Antthony Mark Hankins
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Antthony Mark Hankins |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Ready-to-wear clothing, couture collection, accessories |
Antthony Mark Hankins (born November 10, 1968) is a distinguished American fashion designer and the founder of Antthony Mark Hankins Inc., which he launched in 1994. By his mid-twenties, he had established a business valued at $40 million and was highlighted by Newsweek as one of the top 100 emerging figures in the United States.
Early life
Hankins' journey from modest origins in Elizabeth, New Jersey, has been chronicled in outlets such as Business Week Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. As the youngest among seven siblings, he honed his creative talents early on through art and sewing classes while simultaneously working part-time at the Union County courthouse. His initial sewing machine purchase was made possible by a loan from a friend.
Foundational years
With a compelling portfolio, Hankins earned a place at the Pratt Institute's School of Design, attending from 1986 to 1988. At just nineteen years old, he became both the second American and the first African-American accepted into the esteemed École de la chambre syndicale de la couture parisienne in Paris. To cover his travel costs, he gained national attention through a two-part feature on the Today Show, which resulted in an anonymous benefactor providing financial support.
Between 1988 and 1989, Hankins furthered his skills at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, an institution founded by the authoritative Chambre Syndicale, responsible for setting standards among Parisian fashion houses. This school counts luminaries such as Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent among its alumni.
His early career included apprenticeships with Yves Saint Laurent (1988–1990) and roles under designers Adrienne Vittadini, Willi Smith, Michael Paris, and Homer Layne. A pivotal interview with Emmy-winning designer Bob Mackie influenced Hankins to focus on the ready-to-wear mass market segment, shaping his future business approach.
Antthony Originals
At age 21 in 1992, Anthony Mark Hankins joined JCPenney Corporation in California as Quality Assurance Manager. Within two months, his fashion knowledge earned him a promotion to in-house designer at JCPenney’s Dallas headquarters.
In 1994, Hankins established Ramone Moya Ltd., which serves as the parent company for AMH Group and Antthony Mark Hankins Inc. JCPenney agreed to carry his debut collection under this venture. Following the conclusion of his exclusivity agreement, he broadened his reach to Target with the "Authentics" line and to Kmart with "Anjalise," while also showcasing collections at Nordstrom and Sears. By 1996, his annual sales had grown to $40 million.
All Antthony creations are manufactured domestically within the United States and have achieved successful international distribution through Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) PX stores. In 1996, BET invited him to participate in their home-shopping program affiliated with HSN, where he has maintained a continuous presence as a ready-to-wear designer for over three decades.
Fashion labels
The Antthony Design Studio collection is available nationwide through department stores and boutiques.
- Couture Collection
A line of meticulously handcrafted social dresses and separates produced entirely in the U.S.
- Band of Artists
An exclusive accessory collection introduced in 2010.
Fashion Brands
- Antthony Originals – Available on HSN
- Anthtony – Couture Line
- Anthony Mark Hankins Signature Collection – Featured in prominent department stores
- Authentics by Anthony Mark Hankins – Offered at select department stores
- Butterick Patterns – Introduced in July 1995
- TonyWear – Sold through Hudson Bay Stores in Canada
- Shopping with Anthony – Broadcast on HSN
- The "A" Label by Antthony Mark Hankins
- Band of Artists
Accolades
- "Young Star Award" – 1997: Trumpet Awards/Turner Broadcasting
- Created a couture piece for the 1995 honorees
- Named among 100 Top People to Watch in the Millennium – 1997: Newsweek
- Entrepreneur of the Year – 1997: Business Week
- Linden New Day Associates Recognition – 1996
- Black Retail Action Group (BRAG) – 1996
- Advocating for minority inclusion within retail sectors
- Official City Proclamations from Dallas (Texas), Wichita (Kansas), Elizabeth (New Jersey), and Tulsa (Oklahoma)
Bibliography
Fabric of Dreams: Designing My Own Success Authored by Anthony Mark Hankins with Debbie Markley, Published March 1998