20th Century Designers: Designer Project: Marc Jacobs: Biography 1963-Present

Introduction/Biography

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Marc Jacobs is notably one of the most noticeable designers of the later part of the twentieth century. He was born on April 9, 1963 in Manhattan, New York. The essence of Jacobs can be seen as having the attitude of self-confidence, a hard shell, and a grunge spirit, and always ready to break the rules. Jacobs New York childhood was one that wasn’t always full of happiness. At the age seven, his father passed away, leaving him to live with his mother who was not known for having a stable lifestyle. After numerous divorces, and year of moving her family around, Jacobs was ready to leave the people that were causing him to be unhappy. (Boone) As a young teenager he moved in with Grandma on New York’s Upper West Side. Living with her as he grew into a young adult made Jacobs realize that the connections with the previously family he lived with did not matter. His grandma gave him love, support for what he wanted to pursue, and most importantly provided him the attention that a child needs. His grandmother was an early influence on Jacobs’s adoration for fashion. She taught him how to knit, and introduced him to the finer necessities of life. (Boone) He attended the High School of Art and Design, and was able to work part time at the boutique Charivari. Here Jacobs was able to gain the knowledge of fashion he would later use in his designs. He was introduced to designer Perry Ellis, who encouraged Jacobs to pursue an education at Parsons the New School for Design. (Boone) By his senior year at Parsons Jacobs had fully developed the style that would be the signature of his designs. He left Parsons with astounding achievement. Jacobs was given the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble, the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble, and Design Student of the Year. (Boone) During his time in high school and college Jacobs would go to the clubs, and be enclosed within a world of the latest music trends, the rock music being his favorable over the other genres. Having been able to be so in touch with music later lead to influence on his designs, campaigns, and even fashion shows. The fashion world quickly noticed the young designers bold new styles. The first job after graduating from Parsons was the one that truly put Marc Jacobs name out there. He partnered with Robert Duffy to establish Jacobs Duffy Designs. They worked with other designers, and developed cool, contemporary looks. The first company Jacobs was hired at was Perry Ellis to work as vice president of women’s designs. His partner Duffy was right there with him. Having previous connections with the designer himself, and his name now in the fashion industry gaining this job was almost easy for Jacobs. The next big step in the fashion world was signing onto Louis Vuitton in 1997, becoming the creative director for the brand. (“Marc Jacobs Biography) Jacobs was able to bring a new life to the Louis Vuitton, creating an innovative, modern look. In the midst of finding himself showered in success, Jacobs became engaged into drug abuse, alcoholism, and chain-smoking cigarettes. He found this other lifestyle as a way to deal with the pressure he felt, and the stress that comes from working in the fashion industry. (“Marc Jacobs Biography”) During his time at Louis Vuitton Jacobs was also focusing on establishing his own brand, which he successfully did. He recognized three main design platforms. Two were made for adults, the other one for children. The first adult label is the Marc Jacobs Collection, representing more high fashion designs, and the other being Marc by Marc Jacobs is a ready to wear line, then Little Marc, the children’s collection which is also made to be ready to wear. (“Marc Jacobs Biography”) Currently, Marc Jacobs is still the creative director for Louis Vuitton, and balances his personal label that has seen great success, and will continued to succeed far into the future of fashion.

Below are images that represent his designs: