History of Marc Jacobs in Timeline
Marc Jacobs is a highly influential American fashion designer known for his eponymous label, Marc Jacobs, and its now-defunct diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs. He also served as the creative director for Louis Vuitton from 1997 to 2014. His global impact on the fashion industry has earned him recognition on Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People' list and Out magazine's '50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America' list. Jacobs married his partner, Charly Defrancesco, in 2019.
April 9, 1963: Birth of Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs was born on April 9, 1963. This marks the beginning of his journey in the world of fashion and design.
1984: Perry Ellis & Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award and Design Student of the Year
While studying at Parsons School of Design in 1984, Marc Jacobs won the prestigious Perry Ellis & Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award and was also recognized as the Design Student of the Year.
1986: Launch of the Marc Jacobs label
With the support of Onward Kashiyama USA, Inc., Marc Jacobs launched his first collection under the Marc Jacobs label in 1986, marking a pivotal step in his career.
1987: Council of Fashion Designers of America's Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent
In 1987, Marc Jacobs became the youngest designer to receive the Council of Fashion Designers of America's Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent, a testament to his burgeoning talent.
1988: Joining Perry Ellis
Following the death of Perry Ellis, Marc Jacobs and Robert Duffy joined the women's design unit of Perry Ellis in 1988, taking on the roles of creative director/vice president and president, respectively.
1992: The Women's Designer of the Year Award and "Grunge" Collection Controversy
In 1992, Marc Jacobs received The Women's Designer of the Year Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. However, the same year, his critically acclaimed "grunge" collection for Perry Ellis faced commercial challenges, leading to his dismissal.
1993: Launch of Marc Jacobs International Company, L.P.
In the fall of 1993, Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc. established their own licensing and design company, Marc Jacobs International Company, L.P., further expanding their influence in the fashion industry.
1993: Council of Fashion Designers of America's Women's Designer of the Year Award
Marc Jacobs's exceptional talent in women's fashion was recognized in 1993 when he was honored with the Women's Designer of the Year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
1994: Debut Menswear Collection
Marc Jacobs expanded his design repertoire in 1994 by producing his first full collection of menswear.
1997: Appointment as Louis Vuitton's Creative Director
Marc Jacobs was appointed as the creative director of Louis Vuitton in 1997, where he made a significant impact by creating the company's first ready-to-wear clothing line.
1997: Appointment as Louis Vuitton's Creative Director and Launch of Ready-to-Wear Line
Marc Jacobs's appointment as Louis Vuitton's creative director in 1997 marked a significant milestone in his career. During his tenure, he introduced the company's first ready-to-wear clothing line, revolutionizing the brand's image.
2001: Launch of Marc by Marc Jacobs
In the spring of 2001, Marc Jacobs introduced his secondary line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, aiming to offer more accessible and youthful designs.
2005: Marc by Marc Jacobs in Japan
By 2005, Look held the license for Marc by Marc Jacobs ready-to-wear in Japan, with a retail value of €50 million, highlighting the brand's international success.
2006: Release of Body-Splash Fragrances
In 2006, Marc Jacobs expanded his product line by launching a new collection of body-splash fragrances. These fragrances, packaged in ten-ounce bottles, were distributed by Coty.
2007: Release of "Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton" Documentary and Daisy Perfume Collection
The year 2007 saw two notable events for Marc Jacobs. Filmmaker Loïc Prigent released a documentary film titled "Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton," offering a glimpse into Jacobs's creative process and impact on the fashion house. Additionally, Jacobs launched his popular Daisy collection of perfumes, further solidifying his presence in the fragrance world.
February 2008: Plagiarism Accusation and Settlement
Marc Jacobs faced accusations of plagiarizing a scarf design from Swedish designer Gösta Olofsson in February 2008. The issue was resolved with Jacobs offering monetary compensation to Olofsson's son.
May 2009: Support for Gay Marriage and Met Gala Co-Hosting
Marc Jacobs demonstrated his support for gay marriage in 2009 by selling shirts advocating for its legalization at his stores. In May 2009, he co-hosted the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gala, themed "model and muse," alongside model Kate Moss.
February 2010: Lawsuit Against Ed Hardy
In February 2010, Marc Jacobs took legal action against Ed Hardy for alleged infringement on the designs of one of his embroidered handbags.
2010: Time 100 Most Influential People
In 2010, Time magazine recognized Marc Jacobs's global impact by including him in their annual list of the 100 most influential people.
July 2011: Patron of "Designer for Tomorrow by Peek & Cloppenburg"
During the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Fashion Week in July 2011, Marc Jacobs served as the patron for the young talent award "Designer for Tomorrow by Peek & Cloppenburg." He played a key role in selecting finalists and mentoring the winner.
August 2011: Rumors About Christian Dior Creative Director Position
Rumors circulated in August 2011 suggesting that Marc Jacobs might succeed John Galliano as the creative director of Christian Dior. These rumors persisted despite Jacobs's attempts to address them.
January 2012: Addressing Christian Dior Rumors
Marc Jacobs addressed rumors about potentially becoming the creative director of Christian Dior in January 2012, denying any involvement in the position.
2012: Acting Debut in "Disconnect"
Marc Jacobs made his acting debut in the feature film "Disconnect" in 2012. Directed by Henry-Alex Rubin, the film also starred Jason Bateman, Paula Patton, Alexander Skarsgård, and Andrea Riseborough. Jacobs played the character Harvey.
