Bright Steps From Bronx to Big City

Markisha Marie Williams grew up in East Tremont, dreaming of shoes that sparkle. Now, at 34, she runs a brand called M. Marie that has caught the eye of New York’s style crowd and even celebrities. Her new line, “Diamonds are Forever, ” drops in March. Williams says she always knew shoes were her calling, and the confidence from growing up in the Bronx pushed her forward. She wears bold styles—animal prints, mixed patterns, and even “ugly” pieces—so people notice her. Her shoes feature a bright orange metallic insole that marks them as hers. Getting the brand off the ground was hard. Funding, manufacturing and sales were all obstacles in an industry where Black designers are only about 5 % of the market. She worked as a stylist, bank teller and sous chef while searching for a manufacturer for nine years. In 2018 she finally teamed up with an Italian company, but sales were slow at first. Five months passed without a sale, yet she didn’t give up. Soon enough, shoes like “FU Pay Me” and “Reverse Cowgirl” sold out.She handled deliveries herself, using Zelle and Cash App for payments. A pop‑up shop called “A Girl from the Bronx” in July 2021 made waves. The “Tulum” heel, with crystal‑studded straps and feather accents, became a hit. She even had customers fly in from other states. One challenge came when another brand copied a design she posted on Instagram. Williams shared her creative process to inspire, but the big brand released a nearly identical shoe soon after. She called them out on Instagram and got support from fashion accounts like Diet Prada. The incident forced her to hire PR help to manage media and social media. She says it was both a blessing and a curse. Williams feels the weight of being a Black woman in business. Funding is difficult when people doubt her success, yet she has strong community support from the Bronx. Her story shows that hard work and staying true to herself can turn a childhood dream into reality. She wakes up every day excited to create and share her shoes.