Instagram account and now it’s at 635k so it’s really incredible. 

Who is your style inspiration?

It would have to of course be the one and only Carrie Bradshaw. I've worn some skirts like what she wears some in the show for photoshoots, the giant flowing ones which are probably not very practical for everyday life but make you feel special in the moment. She definitely inspires me and I try to mix it in with what I call my own hybrid style which is a little bit of masculine clothing mixed with the more feminine. 

What prompted you to first start wearing heels and skirts? 

The first time I wore heels was back when I was in college, which was like 40 years ago now. My girlfriend at the time said " Hey, you need to wear high heels" because she was taller than me when she wore high heels. So, for us to be the same height, she suggested I wear a pair of her shoes, and we were the same size, and that was basically my introduction to wearing heels. I was probably only 20 or 21 years old and then about six years ago I saw a woman wearing a pair of Louboutin pumps and I could just see the confidence they gave her and it reminded me of my time in heels way back in college so I figured I’d try it again. My wife and I actually had a Halloween party a few days later where she suggested I wear some heels and a skirt and put on a wig and all that and I got so many compliments that I thought why don't I do this full time? Luckily I am a natural when it comes to walking in heels!

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How would you describe your style in three words?

I can do it in one! Hybrid.