In Conversation

with Allison Behring & Marcus Allen,
Founders of The Vestments Group

Two costume designers, two journeys, one shared vision: Redefining personal style as ritual. Marcus Allen and Allison Behring met on the set of the 2017 CBS Reboot, Dynasty and built a creative partnership grounded in mutual respect, instinct, and queer joy. Here, they share their earliest memories in fashion, favorite finds, and the philosophy behind The Vestments Group.

What was your first fashion-related job, and how did you get into fashion?

Allison: My first job was as a merchandising assistant at a store named Dusty Rose in New City, NY. I was a freshman in high school and completely captivated by how those impeccably dressed sales ladies treated their clients. They remembered birthdays, family stories, even pets, and made every appointment feel personal. That’s when I learned fashion wasn’t just about selling clothes, it was about experience.


Marcus: My first job in fashion was at Abercrombie & Fitch  when I was 17. They had a strict system for how clothes were folded and displayed, which taught me early on about presentation, discipline, and detail. They even had a role called “Jean Specialist,” meaning we knew every fold and could style each display. I loved it. Even before that, I stood out in school wearing sweater vests, ties, and khakis, super preppy in a rural setting. You’d think I was running a fashion show. It was always my natural language.

Who or what inspired you to get into fashion?

Allison: It’s always been in my soul. As a kid I could get lost for hours in a dress-up bin or with Barbies. Growing up in New York and seeing fashionable people on 5th Avenue felt so glamorous. I wanted to be part of that world.


Marcus: It always came naturally. I’d pore over magazines thinking I either belonged in them or could do it better. It was equal parts ego and influence from great photographers, models, stylists, and creative directors shaping my eye without me realizing it.

Where do you find inspiration today?

Marcus: From the world around me. In film, we say something is “in the world” if the camera sees it; it becomes part of the story. Watching people in the real world gives me endless reference points. The way someone moves, how they wear their clothes, the energy they carry, those moments always feed back into my work. I also love textures. I take photos constantly; just last week I shot spiky cucumbers and eggplants at the farmers market because the color combo was perfect.


Allison: Comfort, astrology, and shapes or color pairings that make me re-see my closet. I’ll study runway shows not to shop but to reinterpret what I already have.

Most iconic fashion moment in history?

Allison: The Spice Girls, Diane Keaton, Lady Gaga, The Beatles’ 1969 rooftop concert, Cher, Rihanna’s Guo Pei gown at the 2015 Met Gala, and Yves Saint Laurent’s “Le Smoking.” All of them shifted how we define glamour.


Marcus: Naomi Campbell walking cobblestones in stilettos. That balance of danger and grace is everything.

When you’re thrifting, what are you looking for?

Marcus: Unique fabrics and strong construction. I want weight, stitching, and tags that tell a story. My best finds always come from digging through every rack, no skimming.


Allison: I keep a running Notes-app list of what I’m missing. After the third or fourth “I wish I had a…” moment, it goes on the list. Then I check every label for fabric content and care instructions to decide if it’s worth it.

Favorite fashion hack?

Allison: Add a belt. Simple, transformative, timeless.


Marcus: Three essentials: fashion tape, safety pins, and a leather punch. And steam everything; it’s the easiest way to make clothes look better immediately.

One item always worth the splurge?

Marcus: Foot care. Shoes are your foundation. Like a good bed, you live in them.


Allison: A great coat. It instantly changes how you feel walking out the door.

Three words that describe your personal style.

Allison: Classic, playful, polished.


Marcus: Ever changing, bespoke, queer.

Biggest fashion regret?

Marcus: Blowing my first big paycheck on Ralph Lauren Purple Label pants. Wore them twice, then lost them. Still hurts.
 

Allison: Not keeping everything. There are vintage pieces I still dream about.

Favorite item in your closet?

Allison: My wedding tuxedo gown. Nothing else compares.

Marcus: Coats. My favorite is a forest-green suede and leather thrift find, reversible, no lining, no label. Pure magic.

