He Creates his Namesake Label – MARQUES

 John Marques, MSc in Luxury Management Alumnus 2016.

This dynamic Portuguese entrepreneur has just launched his fashion label, MARQUES.

What have you done since you graduated from IUM?

After IUM, I moved to Dubai to complete my internship at W Motors. That is where I ended up working for several years heading the marketing department. 

At the same time my social media was picking up in the region, so decided to leave this position and embrace a new challenge with digital and social media marketing, leading me to work with well-known names such as Rolls Royce and Franck Muller, and even be nominated as one of the top 10 most promising content creators in the region by Esquire Middle East Magazine. 

Spending a few years in this field, decided it was finally time to pursue an old plan and create my namesake label – MARQUES – Which released its first collection on December 1st, 2020 after more than a year of work behind-the-scenes.

In your opinion, what was the best part of studying at IUM?

There are two elements that stand out when it comes to my IUM experience, one is how most teachers have a professional background and that experience in their fields is a valuable asset to us as students. Secondly is the strong network one creates while living in Monaco, both with locals and other students from many countries and diverse backgrounds.

Would you say that your studies at IUM help you in your different positions? If yes, how?

Absolutely, my degree at IUM gave me the necessary tools to start a profession and feel capable to accomplish my goals. Particularly when managing independent projects for luxury brands on social media, and while developing my own label lost track of how many times I looked back on my notes and applied what I have learned to real-life challenges: from branding to distribution and everything in between.

You’re now about to launch your own company, where does your entrepreneurial spirit derive from?

I always had an entrepreneurial spirit, runs in the family, and it was even the key element on my application to IUM back in the day. It was great to start my career working with a 3rd party for the hands-on experience, but the goal was always to start my own projects. From the digital marketing consulting and influencer jobs to the newly launched fashion brand MARQUES.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would say to not be afraid and go after your main goals as soon as you can. Even if you feel like you are not ready, no one truly is – so just go for it!

Favorite memory about IUM?

Even though there were many memories throughout the period spent at IUM worth remembering, have to say the graduation ceremony at Grimaldi Forum was a very special moment that I can still remember like it was today.