This week, we speak to Marianne McDonald, Creative Director at Citizens of Humanity, as a highly respected design talent and leader in the industry.

Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series ‘How I got my job as…’ where we speak to some incredible wellness, fashion and beauty entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they’d give to those starting out; and the hurdles they’ve had to overcome.

In 2019, she joined the LA based design collective as head of Men’s and Women’s. Over the years, her experience gravitated her towards denim as a creative medium.

McDonald brings her unique perspective to the forefront of Citizens of Humanity. Her aesthetic is feminine with a hint of modernity, as she views each garment not only as a beloved item of clothing but rather a canvas for future revelries.

To delve into this, McDonald, Creative Director at Citizens of Humanity shared her journey in the fashion industry.

What was your favourite subject at school?

I definitely enjoyed meeting my friends when going to school, however, my favourite subject was English literature.

What was your first job?

I first started my career, working as a salesgirl at the Gap when Gap was in its heyday. I remember the first time I was introduced to a folding board and loved how perfect things could look.

What inspired you to enter the fashion space and work at Citizens of Humanity?

I’ve always loved fashion’s ability to illustrate the present moment and transform a wearer. Over the years working in fashion, I’ve honed my love of silhouette and wash. I eventually ended up meeting the CEO of Citizens, Amy Williams through the introduction of a former colleague of ours and we ended up talking for hours. I believe that Citizens is one of the most incredible companies to work for and I’m grateful for the opportunity. The friends I count as colleagues, the challenging nature of the work and our collective passion for design and the environment keep it ever evolving and exciting.

What are the key elements of your role?

Problem solving, paying very close attention to detail, research and the privilege of being able to create world-class denim with people as passionate as myself.

Talk us through your daily routine.

Today we’re in the studio shooting styles for Spring/Summer 2025. It’s a nice break from the day to day and gives me the chance to work with our stylist and models. I love seeing them try on different looks and being around our producers, photographers and other creatives. On most days when we’re in the office we have fittings, where we’ll fit new prototypes or perfect styles that are going into production. The day to day varies, but there are endless decisions that need to be made and considered as we develop multiple seasons simultaneously.

What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps?

Keep an open mind and work thoughtfully. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would go into denim. You never know where your creative path will lead and what previous skills you’ll be able to call upon to help you in your creative endeavors.

Tell us more about your favourite styles?

I just ordered the Miro in Pacifica and am planning on wearing it to a dinner we are hosting in New York in the next few weeks. I’ll be pairing them with a fitted Khaite top and slender strapped heels. I love the look of dark denim these days. It feels elevated and sophisticated and looks especially chic for evening looks.

Creative Director Citizens of Humanity

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Be patient, it’s not a race.

And what is the worst?

And what is the worst?

When I was younger and just starting out, I was told I would never become a designer because I was asian. Thankfully, times and attitudes have evolved.

What’s the biggest challenge you have had to overcome?

The pace of the calendar each season is challenging every time. There is such a desire to perfect things, which takes time, and this must be approached with a lot of discipline and creativity to make sure that you’re on time, every time.

 

What does the future hold for the brand?

Through our Regenerative Cotton Program, launched in 2022, we’ve empowered farmers in the U.S. and abroad to adopt regenerative farming practices. So far, we’ve procured over 5 million pounds of regenerative cotton, with another 5M pounds expected from this year’s harvest. We’re also working on a groundbreaking bio-based dye innovation launching in the New Year.

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Images: Supplied