2012: Out Magazine's 50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women
Marc Jacobs was ranked #14 on Out magazine's list of the "50 Most Powerful Gay Men and Women in America" in 2012.
February 2013: Appointment as Creative Director for Diet Coke
In February 2013, Marc Jacobs took on the role of creative director for Diet Coke, tasked with revitalizing the brand's image for its 30th anniversary.
October 2013: Announcement of Departure from Louis Vuitton
Following the Spring/Summer 2014 show, it was announced that Marc Jacobs would be stepping down from his position at Louis Vuitton to dedicate his focus to his own line.
December 2013: Shanghai Flagship Store Opening
In December 2013, Marc Jacobs expanded his brand's presence in Asia with the grand opening of a new flagship store in Shanghai, China.
January 9, 2014: Miley Cyrus Featured in Marc Jacobs's Spring/Summer Collection
On January 9, 2014, it was announced that actress and singer Miley Cyrus would be featured in Marc Jacobs's upcoming Spring/Summer collection, with photography by David Sims.
February 26, 2014: Jessica Lange as the Face of Marc Jacobs Beauty
On February 26, 2014, actress Jessica Lange was unveiled as the new face of Marc Jacobs Beauty. This partnership included a print ad campaign photographed by David Sims and a short film directed by Jacobs.
May 5, 2014: Launch of Marc Jacobs Beauty Campaign Featuring Jessica Lange
The Marc Jacobs Beauty campaign featuring Jessica Lange, which included a short film directed by Jacobs himself, was launched online on May 5, 2014.
2014: Departure from Louis Vuitton
In 2014, Marc Jacobs officially left his role at Louis Vuitton, marking the end of an era for both the designer and the fashion house.
2014: Casting Models Through Social Media for Marc by Marc Jacobs's Autumn/Winter Campaign
In a pioneering move, Marc Jacobs utilized social media to cast models for Marc by Marc Jacobs's Autumn/Winter 2014 campaign. This innovative approach proved successful and was repeated for the Spring/Summer 2015 campaign.
March 2015: Closure of Marc by Marc Jacobs
In March 2015, Marc Jacobs made the strategic decision to close down his diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, to focus on the growth and exclusivity of his main brand, targeting a more high-end market.
2015: Launch of Lifestyle Campaign
In 2015, Marc Jacobs launched a unique lifestyle campaign that moved away from traditional fashion models. Instead, he featured a diverse group of artists, celebrities, and cultural icons like Sofia Coppola, Cher, Willow Smith, Winona Ryder, Daisy Lowe, and Anthony Kiedis, further solidifying the brand's connection with art and culture.
2015: Social Media Casting for Marc by Marc Jacobs's Spring/Summer Campaign
Marc Jacobs continued his innovative approach to model casting by using social media for the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2015 campaign, solidifying his forward-thinking approach in the industry.
2015: Discontinuation of Marc by Marc Jacobs
Marc Jacobs discontinued his diffusion line, Marc by Marc Jacobs, after the Fall/Winter 2015 collection. At its peak, the line had over 200 stores in 80 countries.
2016: Spring 2016 Ad Campaign
Marc Jacobs continued his unconventional approach to advertising with his Spring 2016 campaign. The campaign, featuring a star-studded cast including Lana Wachowski, Sandra Bernhard, Bette Midler, and more, was lauded as the "best campaign of the Spring 2016 season" by the New York Observer. Jacobs described it as a "personal diary" reflecting his vision of America.
February 2018: John Targon Joins Marc Jacobs as Creative Director of Contemporary
In February 2018, LVMH confirmed that John Targon, co-founder of Baja East, would be joining Marc Jacobs as the creative director of contemporary, adding fresh perspective to the brand.
April 4, 2018: Engagement to Charly Defrancesco
On April 4, 2018, Marc Jacobs proposed to his boyfriend, Charly Defrancesco, in a very public and memorable way. The proposal, staged as a flash mob performance to Prince's "Kiss" inside a Chipotle restaurant, showcased a blend of personal style and grand gesture.
April 6, 2019: Marriage to Charly Defrancesco
On April 6, 2019, Marc Jacobs married his long-time partner Charly Defrancesco.
April 2019: Purchase of Frank Lloyd Wright House
In April 2019, Marc Jacobs and Charly Defrancesco purchased a significant piece of architectural history: the Max Hoffman House in Rye, New York. Designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the home reflects Jacobs' appreciation for art and design.
August 26, 2019: MTV's First "Fashion Trailblazer Award"
Marc Jacobs's significant contributions to the fashion industry were recognized on August 26, 2019, when he was honored with MTV's first-ever "Fashion Trailblazer Award" at the Video Music Awards.
September 2020: Release of Heaven: A Polysexual Line
In September 2020, Marc Jacobs launched "Heaven," a polysexual clothing line designed to appeal to a younger audience while challenging traditional gender boundaries.
February 2023: Viral Editorial Shoot
In February 2023, Marc Jacobs designed an editorial shoot featuring New York City nightlife icons on a strikingly long couch. The shoot, photographed by Eloise Parry and creatively directed by Ava Nirui, gained widespread attention and went viral.
