Marc Jacobs

Iyana Houston 2/8/16

Intro to Merchandising

Marc Jacobs, a well known american fashion designer. Like many other designers
Marc Jacobs worked his way to the top. In his case working his way up was definitely a bumpy
ride. Jacobs had multiple ups and downs throughout his career, but before we get into that, lets
go to where it all started.
Marc Jacobs was born in 1963 in New York City, New York and is still alive to this day.
As a young boy Jacobs lost his father (age 7). This made things a lot harder for Jacobs. He was
moved from one place to another, not really gaining much stability. When Jacobs was a teenager
he moved in with his grandmother. I always say I lived my life with my grandmother, Jacobs
tells this to New York magazine in 2005. His grandmother had a significant impact on his life
and career. Living with his grandmother allowed for him to explore out into the world. She
introduced Marc to creativity and let him know there was so much more out there. Jacobs said
that no one ever really told him no or that he couldnt do something. This allowed him to try
and find interest in all different kinds of things.
Jacobs attended the High School of Art and Design in 1981, which just kicked off his
creative abilities. Jacobs then continued on to attend Parsons School of Design, which is today
called Parsons The New School For Design in New York, NY. While in school Jacobs worked at
this boutique called Charivari. Here he really just worked as a stock boy, folding clothes and
things in that nature but it let him see how the fashion world looked, at least inside of a store.
Parsons School of Design allowed Jacobs to actually create some hand-knit sweaters in which he

received three honors for, Design Student of the Year, The Perry Ellis Gold Thimble Award
and The Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award. While attending this school Jacobs began to
work for designer Perry Ellis. Jacobs did a show during his final year, to show off his sweaters
where other designers such as Barbara Weiser found interest in his creations and sought out to
have the sweaters produced. Jacobs also caught the eye of a Reuben Thomas Inc. executive
Robert Duffy who wanted Jacobs to design for the companys Sketchbook label. Duffy soon
became Jacobs business partner. In the next couple of years Jacobs designed two collections for
Sketchbook and soon after that, Reuben Thomas Inc. lost the corporation. This obstacle didnt
stop Jacobs though, he continued to pursue clothing design.
In the year 1986 Marc Jacobs presented his first collection under the Marc Jacobs label.
Jacobs was mainly working on womens wear during this time, while doing this he ended up
being rewarded with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Price for
Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 1992. Not too long after that Jacobs came out with
the famous Grunge collection. As of today we know how prominent this look is and was but at
the time this look wasnt greatly appreciated by the company. Critics came to like it, but the
company didnt approve. With that being said Duffy and Jacobs were both released from the
company. This still failed to stop Jacobs and Duffy, they went on to establish their own company
- Marc Jacobs International Company. Shortly after that Jacobs became creative director of
Louis Vuitton in 1997. This is where he was instructed to produce their first ready-to-wear line.
Jacobs had a sizable contribution to Louis Vuitton, helping them earn so much more money and
credibility. In return Louis Vuitton supported Jacobs financially so he could continue to go after
his dreams. Even with all of these great things happening, all of the work put a lot of pressure on
Jacobs which threw him off and he began to use drugs such as cocaine, heroin and alcohol.

Jacobs told New York Magazine in 2005 that when he drank he was taller, funnier, smarter and
cooler. (Jacobs). I would come into work and fall straight to sleep, and then I would tell
everyone to come in on a Saturday because we were behind, and then I wouldnt show up. says
Jacobs. As you can very well see these drugs took a toll on him. His friends really felt this
wasnt good for him so Jacobs went into rehab in 1999. Following him becoming clean, Jacobs
hopped right back into working. This is obviously a man that cant be held down by anyone or
anything. He always worked hard and went for what he wanted. Jacobs finally completed Louis
Vuittons ready-to-wear line in 2001 along with three of his own- one for the kids, called Little
Marc Jacobs and two other collections for adults. Not only did Jacob's create just clothes, he
produced accessories, perfumes and footwear. Jacobs maintained receiving rewards. He was
awarded with being Menswear Designer of the Year in 2002 and Accessories Designer of the
Year in 2003 and 2005.
In 2010 Jacobs gets engaged to a Lorenzo Maritone, also a man in the fashion industry.
After a couple years it wasnt working so now Jacobs moves on to a Harry Louis but the distance
got to them and broke them off. In 2013 Jacobs decided to leave Louis Vuitton to concentrate on
his own work. Today Marc Jacobs has over 250 stores in over 80 countries that make up to his
$679 Billion business.
The reason I chose Marc Jacobs is because, for one I really like his personality and his
views on the fashion world. I acknowledge the fact that he feels fashion creativity is a way to
express yourself because I feel the same way. I think what you wear does in fact say something
about you on any given day. He also has a lot of life in his collections, I find it extremely eye
catching. I like how his clothes have a little bit of everything in them, not just the streets or

grunge, but also some preppy and some couture. He takes something already done and makes it
his own. I appreciate that about him and he is a very open man.