Marc Jacobs is rightfully heralded as one of the most
important designers of this generation. His ability to paradoxically mix grit
with glamour is what makes his fashion empire one of the most sought after
brands worldwide. It’s a multifaceted label that boasts fashion- Marc Jacobs,
Marc by Marc Jacobs and Little Marc, eight fragrances including Daisy and Marc
Jacobs perfume for men, as well as eyewear and home collections.
Born in NYC in 1963, Jacobs began his journey in fashion at
the High School of Art and Design, graduating in 1981. During his early years
his grandmother (quoted as his biggest influence) taught him how to knit and
there began his love of design. Working as a stock boy in New York’s trendy
Charivari boutique when he was 15, Jacobs met Perry Ellis which further inspired
him to develop his career in fashion.
A Parson’s Success Story
Jacobs started his training at the acclaimed Parson’s School
of Design in New York. It was here that he created his first line (hand knit
sweaters) for the label Sketchbook. He was the recipient of many awards during
his time at Parson’s, including Design Student of the Year. Launching his first
namesake collection in 1986 under the label Marc Jacobs (jointly owned with
business partner Robert Duffy), he was the youngest designer ever to receive the
CFDA Perry Ellis Award for New Talent.
The King of Grunge
By the time Jacobs graduated, he was a highly coveted
designer and went on to work as Vice President of Women’s Design at Perry Ellis
shortly after. It was here in 1993 that he debuted his iconic grunge collection
inspired by the rock music of Seattle bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Sonic
Youth. While critics were praising his shocking move to go where fashion had not
gone before, the bosses at Perry Ellis were not so impressed with his gritty
offering of plaid shirts, doc martens and crocheted caps and fired him.
New Directions at Louis Vuitton
While still focusing on the Marc Jacobs line, Jacobs went on
to work as Creative Director for Louis Vuitton in 1997, redefining the luxury
luggage brand and taking it into the new millennium. Through his impeccable
ability to mix high end fashion with the unexpected, his infamous collaborations
with designer and graffiti artist Stephen Sprouse and Takashi Murakami created
bag collections that catapulted the brand to astronomic success, not to mention
the designer himself.
Marc Jacobs the Brand
By this time Jacobs’ signature style of understated cool
mixed with rock star glamour was gaining mass support from the fashion world.
After introducing his diffusion brand Marc by Marc Jacobs in 2001 and opening
the first multi branded store in Boston three years later, the Marc Jacobs
empire has grown to include a children’s line (Little Marc), eyewear, watches, a
home collection and fragrances. With over 60 standalone stores worldwide and
countless department stores offering Marc Jacobs products, this label has truly
become a global empire.
Marc Jacobs Style
From ready to wear fashion to fragrances, Marc Jacobs is a
brand that has become synonymous with subdued style. Not a fan of in-your-face
sex appeal, Jacobs has always maintained his signature look that is quietly chic
but always noticed. While his collections are constantly redefining the trends
in fashion, his fragrance lines for men and women capture the signature Marc
Jacobs style. Daisy and Marc Jacobs Perfume for women rate high with those
looking for a simply beautiful feminine scent based on floral tones. Men love
the Marc Jacobs for men cologne which boasts a fresh mix of exotic spices,
bergamot, ginger and fig.
The Future
Marc Jacobs is still on top of the fashion world with his own
label going strong as well as his work with Louis Vuitton. Always one to mix
music with fashion, Jacobs has just announced that pop icon Madonna will be the
new face of LV in 2009. Wherever fashion takes him, Jacobs will continue to be
one of the most influential designers around. The paradox of glamour and grit
will always be evident in his brand - unpretentious and effortlessly cool, Marc
Jacobs.
