Born on August 24, 1989, in Montreal, Quebec, Mark is a Filipino-Canadian who spent half of his life in Vancouver before embarking on a transformative journey to Los Angeles at the age of 14. His move to LA was a stark contrast to the suburban tranquility he was accustomed to in Vancouver. "You couldn’t wear certain colors. I couldn’t wear red to school," Mark recalls, reflecting on the challenges of adapting to the fast-paced and often unpredictable lifestyle of LA. For Mark, Koreatown became his new home, a vibrant and dynamic neighborhood that shaped his early years in LA.

Initially, Mark followed a traditional academic pathway pursuing a career in nursing. However, his creative spirit sparked the need to express himself & fully immerse in the world of creativity while also adding bits & pieces of who he is to his designs. The representation of the “snake” for this collection is a reflection of Mark’s personal story and symbolism to the year of the snake adding value, cultural, & personal significance to the collection “Back to The Moon”. Today, Mark channels his passions through fashion, transformation, reinvention, art, and music, using his platform *As Above* as a means to showcase his unique vision and artistic voice. "As Above is my way of expressing my passions and connecting with others through creativity," Mark shares, embodying the fearless pursuit of his dreams.