Who? Marc Jacobs was nicknamed 'the guru of grunge' after sending models down the catwalk in army boots paired with floral dresses, and he has been leading the fashion pack since. From humble beginnings (he learned how to knit from his grandmother), he has become one of the fashion world's hippest designers who can do no wrong. Of course, his reputation received a boost when actress Winona Ryder allegedly stole a few of his jumpers from Saks Fifth Avenue in 2001. She then attended her trial in one of his dresses, and Jacobs decided to return the favour by asking her to model his spring/summer 2003 advertising campaign. All's fair in fashion and war.
How did it happen? Marc Jacobs was born on April 9, 1963, in New York. After graduating from the High School of Art and Design in 1981 he joined Parson's School of Design, where he received some of the school's highest honours, including designing his first collection of hand-knit sweaters. In 1986, Jacobs launched his own namesake label under Kashiyama USA Inc. The following year he became the youngest designer to be awarded the Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent by the industry's most prestigious organisation, the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 1989, he joined Perry Ellis as vice-president of women's design and went on to create his renowned grunge look, getting noticed by the likes of Vogue editor Anna Wintour. However, his designs turned out to be too edgy for the conservative Ellis and he was dismissed in 1992. He reappeared on fashion radars in 1997, when he became Louis Vuitton's artistic director, responsible for the brand's first ready-to-wear line. He has since been credited with making LV an industry leader with his innovative designs and celebrity following, including Jennifer Lopez, Christina Ricci and Uma Thurman (all of whom have appeared in ad campaigns for LV). Today, Jacobs continues to design for his own label as well as a younger diffusion line called Marc by Marc Jacobs, which was launched in 2001.
What do the designs look like? His retro prints are matched with contemporary cuts and inventive accessories. His 'grungy' designs are youthful with an edgy twist.
What does the designer have to say?
'I always like very banal things, like stripes and spots. I like cliches very much. I love to take things that are everyday and comforting and make them into the most luxurious things in the world.'
Where are the designs available?
