2007 André Leon Talley Lifetime Achievement Award

“Marc Jacobs is an American original. His style transcends references. In his collections at Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs, and in Paris at Louis Vuitton, he registers the distinctive imprint of a visionary who works without command. Provocation demands a sophisticated culture and philosophy 
of modernity.

In the words of the late Diana Vreeland, in Marc’s world, ‘Elegance is refusal.’”


About Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs is one of America’s premier fashion designers. Honored six times by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Jacobs’ collection includes the Marc Jacobs Collection, Marc by Marc Jacobs, shoes, handbags, eyewear, fragrances, watches, accessories and a home collection.

Born in New York City, Jacobs attended Parsons School of Design, where he designed his first collection of hand-knit sweaters commissioned and sold by Barbara Weiser under the label Marc Jacobs for Marc and Barbara for the Weiser family’s well-known stores, Charivari.

In 1984, Jacobs showed his senior collection at Parsons. Robert Duffy, an executive with Ruben Thomas Inc., was in the audience. After seeing Jacobs’ collection, Duffy asked Jacobs to develop a ready-to-wear collection for the company under the Sketchbook label. Jacobs and Duffy soon formed Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc., a partnership based on two very simple concepts: a love for fashion and a commitment to quality. The partnership and its original concepts remain the cornerstones of the company today.

In 1986, backed by Kashiyama USA Inc., Jacobs designed his first collection bearing the Marc Jacobs label. The following year, Jacobs received the distinct honor of being the youngest designer ever to be awarded the fashion industry’s highest tribute when he was awarded the CFDA’s Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent. Jacobs later joined Perry Ellis as vice president of women’s design. While at Perry Ellis, he created the designer collection and oversaw various women’s licensees. In 1992, the CFDA recognized Jacobs as Womenswear Designer of the Year.

In January 1997, Jacobs and Duffy joined Louis Vuitton. In his position as artistic director, Jacobs works on many of the French luxury house’s lines including handbags, men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, shoes and small leather goods. Later that year, the first Marc Jacobs store opened in New York’s SoHo district and Jacobs was recognized by the CFDA as Womenswear Designer of the Year.

Jacobs and Duffy introduced Marc by Marc Jacobs with a Spring/Summer 2001 runway show. The Marc by Marc Jacobs menswear collection was first presented for the resort 2001 season. Both collections have continued to grow exponentially to include shoes, handbags and other signature accessories.

The Marc Jacobs Home Collection was launched in 2003; the line includes crystal, china, Murano glass, sterling silver, cashmere pillows and other luxury accessories. In 2005, the company launched its first watch line with partner Fossil Inc.

In January 2006, the company opened its first freestanding store in Europe – in Paris’ famed Palais Royale. Multiple freestanding stores and shop-in-shops continue to open domestically and around the world. This year, Jacobs opened a multi-brand store in historic Savannah, Ga., as well as stores in London, Chicago, Tokyo and Moscow. Additionally, the company will produce the first collection of Marc by Marc Jacobs eyewear and will release its first Marc by Marc Jacobs fragrance in the fall.

The company is still committed to the concepts it was based on and continues to support charitable organizations as it expands. Jacobs is proud to have collaborated with dozens of charities and looks forward to forging new partnerships in the future.