5. Marc Jacobs and his trendsetting style
Raised in the New York tri-state area, Marc Jacobs moved from New Jersey to Long Island to the Bronx because of his mother’s serial dating habits and failed marriages. Frustrated with his family life, Jacobs moved to the Upper West Side to live with his grandmother. Here, he flourished, exploring the city, his sexuality and his style. After graduating from the High School of Art and Design in Midtown East, the New York fashion designer studied womenswear design at Parsons School of Design. He applied to the design school because Perry Ellis, a designer at Charivari — the store he worked at in high school — told him he should attend if fashion was his passion. From here, Jacobs moved up in the fashion world, founding his own company in 1984.
Today, many applaud him for designing clothes that inspire fashion trends, and he allegedly inspired the “grunge” trend in the 90s. Jacobs stands out against other New York fashion designers because of his bold New York Fashion Week shows. In 2017, he drew inspiration from old New York nightclubs to present a show with 1,500 lightbulbs hanging from the ceiling and greasy floors. These magical ambiances enhance his clothing for those lucky enough to attend his show.
