Can Everyone Leave Marc Jacobs Alone?
Marc Jacobs. Photo: Getty Images
The conundrum of modern culture is this: put people on a pedestal, expect them to do an exceptional job, expect them to be heroes in their field, and when that happens (whether it’s a runway collection or a film or selling a million albums), dig into their personal life. Like it matters. And the work becomes secondary, the closed door activities and attitudes to the forefront.
On Sunday, The New York Post published a story entitled “What’s Wrong With Marc Jacobs? Mystery of Business Struggles, Bizarre Behavior” which essentially condemned everything the designer has ever done even though his career has been nothing short of miraculous. (If you think about it in sports terms, he’s been a professional athlete for a staggering 31 years.) The article began with his departure from Louis Vuitton two years ago, citing that he seemed to be at a professional stalemate because he has yet to reach an IPO, and then conveniently cut and pasted quotes from different stories over a long stretch of time to support the argument that he’s somehow lost it, all the while unearthing anecdotes about his past and his addictions—which the designer has been very open about.
From a personal standpoint, rehashing someone’s battle with addiction is just gross and unnecessary. As someone who has a lot of friends who have gone through rehab and seen firsthand how heartbreakingly difficult it is, that throwing stones at glass houses thing doesn’t fly. PS - It’s also none of our business!
In fact, Jacobs is an open book, we don’t need to pry. He’s happy to share. After he accidentally posted a nude pic on Instagram earlier this year, he trumped his own folly by making T-shirts printed with “It’s Yours to Try,” which mimicked the caption on said “salacious” post. We live in a world of over sharing, if you’re not into it, don’t follow him, or anyone for that matter. None of it should matter as long as the clothes hold up. And they do!
A look from Marc Jacobs Spring-Summer 2016. Photo: Getty Images
And to be honest, thank god for Marc Jacobs in New York. For as long as I’ve been covering fashion, he’s been the designer that piques everyone’s interest in this town. He stages expansive, elaborate shows that are not only supremely entertaining, but are also chock-full of fashion and pop culture references so layered that it often takes a day to process the collection. In September, he took over New York’s Ziegfeld Theater for a runway spectacular that was dubbed “One Night Only” and was one of the best shows of the season. It featured every top model (as well as curvy rocker Beth Ditto!) and clothes that were glamorous, exuberant, and fun. The whole staging, which featured a full orchestra that played Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage,” was so incredible that set designer Stefan Beckman told us afterwards that the employees of the theater, who had never witnessed anything like it, actually cried. Famed director Lana Wachowski was in attendance (her first fashion show) and applauded his ability to “take models from the screen and understand the relationship between film and fashion.” Every major fashion outlet listed the Spring-Summer 2016 show in its top 10 list. Kerry Washington immediately pulled a silver sequined frock for the Emmy Awards. His clothes also were featured on back-to-back issues of Vogue this year, first Nicole Kidman in August and then the grand poobah of all them all, Beyoncé in September. That’s rather unheard of.
He’s inspired by anything and everything. You can say a lot of things about Marc Jacobs, but there is no doubting that the man knows his shit. Anyway, he doesn’t need us to defend him. He did a remarkable job of doing that himself last night on Instagram.
“Those creative individuals who like everyone else has feelings, a sexual appetite, “issues”, character defects, and professional ups and downs,” he wrote in an open letter to the Post’s Maureen Callahan. At the time of publishing this story, his Insta rebuttal had garnered nearly 10,000 likes and 1,400 comments, nearly all in support of the designer. “just because you are an idol it does not mean that things cannot hurt you. that was amazing!,” wrote @talitask.
Marc Jacobs’s Instagram. Photo: @themarcjacobs
“Mr. Jacobs I have even more respect for you now. You are a total badass and I love your authenticity. What you just said could not be more true. Much love, respect, and support for you. Xo,” wrote @godessy.
The Post has since gone on to publish another story about a reported “wild 10 person orgy” that MJ hosted at his home over the weekend. Jacobs made his publicist’s job easy by taking to Instagram once again: “Wild??? I’d say “MILD.” And to whichever guest benefitted from calling this misinformation into the Post, I only wish you good health, happiness, and a long life to enjoy taking advantage of the kindness of strangers and talking shit about others. #reallyqueen.”
That story might as well have been called “Marc Jacobs has sex!” Big deal! The thing is that Jacobs is a rebel, a provocateur. He always has been, and that’s what we love about him. Warts and all. He’s incredibly in tune with the times and acts accordingly. You can’t chide someone for being exactly the thing that you expect him to be. If he suddenly became boring, he would get flack for that too. The guy is not perfect, but who is? It’s a matter of respect. Fifty years from now, when people are dissecting the history of American fashion, his work will be listed among the greats. He deserves better.
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