Meet Marjon Carlos | Moda Operandi

ON THE RISE

Meet MARJON

Our muse this month? Writer Marjon Carlos, the Columbia grad and Vogue alumna with a fearless sense of style—and opinions to match.

Marjon Carlos has nearly finished writing her first book. “I’m talking about race and class in America,” she says. “I hope it speaks to the kid who grew up in the suburbs and felt out of place.” It’s an experience she can relate to. In 2001, Carlos left her childhood home in Richardson, Texas, for Brown University, where she majored in gender studies, penned a culture column in the student paper, and made some questionable fashion choices (more on that below). After college, she moved to New York and took retail jobs while trying to figure out how to make it as a fashion journalist—before ultimately deciding to get a Masters in African American studies at Columbia.

From the beginning, Carlos wanted to explore—and comment on—culture through fashion. Slowly, she began to carve a niche for herself, taking writing jobs wherever she could and truffle-hunting for bylines. Her big break came when she was asked to interview Solange, who offered her the Arts Editor position on her platform, Saint Heron. That opened doors to Elle, Jezebel, and eventually Vogue. At the time (around 2015), the website—where Marjon owned the global style beat—was still an emerging channel, and conversations around inclusivity in the fashion industry were just beginning to germinate. “I was given the freedom and opportunity to interview all sorts of people. Back then, the idea of having a plus-sized model or [an open] trans model was crazy.”

Fast forward to today, Carlos is expanding her scope. She’s still a fashion journalist (only now it’s cover stories with the likes of Precious Lee and Cardi B), but she’s also pursuing work in front of the camera. She regularly hosts “Your Favorite Auntie,” a show on IGTV that organically evolved during the pandemic from Carlos’ innate urge to ask questions, listen to answers, and give advice—all with her refreshingly unpretentious, morale-boosting, can’t-help-but-fall-in-love-with-her ease. “Naturally, I’m someone who wants to help. My girlfriends come to me and we’ll talk about an issue, and we’ll talk it all the way out.”

So, what about her fashion choices? “Fashion is powerful,” she says. “It can break you, but it can also make your mood.” Below, she muses on the power of clothes, the designers she loves, and what’s in her cart.

“I look for color, I look for patterns, I look for personality.”

MY STYLE IS… evolving. I like to say I am in my “grown-woman era.” I got a lot curvier recently and I had to learn how to dress for my new shape, so I’m all about statement dresses and strong accessories. I’m not afraid of color or expressive details, like a sleeve or cut, but there is something very polished about it all.

THE DESIGNERS I LOVE… Prada. There’s this grey furry Prada Yeti coat currently in my cart. Grace Wales Bonner is a genius. I love the way she intertwines culture and history. Everything about her clothes is so poetic. It never feels too referential, just a beautiful homage. Jacquemus, A.W.A.K.E. Mode, Bottega Veneta, Christopher Esber, Khaite, Tove…

AFTER THE PANDEMIC… I really had to adult. My body physically changed; I started getting curves and had to learn how to dress for that shape. That’s been a journey, and it’s still a journey. I have to take things in and customize them, tailor them, and find pieces that really flatter my figure. Before, I didn’t realize that not everything is for you. Now I know some things are better for you instead.

I KEEP BUYING… one-and-done dresses because they’re so simple. You throw it on and it works. With pants, it’s a whole process with tailoring—so it’s always about the dress for me and making a statement that way.

only 3 left

Bottega Veneta

Dot Lace-Up Leather Sandals

$1,300

K.ngsley

Race Her Cotton Jersey Tank Top

$180

Carwash-Hem Cotton-Blend Mesh Mini Dress

only 1 left

Bottega Veneta

Carwash-Hem Cotton-Blend Mesh Mini Dress

$1,900