image: New York Times
A recent interview and review of Marc Jacobs's Lifetime Achievement Award at the CDFAs in the New York Times was a strange mix of backhand compliments with a bit of a bite. The compliments were of the he has achieved so much but isn't he a bit young to receive a lifetime award, almost concluding Mr Jacobs was no longer a hip go to designer. The upshot of the article was the loss of popularity of the brand.
Now there are things that Marc Jacobs does that irritates me, mainly because he and Sofia Coppola get into this obscure, retro discovery-itis and appropriate it to peddle as theirs. But that is just me, I like references but without smug superiority.
On the whole Marc Jacobs is too young to get such an award but equally he has been so prolific and influential, he has achieved a significant amount. He boundary pushing of the 'itis' that so annoys me is the very thing that has inspired a whole host of wannabes and young pretenders, who are perceived to be more trendy, fashionable these days.
The trouble with fashion is your crown gets stolen by young pretenders until they also end up burdened with the responsibility of retail and margins. Given the uber responsibilities of his own labels and Louis Vuitton, Mr Jacobs is really still at the top of his game.
I also feel there was a slight on his 'signature look' almost a view he didn't have one. But I share 3 loves with Mr Jacobs, polka dots, mixing vibrant colours together and jarring shapes. He does a mean cut in trousers and he still has another lifetime of fashion design to deliver.
images: Style.com Marc by Marc Jacobs & Marc Jacobs rtw fall 2011
