Marc Jacobs takes his final bow at Louis Vuitton
It is officially the end of an era; after sixteen years, Marc Jacobs is leaving Louis Vuitton. The news came following his final show at Paris Fashion Week, which ended with a standing ovation. The bittersweet conclusion to the Marc Jacobs and Luis Vuitton epoch celebrated the brand’s successes through a look back at the designer’s greatest hits. Intense black colors filled the runway and stage sets from previous shows, while Jacobs dedicated his finale to all the women who have inspired him and “the showgirl in every one of them.” Jacobs leaves behind very big shoes to fill, as he singlehandedly catapulted the brand from a recognizable leather goods retailer to a fashion powerhouse, complete with a ready-to-wear line.
Craving more time to focus on his namesake line, which recently expanded into the cosmetics industry, Marc Jacobs is heading toward fashion domination with an IPO to come within the next few years. According to Women’s Wear Daily, “LVMH officials believe the Marc Jacobs business could explode given sufficient investment and support, including the undivided attention of Jacobs and Duffy.” LVMH is comprised of many of the world’s most luxurious brands, including Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs; along with Céline, Givenchy, Kenzo, Fendi, Emilio Pucci, and Donna Karan, to name a few; and LVMH recognized the attention the Marc Jacobs brand requires, making it a necessary decision to bring Jacobs back to his eponymous line.
Though LVMH’s chairman and CEO, Bernard Arnault, has declined to name Jacobs’ successor, rumors are swirling Nicolas Ghesquière of Balenciaga is the frontrunner for the coveted spot. We will be waiting with bated breath for the announcement, though Arnault is steadfast that “no decision will be made immediately.”
