Chicago footwear brand Marc Nolan returned to Atlanta Thursday evening with an exclusive preview of its Fall 2025 collection, marking the company’s continued expansion efforts following a temporary retail presence in Ponce City Market.
Held at RETREAT by The Gathering Spot, the evening featured the brand’s latest designs, with free shoes awarded hourly to attendees.
Sebastian Malczewski, founder of Marc Nolan, said the brand is considering a permanent return to Atlanta within the next 18 months after operating a temporary location at Ponce City Market for approximately a year and a half.
“We have a very strong customer base here,” Malczewski said in an interview. “Atlanta is number two or three for us after Chicago, along with New York, LA, and Houston.”
The Fall 2025 collection represents a strategic shift for the company, particularly in its approach to women’s footwear. Unlike previous collections that adapted men’s designs for women, the new line features shoes designed specifically for women by women.
“This whole collection for women is strictly designed for women,” Malczewski explained.
The men’s collection splits into two distinct segments: basic colors in black and brown with subtle variations, and bolder designs featuring unique prints, patent leather, and vibrant colors including orange and white.
Atlanta Collaborations
The collection features collaborations with two Atlanta-based partners: Archie Clay III and his brand Brain Love and Atlanta fashion influencer, Mario Reed. Archie Clay III, founder of Brain Love, worked with Marc Nolan on a limited-edition shoe called “Step Into Your Purpose,” featuring a suede upper with the Brain Love heart symbol and light blue and pink shoelaces.
“It’s infusing Brain Love, but it’s also infusing Marc Nolan,” Clay said. “Marc Nolan values and mission aligns to who we are as a brand as well.”
Only 50 pairs of the collaborative shoes were produced, emphasizing exclusivity over volume sales.
“For us, it’s not about the money,” Clay said. “It’s about creating a high-quality pair of shoes, but also being able to create that space.”
Future Expansion Plans
Marc Nolan currently operates one retail location in Chicago, which is expanding from 1,400 to 2,800 square feet. The company is using this flagship location to develop a blueprint for future stores in other markets.
Chanelle Blake, director of community and culture for Marc Nolan, said the brand aims to establish permanent retail locations in Atlanta and New York while maintaining its Chicago dominance.
“Our goal is to have retail locations and dominate not just Chicago, which we already are, but to come here and have a permanent home in Atlanta and then also New York soon in the future,” Blake said.
The company’s previous Atlanta location at Ponce City Market ended when the lease expired, though Blake noted the relationship with the shopping center remained positive.
“Ponce was great. We renewed our lease multiple times. They wanted us to stay,” she said. “As far as a permanent home, it most likely won’t be Ponce City Market. We think we’re just going to be looking and sourcing for somewhere that really just helps bring our culture from Chicago into Atlanta.”
Marc Nolan has expanded beyond footwear to include accessories, leather goods, and limited apparel, with plans to enter the sports industry. The brand focuses on collaborations with influencers and customers who demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the products rather than pursuing partnerships with larger companies.