The
influence of Marc Jacobs can be seen throughout the fashion world. He was able
to give a new light to Louis Vuitton, turning the designs from boring, into a
more contemporary, out of the normal look. His own personal collection has
generated designs that reflect his own life, and show the influence he had
while creating them. His name is one that is world famous, people from across
the globe know who Marc Jacobs is, and what he represents. The followers of
Marc Jacobs include a plethora of people. They may be affluent, on an average
income level, or even lacking money that could be used to purchase a Marc
Jacobs piece. He is able to relate to every aspect of life, giving people
something to look at for inspiration for there personal style. Celebrities such
as Victoria Beckham praise Jacobs as being a key figure in the fashion realm.
“Marc Jacobs is undoubtedly one of the
most influential designers of all time. He has never followed fashion or
trends; he follows his heart and sets trends. His passion for popular culture
infuses his designs with irreverence, color, and energy. It’s what sets him far
ahead of his peers. He is not afraid to go against the grain and never feels
the pressure to conform.” (Boone 77)
He
is an icon because he isn’t afraid to be different, he isn’t afraid to try
something that may fail. After he came into the industry, more designers had
this same thought process when creating new garments. Marc Jacobs is always
searching for the next new thing that can be devised from something completely
unique. Designers have been influenced by Marc Jacobs in the sense that one
doesn’t have to be afraid to take a classic piece of fashion and turn it into a
fresh, new more modern look. In return, Marc Jacobs has looked to past
designers for influence, and inspiration for his collections. In 1985 he
designed a mini-dress that was covered in sequins, the influence for the piece
being Elsa Schiaparelli. He also modeled styles after the interior designer
Elsie de Wolfe by putting beautiful embroidery onto the clothing. (Boone)
The zeitgeist surrounding Marc Jacobs is directly
reflected from the grunge movement of the nineties. Jacobs was infatuated with
where this movement was going, and what it stood for. He earned for a lifestyle
that would be carefree, and lean towards a new kind of existence. He was all
about not conforming to what already exists, but developing something new, and
fresh. The interest Marc Jacobs had in
the music of the nineties reflects the zeitgeist as well. Heavy guitar,
high-energy performances, and lyrics that addressed “social issues such as
apathy, confinement, and a desire for freedom.” (Boone) The message the lyrics
gave was the anthem, and spirit of this time. The musicians that absorbed Jacobs’s
ears included Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. (Boone) In
the later years Marc Jacobs fashion shows would have themes inspired from the
music of the nineties. The music was the true spirit, being the main influence
towards the grunge lifestyle. Marc Jacobs is credited as being the first
designer to platform the grunge look in the fashion world. One of his most
famous collections was showcased in 1992, given the name, “Grunge Collection.” The
collection consisted of oversized shirts, sweaters, and jackets. Old flannel
shirts were paired with “dirty” pieces of denim that had rips and holes. The
overall look was slouchy, not caring, and the most importantly the opposite of
the clean cut styles previous decades produced. This collection is what gave
way to the success Marc Jacobs would later withhold, making the spirit of this
decade the heart of the Marc Jacobs label.
Bibliography
Boone,
Mary. Marc Jacobs. New York: Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data, 2011. Print.
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