Marc Jacobs to exit at Louis Vuitton; Nicholas Ghesquire named successor

Photo via NewYorkTimes.com

STORY BY JESSICA WEINGARTEN

A major influence in the fashion industry, Marc Jacobs announced last month that he would be stepping down as creative director of Louis Vuitton after 16 years with the brand.

His resignation was fuelled by his desire to focus on his own namesake lines, Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

After weeks of speculation, LVMH Inc. confirmed on Monday that Nicholas Ghesquire, the former creative director of the French fashion house Balenciaga, would be replacing Jacobs.

Jacobs showed his last collection for Louis Vuitton at the Spring/Summer 2014 fashion shows in Paris. He was met with a standing ovation when he walked the runway at the finale for the last time.

He was credited to having success at both a major fashion house as well as through his own namesake lines.

Major designers such as Karl Lagerfeld (of Fendi and Chanel) and John Galliano (of Christian Dior)’s namesake clothing lines have not seen sales comparable to those of Marc Jacobs’ lines.

The New York Times reported that there were rumours of LVMH Inc. being sometimes unhappy with Jacobs for his reportedly “erratic” behaviour which led to his resignation, however, Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH Inc., has stated that this is untrue.

Jacobs, who currently lives in Paris, will be returning to New York City, where his companies are based.

Jacobs’ design work continues to influence both the fashion industry and students alike.

“I remember watching The Simple Life and saw Paris Hilton with Louis Vuitton luggage and the cherry blossom-print bag,” said Elise Goody, former copy editor of Flare magazine. “I told myself that when I got my first ‘real job’ I’d buy a bag of my own. After two of my articles were published in The National Post, I purchased a Louis Vuitton Speedy handbag. It’s the most luxurious thing that I own.”

“For one of my first make-up gigs, I used the makeup at Louis Vuitton’s Spring 2012 collection as inspiration,” said Agatha Gorzelska, a graduate of Sheridan’s aesthetics program. “I loved how light and airy it all was. I try to pay attention to a lot of fashion shows, especially the larger-scale ones like Louis Vuitton, so I can be aware of upcoming makeup trends. I also try and recreate the looks myself as practice for photoshoots or styling jobs.”

Jacobs will continue to show his namesake lines at New York Fashion Week. He will also continue work for his namesake cosmetics line, exclusive to Sephora, that launched August of this year.

The Sheridan Sun has produced a timeline chronicling Jacobs’ career.

Watch Jacobs’ last show for Louis Vuitton below.