00:00:01
Speaker 1: With Mario Lopez. You are on with Mario and Courtney Lopez and joining me right now from Bravo's Next Gen NYC fashion designer and reality TV star, Brooks Marks. How are you, Brooks?
00:00:14
Speaker 2: Hi, I'm great. Thanks for having me.
00:00:15
Speaker 1: How are you? I'm wonderful. Thank you for being here with me. So season two of Next Gen NYC is wrapping up and the part two reunion special is airing. So for the people who haven't seen the series, what is your storyline exactly?
00:00:29
Speaker 2: I mean, I feel like this season, particularly viewers are seeing me try to take my clothing brand to the next level. I have a really important launch with my brand and there are a lot of stakes on the line. So viewers are getting to watch all of that play out and see if I hit the mark or not. As well as obviously, you know, the dynamics in this friend group are pretty wild. So there's a lot of like ever-changing conflicts and resolution and new friendships and friendships tarnishing and all of that amidst trying to build a career and a name for myself in New York City.
00:01:06
Speaker 1: Well, you also grew up around the cameras already with your mom being on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. What do you think is the biggest difference between your cameos on that series and now being a lead and having this role on the next gen NYC?
00:01:19
Speaker 2: Absolutely. I mean, I feel like with that, I like you said, I was like just a child of a housewife, you know, it wasn't like the focus was really on me or so I didn't think it was. And then in this situation, it's sort of like I have the full platform to get to show my life and myself and people that I'm more than just a fashion show at Park City Fashion Week and like seven years ago at this point, you know.
00:01:45
Speaker 1: Well, who do you think brings the most drama to the series in your opinion?
00:01:51
Speaker 2: I think like everyone really carries their weight. Everyone is very opinionated and different. And I think that's what makes this group so amazing and unique and why I consider most of them great friends.
00:02:03
Speaker 1: Now the reunion is coming up and everybody loves a reunion because we never know what's going to happen. What are people going to see? What can you tell us when they tune in for the reunion?
00:02:14
Speaker 2: I think viewers will see a different side of me. I guess I've learned how to address conflict more directly and just in a better way, I'd like to think. So I think viewers will be surprised to see that as well as, um, some timelines about like relationships and whatnot. So there's definitely a lot to unpack and uncover at reunion.
00:02:41
Speaker 1: Well, your mom is a pro at reunions. Does she give you any, any tips? Yeah, of course.
00:02:46
Speaker 2: I mean, I called her halfway through the reunion. I was like, this is how it's going.
00:02:50
Speaker 1: I hope I'm doing a good job.
00:02:52
Speaker 2: She's the best. And I honestly felt guilty. I'm like, I feel like I have a leg up that I can call my mom who's done like, I don't know, six of these at this point.
00:03:00
Speaker 1: So that's true. Leg up. All right. I want to go back to your fashion line though, because I think it's so great. You know, that's like you said, your story is your fashion line. How did you end up getting into the fashion world? Was it something that you just were always into?
00:03:14
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I feel like I've always just loved anything creative since from as early as I can remember. And it started with me just like taking old clothes and cutting them up and sewing them together and creating like new garments out of old ones and just like refreshing things. I guess it was really like ahead of the trend with the sustainability that everyone seems to be jumping on. But yeah, I loved like all things creative and I wanted to create a brand that made people feel comfortable in themselves, but also comfortable to wear. And I feel like I'm really proud of the fact that I've accomplished that creating a label that truly is meant for everyone and no one is forgotten.
00:03:57
Speaker 1: What is your favorite clothing to design?
00:03:58
Speaker 2: Um, It's all so fun for me. Like I greatly value a good hoodie and a sweat pant.
00:04:08
Speaker 1: That's what I'm wearing right now. It's the best. Yeah, it's the best.
00:04:10
Speaker 2: It's the best. But I also have so much fun doing like the custom looks that I've designed for like my mom for some events. And I've also done a custom look for Gertie on Real Housewives of Miami. So yeah. I love stuff is really fun too.
00:04:27
Speaker 1: That's amazing. Do they come to you and just let you do whatever you feel or do they come to you with ideas?
00:04:34
Speaker 2: Um, they just let me do whatever I feel. I kind of just send them like a mock-up of my, or I send them the design of the gown that I want to create or whatever the garment is. And, um, as long as they're aligned, we just move forward with making it.
00:04:47
Speaker 1: Well, you also, you have a very talented family. Your sister, Chloe does music. Um, is it true that you've been helping her produce her songs?
00:04:55
Speaker 2: That is true. It's so much fun. We're actually recording more music tomorrow. So I'm super excited about that. But yeah, I feel like I posted that on Instagram the other day and I got so many messages that were like, I didn't know you could sing blah, blah, blah, whatever. And I'm like, no, I'm just sitting in the room producing it and writing and whatnot. So can you sing? Sorry, what was that?
00:05:17
Speaker 1: I said, can you sing? Have you ever tried?
00:05:20
Speaker 2: I mean, he's on the finale. Apparently, I'm really good at the national anthem.
00:05:24
Speaker 1: So very good. Are you going to also make her clothes for the videos when she makes them?
00:05:31
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, that would be I kind of want to take control of creative direction. But then again, she is the artist, so it's ultimately up to her. But I definitely have a vision for what I see.
00:05:42
Speaker 1: Well, you guys together, I'm sure we'll just kill it. All right, everyone. Be sure to check out next Gen NYC Wednesday nights on Bravo and streaming on Peacock and Hulu. Brooks, thank you so much for checking in.
00:05:53
Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you for having me.
00:05:55
Speaker 1: Good luck with everything. Thanks. Take care. You too. On with Mario Lopez.
