However opinionated, divided and competitive New York’s fashion industry can be, hundreds have rallied together in support of Marcus Teo, who suffered a massive stroke on July 19.
In a sector with 312,000 employees, Teo stands out not just for his experience with leading brands and media outlets, but also for his likability. “In an industry with lots of characters, shall we say, he has risen to a point of being so well-loved because he is such a wonderful person,” said Teo’s close friend Peter Som. “Aside from his taste level, which we all know is impeccable, and the creative vision he has had for different brands and publications, he is a wonderful human being. That’s why ‘Team Marcus,’ as we are calling ourselves, are doing everything we can to make sure that he gets the best care and the best support as possible.”
Now at level one of in-patient rehabilitation in Manhattan, Teo’s friends are paying close attention to the quality of care that he is receiving and they plan to continue to help pay his medical bills. As of Wednesday afternoon, 580 people had contributed to a GoFundMe initiative that had raised nearly $108,000 to help cover his medical expenses. Som, a fashion designer and lifestyle specialist, organized the effort.
Another member of Teo’s inner circle, Jen Pinto recalled how years ago she often heard Teo’s name, while starting her career at Giorgio Armani in her 20s. “He became for me this pillar in the industry, because of his expertise in the creative world at W and even further back at DNR,” she said. “Marcus was always in the front row at every luxury fashion show in Milan, Paris, London and New York obviously. And why? That was because of his taste level and what he does.”
Similarly, Som said he knew of Teo’s name before he even got into fashion or befriended him, due partially to Teo’s Asian heritage at a time when there weren’t many Asian Americans involved in the business. “He is so well-liked, because he really does light up a room, when he walks into it. He has that magic, where he puts everybody at ease. He can always make a party more fun, while also being right there with you.”
Marcus Teo
Photo Courtesy Peter Som
In addition to speaking Cantonese, French, Malay and Mandarin, Teo has an intercontinental career. A graduate of New York University, who also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, Teo started out in public relation at Charivari in 1994. He spent the next 16 years at W magazine as editor and men’s fashion director of its men’s portfolio. Others know Teo as a former contributing editor at Condé Nast Publications, where he worked for 20-plus years until the spring of 2014. Teo also served concurrently as Vogue’s contributing sittings editor for three years.
Marcus Teo
Photo Courtesy Peter Som
For the past 15 years, Teo has been running his own consultancy, Teo Creative, as founder and chief creative officer working with such clients as the Chow Tai Fook Group, Swarovski, JW Marriott’s JWM Magazine, Town & Country and W magazine. During that time, he has also simultaneously held roles with a few of these companies and others too. Starting in spring 2022, Teo acted as chief of brand and marketing for Chow Tai Fook, dividing his time between New York City and Hong Kong. In 2014, he started a two-year run at George Jensen as senior vice president and executive global creative director.
Planning ahead, Team Marcus plans to continue fundraising once the $125,000 goal is met. Pinto said, “We’re all here for him 200 percent every single day, and with no issues doing that. We are like a family to him.”
Som added, “He really is the glue that holds all of us together. He’s a person who we would do anything for without question. In the labyrinth of every aspect that is involved with the care for someone in a hospital, we are all doing our part to make sure that we are facing everything head-on.”