At 22 years old, Marland Backus is far from the
typical new model. Born and bred in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Backus
balances turns on the runway for labels like Gucci and Céline with a
burgeoning career as an industrial designer.
Creating edgy handbags, housewares, and apparel in her off time, the New Yorker lives and breathes design. Find out how the recent Pratt grad made her way from campus to the catwalk.
How did you first get started modeling?
I was scouted a couple times when I was younger. Because I grew up in New York, I was able to do a couple of jobs here and there during high school. I kept saying no to agencies because I was focused on school and wanted to devote my energy to that. Then last summer, my sister and I went to London and randomly wound up in an Airbnb apartment filled with male models. One of them said, “You have got to come into my agency.” The next day I went in, and they handed me a contract—I was like, “OK, fine. I’ll give it a try.”
Do you feel starting your career later in life has been an advantage?
I’m so happy I waited. I know myself so much better. I know that if I started earlier, I would not be able to handle the rejection, the pressure. I’m at a point in my life now where I feel comfortable and confident with myself. Having this job makes me feel more confident instead of less. Even the rejection helps me be proud of who I am and resist the urge to conform. It is much harder when you’re younger to stay levelheaded and not take those things personally.
Creating edgy handbags, housewares, and apparel in her off time, the New Yorker lives and breathes design. Find out how the recent Pratt grad made her way from campus to the catwalk.
How did you first get started modeling?
I was scouted a couple times when I was younger. Because I grew up in New York, I was able to do a couple of jobs here and there during high school. I kept saying no to agencies because I was focused on school and wanted to devote my energy to that. Then last summer, my sister and I went to London and randomly wound up in an Airbnb apartment filled with male models. One of them said, “You have got to come into my agency.” The next day I went in, and they handed me a contract—I was like, “OK, fine. I’ll give it a try.”
Do you feel starting your career later in life has been an advantage?
I’m so happy I waited. I know myself so much better. I know that if I started earlier, I would not be able to handle the rejection, the pressure. I’m at a point in my life now where I feel comfortable and confident with myself. Having this job makes me feel more confident instead of less. Even the rejection helps me be proud of who I am and resist the urge to conform. It is much harder when you’re younger to stay levelheaded and not take those things personally.
My very first show ever was the Gucci menswear show. Because I was one of only four girls in the show, it was very special. To be a part of that whole movement, and the androgyny was very cool, plus going to Italy for the very first time. It is great to be working with Alessandro and his team as I love what they’re doing.
What made you choose industrial design as your focus in school?
I originally went to Pratt for graphic design, but after one semester I realized that I just wanted to work with my hands. I had to take one class on 3-D where we did sculpture, and I realized that I don’t want to be in front of a computer all day, I want to be using my hands making stuff. I’ve always liked making things, so it seemed like a natural progression.
What kind of items do you prefer to make?
Industrial design is centered more on practical items, but not everything I make is practical. There are many things that are more about aesthetics. I do some furniture—side tables and stools, they’re more like a sculpture. I also do a lot of jewelry and accessory design. I get so inspired just being around designers and getting to see the process that something goes through when it is being made. Whenever I’m on set, I’m always chatting up the bag designer or the jewelry designers because it is so interesting to hear how they get inspiration and how it works behind the scenes.
A lot of my close friends are actually in fashion design at Pratt. I think what they do is really amazing because they have no limits. They’re in this time where they don’t have to worry about the constraints of selling items, so they can be as experimental as they want. You really get some insane things—obviously you get some crazy things on the runway, as well, but a commercial designer would have to think about the buyers, the market, all these other things have to be considered. It is interesting to see what gets created when those concerns aren’t a factor. That’s when you get this uninhibited design.
Culled from Style.
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