Marc Jacobs leaves Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs has announced his departure from luxury brand Louis Vuitton, following speculation on the subject last week. LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault confirmed the news following Jacobs’ final show for the brand at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday 2^nd October, marking the end of his incredible 16 year tenure, under which the fashion house became the most lucrative in the world.

Jacobs’ final show echoed his very first show for the label, but now created entirely in black; a poignant move, which also hinted of nostalgia and mourning. Designs referenced his greatest past works, such as his reconstructed train station, escalators, a fountain, a giant clock and the huge white carousel his models rode on to showcase his SS12 collection.

The acclaimed designer dedicated the show to all of the women who have inspired him, including Kate Moss and Coco Chanel, before Bernard Arnault led guests in a standing ovation.

While there had been rumours surrounding Jacobs’ potential departure and the show itself was spilling with symbols, subtext and signature styles, he insisted that, actually, the decision had only been made that day:

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Two weeks ago when he arrived back in Paris, Bernard said, “The future of Marc Jacobs will require so much of your and Robert's attention that at some point you will have to decide when you will make it your last show.” But he left it to us to decide…And we had just - probably brought on by the [Women’s Wear Daily] story and all the rumours - we just decided like [today]."

Louis Vuitton is yet to confirm who his successor will be, although Nicolas Ghesquiere (former lead designer at Balenciaga) is believed to be a potential candidate.

Alexandra Shulman, editor of British Vogue, articulated just how significant Marc Jacobs’ time at Vuitton has been, and how sorely he and his creative flair will be missed: "Marc has provided fashion with so much during his years at Vuitton…It's important to know how to exit, as well as arrive, and it's going to be exciting to see how this impacts on the creativity in his own line."

Clearly, whoever takes over the role in place of Jacobs, they are certainly going to have big (and, of course fabulous) shoes to fill.

Photo credit: G.6sou / Foter / CC BY-ND

Marc Jacobs leaves Louis Vuitton

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