Held studied at New York's Parsons School of Design before working for several major fashion houses, including Dior and Balenciaga. In 1965, he created his own fashion label, "MR Marc", which was sold in luxury stores worldwide.
In the 1970s, Held began to concentrate on interior and furniture design. He has designed projects for prestigious clients such as the Maison de la Culture in Grenoble, France, New York City Hall and the Mercedes-Benz showroom in Stuttgart, Germany.
Held has also taught design at the Parsons School of Design and the Rhode Island School of Design. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the American Institute of Architects Award and the Prix de la Ville de Paris.
Marc Held is considered one of the pioneers of modern design, and his contribution to the world of fashion and interior design continues to be recognized today.