Speaker 1: With Mario Lopez. You are on with Mario and Courtney Lopez and joining me right now from Bravo's Next Gen NYC fashion designer and reality TV star, Brooks Marks. How are you, Brooks?
00:00:14
Speaker 2: Hi, I'm great. Thanks for having me.
00:00:15
Speaker 1: How are you? I'm wonderful. Thank you for being here with me. So season two of Next Gen NYC is wrapping up and the part two reunion special is airing. So for the people who haven't seen the series, what is your storyline exactly?
00:00:29
Speaker 2: I mean, I feel like this season, particularly viewers are seeing me try to take my clothing brand to the next level. I have a really important launch with my brand and there are a lot of stakes on the line. So viewers are getting to watch all of that play out and see if I hit the mark or not. As well as obviously, you know, the dynamics in this friend group are pretty wild. So there's a lot of like ever-changing conflicts and resolution and new friendships and friendships tarnishing and all of that amidst trying to build a career and a name for myself in New York City.
00:01:06
Speaker 1: Well, you also grew up around the cameras already with your mom being on The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. What do you think is the biggest difference between your cameos on that series and now being a lead and having this role on the next gen NYC?
00:01:19
Speaker 2: Absolutely. I mean, I feel like with that, I like you said, I was like just a child of a housewife, you know, it wasn't like the focus was really on me or so I didn't think it was. And then in this situation, it's sort of like I have the full platform to get to show my life and myself and people that I'm more than just a fashion show at Park City Fashion Week and like seven years ago at this point, you know.
00:01:45
Speaker 1: Well, who do you think brings the most drama to the series in your opinion?
00:01:51
Speaker 2: I think like everyone really carries their weight. Everyone is very opinionated and different. And I think that's what makes this group so amazing and unique and why I consider most of them great friends.
00:02:03
Speaker 1: Now the reunion is coming up and everybody loves a reunion because we never know what's going to happen. What are people going to see? What can you tell us when they tune in for the reunion?
00:02:14
Speaker 2: I think viewers will see a different side of me. I guess I've learned how to address conflict more directly and just in a better way, I'd like to think. So I think viewers will be surprised to see that as well as, um, some timelines about like relationships and whatnot. So there's definitely a lot to unpack and uncover at reunion.
00:02:41
Speaker 1: Well, your mom is a pro at reunions. Does she give you any, any tips? Yeah, of course.
00:02:46
Speaker 2: I mean, I called her halfway through the reunion. I was like, this is how it's going.
00:02:50
Speaker 1: I hope I'm doing a good job.
00:02:52
Speaker 2: She's the best. And I honestly felt guilty. I'm like, I feel like I have a leg up that I can call my mom who's done like, I don't know, six of these at this point.
00:03:00
Speaker 1: So that's true. Leg up. All right. I want to go back to your fashion line though, because I think it's so great. You know, that's like you said, your story is your fashion line. How did you end up getting into the fashion world? Was it something that you just were always into?
00:03:14
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I feel like I've always just loved anything creative since from as early as I can remember. And it started with me just like taking old clothes and cutting them up and sewing them together and creating like new garments out of old ones and just like refreshing things. I guess it was really like ahead of the trend with the sustainability that everyone seems to be jumping on. But yeah, I loved like all things creative and I wanted to create a brand that made people feel comfortable in themselves, but also comfortable to wear. And I feel like I'm really proud of the fact that I've accomplished that creating a label that truly is meant for everyone and no one is forgotten.
00:03:57
Speaker 1: What is your favorite clothing to design?
00:03:58
Speaker 2: Um, It's all so fun for me. Like I greatly value a good hoodie and a sweat pant.
00:04:08
Speaker 1: That's what I'm wearing right now. It's the best. Yeah, it's the best.
00:04:10
Speaker 2: It's the best. But I also have so much fun doing like the custom looks that I've designed for like my mom for some events. And I've also done a custom look for Gertie on Real Housewives of Miami. So yeah. I love stuff is really fun too.
00:04:27
Speaker 1: That's amazing. Do they come to you and just let you do whatever you feel or do they come to you with ideas?
00:04:34
Speaker 2: Um, they just let me do whatever I feel. I kind of just send them like a mock-up of my, or I send them the design of the gown that I want to create or whatever the garment is. And, um, as long as they're aligned, we just move forward with making it.
00:04:47
Speaker 1: Well, you also, you have a very talented family. Your sister, Chloe does music. Um, is it true that you've been helping her produce her songs?
00:04:55
Speaker 2: That is true. It's so much fun. We're actually recording more music tomorrow. So I'm super excited about that. But yeah, I feel like I posted that on Instagram the other day and I got so many messages that were like, I didn't know you could sing blah, blah, blah, whatever. And I'm like, no, I'm just sitting in the room producing it and writing and whatnot. So can you sing? Sorry, what was that?
00:05:17
Speaker 1: I said, can you sing? Have you ever tried?
00:05:20
Speaker 2: I mean, he's on the finale. Apparently, I'm really good at the national anthem.
00:05:24
Speaker 1: So very good. Are you going to also make her clothes for the videos when she makes them?
00:05:31
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, that would be I kind of want to take control of creative direction. But then again, she is the artist, so it's ultimately up to her. But I definitely have a vision for what I see.
00:05:42
Speaker 1: Well, you guys together, I'm sure we'll just kill it. All right, everyone. Be sure to check out next Gen NYC Wednesday nights on Bravo and streaming on Peacock and Hulu. Brooks, thank you so much for checking in.
00:05:53
Speaker 2: Thank you. Thank you for having me.
00:05:55
Speaker 1: Good luck with everything. Thanks. Take care. You too. On with Mario Lopez.
