The Story of Shark ‘83

Born in 1983. Built on the beach.

Shark ’83 isn’t just a brand — it’s a story that started on the boardwalk of Nantasket Beach in Hull, Massachusetts.

A friend once watched me spend every summer in the water, meeting everyone in sight, and laughed:

“You’re like a Shark. That’s it — Mark the Shark.”

The name stuck. From college gyms to early social media days (back when Myspace was king), Mark the Shark became my identity. In 2005, I printed my first tee… and people never stopped asking about it.

Fast forward to 2022.

Watching a documentary about the brands I grew up idolizing — a spark hit me. What if I built my own?

A blend of Lacoste’s timeless prep with a bold shark twist, and the vintage attitude of early Abercrombie.

Shark ’83 was born.

Our mission?

To craft clothing that feels incredible the second you put it on — confident, classic, and effortlessly cool.

Not to give you what you’re asking for…

…but to make you ask for what we’re offering.

Welcome to Shark ’83.

Every piece is created with that energy, just for you.

- MTS

The Shark was born in 1983, but the story of the brand started in 2002 down on the beach of Nantasket in Hull, Massachusetts. It was there that a friend of mine, and former co worker, had seen me all summer in the water or down the boardwalk talking to everyone in sight - he said "You're like a Shark ! - That's it, you're Mark the Shark from now on". From there, the story began.

When Myspace and Facebook were invented - yes I am that old 😂, I never wanted to put my last name on the internet - my username for both sites was Mark the Shark. During my freshman year of college, everyone on campus was calling me either Shark, or MTS, or just Mark the Shark - it just became my new identity overnight. I actually made my first tee shirt in 2005 as a junior and wore it to the gym often.

…as if people didn’t already  know who I was.

Fast forward to 2022 - 20 years after the name had begun - I came upon a show about a brand I grew up loving as a teenager and aspired to work for one day. While watching it - it was like a lighting bolt hit me and the idea of building my own brand came to life, right before my eyes! As a clothing brand - I am committed to providing you with comfortable,  long-lasting clothing that looks good, but more importantly makes you feel incredible. They make you feel Cool !

The goal isn't to give people what their asking for, but to make them ask for what your offering!

Hope every item you purchase makes you feel the same way I do…as I have created it just for you.

-MTS