Marc Jacobs is an American fashion designer born in 1963 in New York City. He attended the Parsons School of Design, winning several awards, and began his career designing for Perry Ellis. Jacobs went on to found his own label Marc Jacobs in 1986. He is now the head designer of both the Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs lines. In 1997, Jacobs became the creative director of luxury brand Louis Vuitton, where he has had much success creating their first ready-to-wear clothing line. He is known for his grunge-inspired and layered styles that blend high fashion with casual aesthetics.

4. BIRTH: Marc Jacobs was born in New York City on April 9, 1963. EDUCATION: Attended the High School of Art and Design and pursued a post-secondary education at the Parsons New School of Art and Design in New York City where he won the Perry Ellis Golden Thimble award, the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award, and the Design Student of the Year Award, all in 1984. While attending Parsons, he created and sold his first line of knit-wear sweaters for Reuben Thomas, Inc.

5. APPRENTICESHIPS: Once graduating from Parsons, he began to design at Perry Ellis where his “grunge” collection became noticed in the fashion scene. Jacobs joined Robert Duffy and formed Jacobs Duffy Designs Inc., which still continues to this day. In 1989 the two men joined women’s design unit, Tristan Russo. INLUENCES: Jacobs’s father died when he was only seven and was sent to live with his grandmother. His grandmother taught him how to knit and he often stated that she was one of the biggest influences in his life. She encouraged his ambitions as a designer and would often be found boasting to the butcher that he was going to be the next Calvin Klein. When Jacobs was only 15 he worked in the trendy Charivari boutique as a stock boy where he met fashion designer Perry Ellis, who he believed embodied the essence of cool. Perry Ellis inspired Jacobs and gave him hope for a future in fashion.

6. In 1986, Duffy and Jacobs, backed by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami were able to design the first line under the Marc Jacobs label. Jacobs is the head designer for the upscale Marc Jacobs line, as well as the more affordably priced Marc by Marc Jacobs. His designs are described as brightly coloured, impeccably detailed, flawlessly structured, and fashion-forward with a classic twist. Marc Jacobs explains about the thought process behind his designs, "I love that reaction of love or hate. It's indifference that bores me to death." Since 1997, he has been the Creative Director of the famous French design house Louis Vuitton which was primarily known for their luxury luggage until he created their first ready-to-wear clothing line. The label has worked in conjunction with Stephen Sprouse, Richard Prince and rapper Kanye West.

8. Marc Jacob’s known for looks : Grunge & Layering He is very inspired by pop culture, contemporary art, and music, a lot of which is in his fashion. Growing up , he was always different and really enjoyed the punk scene and always wanted to fit with but was always just a poseur with them. From that past memory he created his own “Grunge” look for his clothing line, which is recognized throughout this collections. “...Awkwardness gives me comfort” –Marc Jacobs Layering also adds to Marc Jacob’s look, putting things together that to the normal eye wouldn’t work, but with his vision he’s always making trends. As quoted perfectly from style.com “Whatever his latest craze, the look is going to be pretty but not too polished, feminine but not too provocative, hip but never trying too hard”

12. Marc Jacobs is the head designer for his very own company Marc by Marc Jacobs. He is very independent and didn’t like having to share his vision with other people. He has various workers for his company, to sew, get fabric etc, but he is the only designer. In 1997, Jacobs was appointed Creative Director of luxury French fashion house, Louis Vuitton, where he created the company's first ready-to-wear line. Jacobs has collaborated with many popular artists for his Louis Vuitton collections. As of 2010, Jacobs remains the Creative Director for Louis Vuitton. Marc by Marc Jacobs Company: The company is still going strong with Marc leading the way. Even though he jumps from his design company to Louis Vuitton’s. He has a business partner he first started his company with, Robert Duffy. Employees right now: Bruce Bieber, Becky Toney, Raphael Myrthil, Stephanie Sorensen, Courtney Lindahl, Tina Goldberg

13. Interesting Facts: In February 2008 Marc Jacobs was accused of plagiarism. It was revealed that a scarf from his collection has the exact same design as a scarf created in the 1950s by Swedish designer GostaOlofsson. Drama between Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs: Ocsar de la Renta saying how Jacobs is a mere copyist. The New York Times critic Guy Trebay has written "unlike the many brand-name designers who promote the illusion that their output results from a single remarkable creativity, Mr. Jacobs makes no pretence that fashion emerges full blown from the head of one solitary genius" Known For: Creating designs without following any trends. VS.

14. Celebrities with his line: The audience for his fashion shows typically includes celebrities Drew Barrymore, Scarlett Johansson, Ashley Olsen, Mary Kate Olsen, Sarah Jessica Parker, Winona Ryder, Uma Thurman. Major Accomplishments: Chief Designer for Louis Vuitton. Youngest Designer to ever receive the CFDA Award for 'Best New Fashion Talent' in 1987. Also received 'Designer of the Year' in 1992.