By Senay GOKCEN | CEO, Editor-in-Chief
In this edition of Fashion Trendsetter’s Industry Q&A-a series spotlighting visionaries in fashion, interior design, and textiles-, today we welcome Jonathan Marc Stein, Founder & Creative Director, JONATHAN MARC STEIN ATELIER.
Jonathan Marc STEIN, Founder & Creative Director, JONATHAN MARC STEIN ATELIER
We’re pleased to welcome visionary designer Jonathan Marc Stein, Founder & Creative Director of JONATHAN MARC STEIN ATELIER, whose journey from mechanical engineering to high fashion has captivated audiences worldwide, to Fashion Trendsetter. From dressing celebrities on the red carpet to launching his diffusion line, JMS by Jonathan Marc Stein, his work masterfully blends technical precision with artistic innovation. Coincidentally, our editorial team includes two mechanical engineers who, during their travels, have a talent for capturing striking lifestyle and store-window photography, so we especially appreciate how Jonathan Marc Stein’s technical background shapes his creative approach.
INDUSTRY Q&A with Jonathan Marc STEIN, Founder & Creative Director, JONATHAN MARC STEIN ATELIER
Senay Gokcen: Dear Jonathan Marc Stein, it’s a pleasure and honor to welcome you at Fashion Trendsetter. Let’s explore how it all began. In your recent correspondence, you’ve said that after seeing a late 1990’s Alexander McQueen runway show was a turning point for you. What was it about that collection that convinced you to leave mechanical engineering behind?
Jonathan Marc Stein: Whenever I started thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was always something creative. I switched from artist, to architect, to inventing technology, and more. Engineering gave me a chance to create while also challenging myself mentally. When I was waiting for one of my classes to begin and I came across that runway video, it sparked something new in me. Not only were the clothes both aesthetically pleasing and beautiful, but the structure and way they were created intrigued me so much! Clothing not only became a wearable art form to me, but it also allows us to be whoever we want to be and can help anyone with their own confidence.
With a family history of seamstresses, tailors, and luxury department store designers, did you always feel a pull toward fashion, or did that influence hit you later?
Before I saw that runway video, I had zero interest in the fashion industry and had no style or taste at all. It was not until maybe two years after I started my journey that I even discovered I had designers and tailors in my own family. It made me feel that this is actually where I am meant to be in life but it was my own choice and decision to take this path.
Since launching your brand in 2017, you’ve dressed everyone from Mackenzie Ziegler to Harvey Guillén. How did those early celebrity placements influence the way you built your reputation?
Breaking into the fashion/Hollywood industry is not an easy thing to do. There are so many other talents all following the same direction as you. One thing I came to learn is that networking and building relationships is one of the most important tasks that you can do in this line of work as everyone really knows everyone. By proving your talent and showing respect towards your peers makes others see that you are easy to work with and that you always meet your deadlines. I am very proud to say that we have surpassed 200 celebrities that the brand has worked with since our inception.
Your engineering background clearly feeds into your precision tailoring. Can you share an example where that technical training directly shaped a design’s structure or functionality?
Contrary to what many may understand about fashion design, how a garment is realized is second to how it looks. One can design anything on paper, but how it wraps and stands on the human body without falling off is incredibly important. There is quite a lot of math that goes into ensuring every piece fits together. By creating a layer of lining, one of structure (i.e. a boned corset), and the shell, it comes into one finished piece with so many hidden features that no one can even see. Just like with building a home. An architect designs a beautiful shell at the surface level while the engineer makes sure that the building will stand for an eternity.
“Whether I work on one line or the other, I keep the details true to my own core being as I want anyone who dreams of a piece by JONATHAN MARC STEIN Atelier to feel as though no matter which garment or accessory they buy is a piece of me.”
— Jonathan Marc Stein
For someone who’s never seen your work, how would you describe the Jonathan Marc Stein aesthetic?
The JMS aesthetic has always been one to be described as edgy, modern, and bold. I have always been inspired to create designs that blend traditional silhouettes with new and modern techniques.
As you described the JMS aesthetic as ‘edgy, modern, and bold’; how do you interpret those qualities in your own words?
To me, “bold” isn’t about being loud, it’s about having presence. My designs are structured to command attention without having to compete for it. “Modern” speaks to the architectural precision and relevance I aim for pieces that reflect the world we live in now. And “timeless” is about restraint: creating something so well-balanced in proportion and craftsmanship that it feels current decades from now.
Your inspirations often come from your surroundings, yet you reinterpret them rather than replicate them. You’ve even created pieces influenced by real-time events. Can you share an example where this approach is most clearly reflected in your work?
I do often draw from my surroundings for my initial inspiration. However, I never mimic but merely use the imagery and reimagine/interpret it in my own way. The only piece that I have ever actually utilized real-time cultural events was the custom suit, hat, belt, and bag I made completely out of actual newspapers for a big client of mine. I cycled through an assortment of over 500 newspapers to capture relevant articles during COVID. They reflect on politics, human welfare, and more!
When a client brings you only a vague idea, how do you bridge the gap between their words and a finished garment?
