The End of an Era

Marc Jacobs taking his final bow

After 16 years as the designer of the prestigious French label, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs is leaving Louis Vuitton.  Jacobs is leaving the Paris fashion house to focus on his self-titled label based in New York.

So on May 2^nd Jacobs debuted his final collection for Louis Vuitton. Some thought the all-black décor and clothes had mournful implications but it was surprisingly and up-beat occasion. “Jacobs dedicated the collection to the many women who've touched or influenced him during his decade and a half in Paris, including designer muses Coco Chanel, Rei Kawakubo, and Miuccia Prada. You saw bits and pieces of their work in this collection, in addition to callbacks to his own greatest hits. To the showgirl in all of us,"

The Louis Vuitton show is always the highlight of Paris week. All the clothes were elaborately ornamented with combinations of jet beads, crystals, and glossy feathers for a showgirl inspired collection. Each model wore an extravagant headpiece with ostrich feathers designed by Stephen Jones. Even though this was such an ornate collection there were still elements of street style, which are always seen in Marc Jacobs New York shows. “Jacobs seemed to be making a point with those all-Americanisms, and a timely one at that, given his imminent refocusing on his own New York-born brand. It was perhaps no surprise that the American press led the standing ovation.”