Who Is Marc Jacobs? The Man Behind The Brand

Annie Morgan
2025-10-31T12:40:22-04:00

Some fashion designers’ genius is hidden behind a brand name, some fashion designers are a brand name. Marc Jacobs is the latter.

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Marc Jacobs could never be called a wallflower. Known for his expressive, bold designs, the designer has an impressive resume and is one of the most influential designers of our time.

A name synonymous with innovation, rebellion, and timeless style. From redefining grunge in the ’90s to transforming Louis Vuitton into a global fashion powerhouse, Jacobs has spent decades pushing boundaries while staying true to his creative vision. His work captures the spirit of individuality and self-expression, blending luxury with a sense of playfulness that continues to shape fashion today.

All About: Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs: Early Days

Marc Jacobs was born in New York City in 1963. The designer’s childhood has been described as difficult, with a lot of upheaval, with his father passing away when Marc Jacobs was seven years old.

He lived in various locations in New York City as well as in Teaneck, New Jersey. He attended the High School of Art and Design before studying at Parsons School of Design.

Marc Jacobs’s Design Career

Jacobs’s career in fashion started at a young age, when he worked in a stocking position for a now-defunct boutique called Charivari in New York.

The designer designed and sold knitwear during his time at Parsons. Upon graduating in 1984, Jacobs launched the fashion brand Marc Jacobs alongside Robert Duffy.

Five years later, in 1989, he was hired as Vice President of Women’s Design for Perry Ellis, where in 1992 he unveiled what was seen at the time as a controversial grunge-inspired collection. The following year, he was let go from the brand.

In 1997, Marc Jacobs was appointed by Louis Vuitton to head up artistic direction. During his time at Louis Vuitton, the designer introduced iconic collaborations with artists such as Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami, and Yayoi Kusama. He left Louis Vuitton in 2013.

The Marc Jacobs brand sells everything from ready-to-wear to leather accessories to fragrance. The brand's makeup collection was discontinued in 2021. The Marc by Marc Jacobs secondary line was a more affordable line from the Marc Jacobs brand, which existed between 2001 and 2014.

What Awards Has Marc Jacobs Won?

Perry Ellis & Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award (1984)

Design Student of the Year (1984)

Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent (1987)

CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year (1997, 2010, 2016)

Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters (2010 - France)

MTV Video Music Fashion Trailblazer Award (2019)

Is Marc Jacobs Owned By Louis Vuitton?

Marc Jacobs is owned by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). The group acquired a majority stake in the Marc Jacobs brand in 1997, the same year that Jacobs was appointed as Louis Vuitton’s creative director.

Is Marc Jacobs Luxury?

Marc Jacobs is a designer brand and with accessible price points within the luxury space, it could be considered as affordable luxury.

The eponymous label occupies an interesting space within the fashion world, bridging the gap between high-luxury brands, such as Hermès, and premium contemporary fashion brands such as Toteme or Ganni.

However, Louis Vuitton designs from the Marc Jacobs era would be considered as high-end luxury.

5 Fun Facts About Marc Jacobs

1. Acrylic nails: For the past few years, Marc Jacobs has been wearing creative acrylic nails, which he showcases on Instagram.

2. Daisy: The iconic fragrance was released in 2007 and named after The Great Gatsby’s Daisy Buchanan.

3. Grunge: His 1992 grunge collection from Perry Ellis is revered today, yet at the same it cost him his job, as Jacobs was subsequently dropped from Perry Ellis.

4. Neville Jacobs: His dog, a bull terrier called Neville, was known as the ‘world’s most fashionable dog’ and has an Instagram account with 170K followers. It is not public information whether the dog is still with us, however, the account has not been updated since 2023.

5. Marc by Sofia: Jacobs's friend and collaborator, Sofia Coppola, debuted her documentary about the designer in September of 2025 at the Venice Film Festival.

Where To Buy Marc Jacobs Online?

The Marc Jacobs brand retails on the company’s official website as well as on other retailers' websites. If you’re looking to shop archival pieces, the luxury resale market is a great place to find designs from the designer’s tenure at Louis Vuitton.

myGemma is a top luxury resale space for designer accessories, including brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, and many more. Boasting a team of experts, each item is authenticated before being listed online and on the app. Authenticity is guaranteed or your money back.

Check out our Trustpilot reviews to see what our customers think of us.

Shop Louis Vuitton Online

How To Sell Designer Accessories Online?

Looking to sell your designer items? myGemma offers three options. You can either sell to us directly, consign, or trade in your luxury goods.

Sell Directly: The fastest-selling option. From price quote to payment, it can take as little as 24 hours.

Consignment: If your priority is the selling price over speed of sale, then consignment is your best option. Earn up to 25% extra when you sell through consignment.

Trade-In: Alternatively, trade in your items for extra value and receive credit towards your next purchase.

Whichever option you choose, myGemma takes the difficulty out of selling. Get started on your selling journey by clicking the button below and filling out the simple online form.

Sell Designer Accessories Online