Most clients (like myself) are visual. After I create a sketch for the required piece, many conversations are required to evolve and change the garment into something that is both physically possible and aesthetically pleasing. Say they want something specific to happen or be present on the article of clothing, then I may have to nudge them in a direction that makes realization possible and pleases both the client and myself.
You’ve recreated pieces from past collections for clients. Have you ever refused to remake a design because it wouldn’t feel authentic to do so?
For the right client, I will always recreate a piece, but there are limitations. If it is a one-of-a-kind custom garment I made for a client, I will never recreate it as I interpreted the vision solely for them. If the piece is from one of my collections and is not a couture garment, I will gladly make multiple as these are meant to be enjoyed by many, not just one individual. However, if a client requests that I recreate a piece from another designer (or reinterpret that designer’s garments) then that is something that I consistently refuse to do.
“Clothing should feel like wearable art – bold, intentional, and crafted to elevate the person who wears it.”
— Jonathan Marc Stein
From couture to the more accessible JMS diffusion line, your work spans different audiences. How do you keep your core identity consistent across both?
While I design for my own pleasure, at the end of the day I am still running a business. With the diffusion line, JMS, I often have to make small sacrifices to reduce the cost of the piece, allowing me to appeal to a wider audience. With my more luxurious main line, I design for both myself and my clientele in mind and can take more time fine tuning the details that appeal to me and everyone around me. Whether I work on one line or the other, I keep the details true to my own core being as I want anyone who dreams of a piece by JONATHAN MARC STEIN Atelier to feel as though no matter which garment or accessory they buy is a piece of me.
JMS incorporates sustainable practices like repurposing leather scraps and using ethically sourced materials. What’s been your biggest win in making sustainability work in luxury fashion without compromising quality?
Sustainability often limits the materials that I source but no matter what I choose I always gravitate towards providing consumers and fashionistas with quality first. Acquiring ethically-sourced leather and deadstock fabric and materials have been the best and most useful practices in supplying quality products that are also luxurious. You’re able to create amazing pieces that are both high-end and limit the destruction on our planet.
You’ve dressed an incredibly diverse roster of celebrities. Which collaboration surprised you the most in terms of the final outcome?
Working with some incredible talent has been life-changing for me. I never thought that I would get to a point in my life where I have a roster of over 200 celebrities that I have managed to collaborate with! My first ever celebrity placement was definitely the one that surprised me the most. I dressed Laura Marano, a Disney star, for the 2018 HBO Emmy After Party. This was definitely a surprise as I had no idea that I had even dressed her until I went online to see if there was anything mentioning me! I had later found out that her team pulled the sequin dress while I was out of town and this placement ended up being the catalyst that brought me to where I am in my career today!
Looking back at your first NYFW show, what feels most different about your process now?
My first show at NYFW was definitely one to remember as I realized how much actual work, preparation, and mental anguish went into creating a collection and showing worldwide at fashion weeks. Since then, I have learned better time management and allowed a much longer period of time to begin production on the garments. I ensured that my later collections showed more expertise, detail, and love sewn into each and every piece that could be conveyed onto the audience.
You’ve been called “the Tesla of modern design.” If your brand were a piece of cutting-edge tech, what features would set it apart from the rest of the market?
Whenever I create a piece for a client, I always aim for perfect customer service and I will not stop or settle until they are satisfied and walk out of my studio feeling beautiful and badass no matter their background, size, shape, or ethnicity. Unfortunately, this is not the norm in the industry and I aim to improve and change this for the better.
If you had to sum up the philosophy behind your brand in one sentence, what would it be?
My brand is built on the idea that clothing should feel like wearable art – bold, intentional, and crafted to elevate the person who wears it.
A heartfelt thanks to Jonathan Marc Stein for taking the time to share his thoughtful perspective with us. His reflections on creativity, craftsmanship, and the deeper intent behind his work are both inspiring and impactful. We’re honored to highlight his vision in this conversation.
Stay tuned for more exclusive interviews with the trailblazers shaping the future of fashion, interior design, and textiles in 2026.
— Senay GOKCEN | CEO, Editor-in-Chief, Fashion Trendsetter
JONATHAN MARC STEIN ATELIER
www.jonathanmarcstein.com | @jonathanmarcstein
Jonathan Marc Stein Atelier is a luxury fashion brand defined by bold, timeless design. Founded by the Ohio-born designer, the label blends modern edginess with elegant glamour, drawing inspiration from real-time events, architecture, and storytelling. Since launching his first collection in 2017, Jonathan’s work has appeared on international Fashion Week runways and been worn by leading stars at premieres and award shows including the Oscars and the Emmys. His background in mechanical engineering, paired with a family history of seamstresses and tailors, fuels a forward-thinking approach often described as the future of modern design. The brand is celebrated for innovative, multifaceted pieces that reflect the individuality of each wearer.
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All images courtesy of the designer, Jonathan Marc Stein.
Tags: Accessories, apparel, article, artisanal, bags, clothing, collection, craftsmanship, design, design studio, designer spotlight, edible leather, engineering, fashion, fashion design, fashion designers, fashion industry, industry, interview, Jonathan Marc Stein, JONATHAN MARC STEIN ATELIER, leather bags, mechanical engineers, QandA, Senay GOKCEN, style, Top, United States, womenswear
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