I remember the first time I stumbled upon Brandon Marsh’s Instagram. It felt like discovering Alex Consani all over again, and I immediately hit follow. From that moment, my feed seemed to know exactly what to do, serving up more photos and videos of Marsh striding confidently down the Fashion Art Toronto runway. There was a magnetism to him I couldn’t ignore, and when the idea of interviewing him came up, I was beyond excited.
Like many creatives, Marsh’s story is shaped by movement, self-discovery, and an unrelenting search for belonging. “I was a military child growing up,” he explains, speaking to me from his Toronto apartment. “I feel like that played a role in shaping me because I moved around the country my whole life. I never really had a clear calling for what I wanted to do.” On the surface, it might have seemed like uncertainty, but that constant motion quietly prepared him for a life that thrives on change, exploration, and the unexpected.
Marsh’s introduction to modeling was almost accidental. One weekday, armed with only a camera and a friend, he wandered into a nearby park to take simple shots showcasing his heart-of-bone rings. The photos were casual, almost throwaway, but within weeks, they landed on a website alongside Billie Eilish, marking his first magazine feature. “It was kind of surreal,” he says. “I didn’t plan any of it. I just wanted to make something cool with my friend. And then suddenly, there it was.” What began as a playful, unplanned moment became the foundation for a career he hadn’t fully imagined yet.
His path gained momentum with Fashion Art Toronto. “I nervously submitted my application and was selected to walk for two designers,” Marsh recalls. “The moment I stepped through that door, my life changed. I was starstruck, and I knew this was my community. This is where I needed to be.” The energy of the runway, the camaraderie among models, and the creativity surrounding him became a sanctuary and a source of purpose, particularly for someone coming from a small town and navigating the challenges of accepting his sexuality.
“Being the first gay child in a very straight family, fashion became my rebellion,” he says. Toronto’s inclusive fashion scene offered the acceptance and freedom he had longed for. His visibility soon became a quiet form of advocacy. “People would text me—sometimes straight hockey dudes—saying, ‘Thank you for being who you are. You make me feel more comfortable doing things I would’ve been made fun of for.’ That’s wild to me, but it feels really good.”
Authenticity has always been at the core of Marsh’s work. After high school, he took a gap year to explore his creative ambitions before discovering Seneca’s Fashion Arts Program. “I knew Toronto was where I belonged, and studying fashion was my ticket in,” he says. What began as uncertainty soon became affirmation: Marsh was selected as one of just seven top models for Fashion Art Toronto, a pivotal moment that signaled his arrival within the city’s fashion ecosystem.
Today, he has walked in over fifteen runway shows, appeared in multiple magazines, and is preparing his graduate collection—a project that reflects both technical skill and personal storytelling.
The road hasn’t been without obstacles. “I really flopped first year,” he admits with a laugh. “I almost failed. I was on academic probation. If I didn’t pull myself together, I couldn’t continue. That snapped me into character.” Each challenge, he explains, felt like preparation for the next moment—especially his grad collection. Even over Zoom, the collection is striking. “I did all of these by hand because I didn’t have a machine,” he says, showing a deconstructed blazer piece. “Next semester, I will move into tailoring, which is apparently the hardest. It’s a lot of handwork. I’m really close with my teachers, so I try to learn as much as I can.”
Marsh’s social media presence often precedes him, but reality rarely matches perception. “People have an image of me online, but when they meet me, I’m just down-to-earth,” he says. His visual identity, edgy, contemporary, and unmistakably his own, reflects both his personality and his craft. Designers recognize this, and it continues to shape the opportunities he receives.
Even amidst the chaos of fashion—the late nights, photoshoots, and endless events—Marsh has found ways to stay grounded. “Friends help me stop focusing on social media,” he explains. “I’m go, go, go—shoots, deadlines, events—but downtime with close friends keeps me sane. Tonight, for example, I’m watching Project Runway with designers downtown.”
The Toronto fashion scene, for all its creativity and sense of community, is still finding its footing. Marsh acknowledges that Fashion Art Toronto has historically relied on a volunteer-driven structure, a reality that shaped many early experiences for emerging models. But more than anything, he emphasizes the strength of the city’s close-knit fashion community. “There’s space to experiment here,” he adds. “People genuinely want to see each other succeed. That kind of support is inspiring.”
For Marsh, it has never been about instant fame. “I started for fun, shooting photos with friends just to showcase rings. Get involved with the community, apply for shows, meet people, do shoots—just be in those spaces. One door always opens another.” His journey reflects a balance of persistence, creativity, and the freedom to craft his own narrative.
Preparation, experimentation, and networking are key to Marsh’s approach. “Networking is huge, and doing shoots helps you find your style,” he says. “Freelance lets me create my own story. You don’t get that as an agency model.” His advice extends beyond modeling: taking the first step, regardless of where you start, can change the trajectory of your life.
Brandon’s graduate collection stands as the culmination of years spent exploring identity, honing craft, and learning to trust instinct. Each piece carries more than technical precision; it holds a sense of self, intention, and storytelling that feels deeply personal. “I want to tell a story and stay true to myself,” he says. Through hand-sewn details, deconstructed forms, and playful reinterpretations of classic silhouettes, the collection offers a glimpse into the designer he is becoming.
Looking ahead, Marsh is focused on movement rather than milestones, choosing growth over convention. “I want to do shoots, collaborate, meet people, just be in those creative spaces. One door always opens another,” he reiterates. His journey is not about shortcuts or spectacle, but about presence, community, and purpose. A storyteller, a visionary, and an advocate for authenticity, Brandon Marsh represents a generation of creatives carving space for themselves on their own terms.
For anyone watching his path unfold, one thing is undeniable: he is only just getting started.
Featured Images: Courtesy of Brandon Marsh