What’s your go-to uniform?

Marcus: All black. Simple, elevated, versatile. But it has to look intentional or you disappear.

Allison: T-shirt with shorts or mini skirt, boots or loafers, an interesting blazer, and fun jewelry. Always a little sparkle.

Tell us about your work in Television and Film.

Allison:
I have spent much of my career inside costume departments on productions where clothing shapes the story. The Dynasty reboot was one of the most defining environments I worked in. It was high-budget, couture-heavy, fast-paced, and incredibly detail driven. I was the only person across the entire production, cast or crew, who worked every single episode for all four seasons. When you live inside a space that demanding, you develop instincts for character building, silhouette, continuity, and visual storytelling that stay with you long after the show wraps.

Marcus:
My path into costumes started in the AD department before I moved into the costume team. For a long stretch I was the only Costume PA on the show, even though a production of that size usually requires two. The pace was intense. We handled archival pulls, runway looks, custom builds, hundreds of fittings, and nonstop continuity. It taught me how to solve problems quickly, track details that most people never see, and build character through clothing rather than decoration. You learn precision by necessity.

Allison:
Productions like that change you. Costumes are part of the narrative architecture. Every seam, every fit, every change supports a moment in the story.

Marcus:
And those skills translate directly into the work we do now. Whether we are designing for film and television or building long-term closets for clients, we approach clothing with the same clarity, character-focused thinking, and discipline we learned on set.

What have you learned working in film?

Allison: If you have a backup, you won’t need it. If you don’t, you will.

Marcus: To get it done. Film demands urgency, precision, and follow-through. Every detail matters because if one thing falls apart, the whole production does.

How did you two meet, and what do you have in common?

Allison:
We met on Dynasty, Season 2. Marcus had moved into the costume department as a PA, and I was an Assistant Costume Designer. We clicked immediately. We both love beautiful things, good food, culture, community, and turning an ordinary day into something memorable.

Marcus:
I noticed her calm efficiency right away. We bonded over work ethic and, honestly, being gay as hell. It was an instant shorthand.

How do you complement each other?

Marcus: I’m louder, Allison’s more grounded. I push with boldness; she balances with sensibility. We keep each other honest.

Allison: Marcus sees every detail. He executes seamlessly, and it feels harmonious and inspiring to learn alongside him.

What does Vestments Group mean?

Allison: We believe everyone deserves a closet that makes them feel expensive and special. It’s not about labels; it’s about energy. Adorn yourself.

Marcus: “Vestments” speaks to both garments and ritual. Clothing as ceremony, statement, belonging.

What kind of clients do you work with?

Marcus: Clients who view style as an extension of self, not status, People ready to invest in intentional, long term wardrobe building.
 

Allison: People Clients who want a thoughtful, elevated approach to dressing, people who are curious about refining their style and open to collaboration. It’s less about buying endlessly and more about making choices that feel aligned, expressive, and intentional. Everyone’s relationship with fashion evolves, and we help guide that evolution with clarity and confidence

Where are you based?

Allison: Worldwide. Our concierge clients get global access, from stylists and tailors to travel coordination.


Marcus: Wherever you need us. Think of us as your lil’ fairy team bopping along with a magic wand behind you.

Can I hire you for a one-off event?

Marcus: Yes, if we’ve completed your Style Blueprint consultation.


Allison: After that, you can book from our a la carte menu anytime within a year.

What does a membership include?

Allison: Every member begins with a Style Blueprint meeting, an hour-long conversation about goals, habits, and the life you want to dress for.


Marcus: After that, we step into your wardrobe curation, sourcing, fittings, event styling, consignment, storage, and travel-ready looks, all tailored to your lifestyle and budget.

How do I get started?

Both: Reach out through our website to book your Style Blueprint consultation. From there, we design a membership plan that fits you.


Discover how Marcus and Allison translate their philosophy into their work.




The Vestments Approach