Marc by Marc Jacobs to be discontinued

                 

After 14 years it seems we are finally saying goodbye to Marc by Marc Jacobs after it was announced this week that the brand will be folding into the main line ahead of their IPO which is looming somwhere in the near future.

Jacobs told WWD 'I've absolutely loved the last few seasons of MbMJ's young, cool, hip shows. It just feels like we weren't doing our job by showing two different collections with two different images'. Although some are still concerned as to how this will all work out, the move is not dissimilar to the one made by Dolce & Gabbana in 2011 who disbanded diffusion line D&G in order to 'put more strength and energy into other collections'.

This is not the first, nor by any means the last big change to happen to the brand in recent years. Robert Duffy, Jacobs business partner is set to take a step back from day to day operations and LVMH are offering more investment, meaning that the parent company will own 80% of the brand whilst Duffy and Jacobs themselves equally share the remaining 20%. 

Furthermore, 2013 saw Marc Jacobs step down from his role at Louis Vuitton among rumours that he was going to focus on his accessories line after the huge success experienced by Michael Kors.  Interestingly he seems to have followed in Kors lead this week after setting up his own Instagram page despite just last month telling Suzy Menkes 'I'm so appalled by the whole Social Media thing, I don't get it. It doesn't appeal to me'. Michael Kors by contrast, has in recent years embraced television advertising, Twitter and Instagram proving how adjusting with the times can be hugely beneficial for a brand after his IPO proved to be one of the most successful in the fashion industry.

The brand, which Marc Jacobs launched in 2001 with Robert Duffy in order to target a younger demographic, is currently headed by Luella Bartley and Katie Hillier, it remains unclear where their future lies or what will happen to the current MbMJ stores.

Ghesquire at Louis Vuitton

The fashion industry loves nothing if not a good gossip and the rumour mill yet again went into overdrive yesterday when an Australian magazine seemingly broke the news that Ghesquire was 'officially' to take the reigns at Louis Vuitton.  It didn't take long before the worlds press headed into a frenzy and the news became a global news story.

If you think about it logically, there is nothing about this story that doesn't make sense.  Ghesquire has been out of work - so to speak- for the past 10 months since leaving Kering owned Balenciaga, he is one of the most celebrated designers in the world and Louis Vuitton are one of the most celebrated brands in the world.  What's not to love about this decision??

Sadly for us Ghesquire-Louis fans however, Louis Vuitton put paid to the rumours by telling WWD that 'nothing has been decided'.  Although, before we all go and get downhearted about this most recent announcement, it is worth noting that they have only quashed rumours on the appointment - not that the fact that a deal is being reached.  Watch this space.

Philo For Vuitton?

Two weeks ago news broke that Bernard Arnault had handpicked Marc Jacobs to replace John Galliano at the helm of Louis Vuitton.  Something that was neither confirmed or denied by the fashion designer.  Today WWD has added more to the rumour mill by adding that Marc Jacobs is now officially in negotiations with the fashion giant this week.

Another rumour that has also emerged is that Phoebe Philo, a British designer best know for her work with Chloe and currently the creative director of Celine, is set to take over Louis Vuitton should Marc Jacobs choose to move.

All three companies, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Celine as well as Marc Jacobs are owned by fashion conglomerate LVMH.

More to follow.

Louis Vuitton or Dior?

Many names have been thrown away this last six months as to who is going to be replacing John Galliano at the helm of Christian Dior, most high profile of which was Alaia.  Today it emerged on Vogue's online page that a source close to LVMH CEO (and 4th richest man in the world) Bernard Arnault has told a Brazilian magazine that Marc Jacobs is top of his list,  fuelling rumours that Jacobs is planing to switch fashion houses.

The source also said that it is being considered for Jacobs to oversee both fashion houses at the same time - which fashion insiders seem t think is unlikely.  Jacobs denied rumours in March that he was a candidate for the position,  but neither the designer or LVMH have commented on todays speculations.