HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY MARC JACOBS

I had a brief acquaintance with designer Marc Jacobs sometime in the late 70's or early 80's, not sure. But I liked to shop at the then hot fashion boutique Charivari on the Upper West Side of New York City. And this skinny teenager named Marc became my regular salesperson there, and was always very helpful.

Sometime later, after returning from a trip to Paris, where I had bleached my short hair blond and discovered the designs of Kansai Yamamoto, I was invited to do some makeup on a photo shoot for Kansai Yamamoto, of all people. And there, as a stylist, was the same Marc from Charivari, and he was with a friend of his that designed jewelry. This friend, wish I could remember his name, took a fancy to me and walked me home after the photo shoot. And I remember talking to Marc on the phone and he telling me that his friend liked me. Unfortunately, I felt his friend was too young for me and so I wasn't interested.

Flash forward a few years and I read in the press that MARC JACOBS has been signed to replace Perry Ellis (one of the early AIDS victims) at PERRY ELLIS the company. And then shortly after, Marc was fired from Perry Ellis. But, thank God, he was able to recover from that early disaster and go on to become the golden boy of his own label MARC JACOBS, a spin off called MARC, and the famous French brand LOUIS VUITTON, which he has turned into one of the hippest brands going. 

I've continued to follow his career and life with it's ups and downs. And these days he is everywhere. Drinking diet Coke, building up his muscles, getting lot's of tattoos, and dating lot's of porn stars. All while wearing a skirt or dress and smiling all the way to the bank. So happy birthday Marc. And may you continue to design and enjoy your success for another 50 years!