Marc Jacobs serves as a symbol of statement fashion in a world of conformists. Where did his career and his brand begin?

Marc Jacobs was born in New York City in 1963. His interest in fashion started young and he was enrolled in the High School of Art and Design at age 15. He also began working at Charivari, a high-end boutique. After graduating high school, he attended Parsons School of Design. In 1984, Jacobs was hired by Reuben Thomas Inc. In the same year, his brand was officially launched and called Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc. as he was in a partnership with Robert Duffy. 

Three years later, he became the youngest designer to win the CFDA award for New Fashion Talent. In 1988, he was named vice president of women’s design at his mentor Perry Ellis’ company. It was in this role that he gained great international recognition for his work as he released his Grunge Collection in 1993. This collection is often credited with inspiring the grudge fashion movement of the ‘90s. He was quickly named the “guru of grunge.” 

In 1997, Jacobs’ first boutique was opened in SoHo. He helped transform the image of SoHo to have a higher focus on defining and sought-after fashion. To meet the financial needs for his fashion house, he became the creative director for Louis Vuitton. He helped design its first ready-to-wear line and continued to collaborate with other designs to create iconic items for the brand, such as the Eye Love Monogram collection. 

Jacobs spent most of the early-2000s attempting to expand his brand. He released Marc by Marc Jacobs, a more-affordable line of sportswear, in 2001. Four years later, he launched a children’s wear line called Little Marc Jacobs. In 2013, he decided to step down as creative director of Louis Vuitton to focus his attention on his own brand. 

In 2007, he released the fan favorite Daisy signature scent that was named after Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby. He continued to have defining moments through the 2010s including opening Bookmarc, launching Marc Jacobs Beauty, and introducing the iconic Kiki Boot. He then decided to revive his well-known grunge collection by launching the Grunge Collection Redux in 2018. The following year, he launched the Tote Bag, which is what many know the brand by today. While his fashion empire may not be at its peak at the moment, the iconic name Marc Jacobs is far from dead. He is still a symbol of grungy rebellious style that is intertwined through our fashion today.

Till next Sunday,

Daisy