Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton [DVD]

'Fashion is just a job,'' Marc Jacobs says in Loïc Prigent's documentary about Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton. The usually shy Marc Jacobs agreed to this documentary and gave great access to Mr Prignet. Marc Jacobs in this film comes across as a really likable, extremely talented young man. He appears to be a health fanatic from all of the vitmins and minerals and health food he eats. At the same time, you would be hard pressed not to find him with a lit cigarette at all times. His daily schedule looks like a constant grind. In this film we see how Jacobs goes from an inspiration to the commercial product. One fascinating scene shows us Marc Jacobs in a meeting with polka-dot artist Yayoi Kusama. And, soon thereafter we see the candy-colored dots in Vuitton's spring '07 line. 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. An odd coupling, yes, but it has proved to be very successful.

Most of us have heard of Marc Jacobs. Certainly, the young group knows him as the most influential and interesting contemporary American designer. He is slight of build, but beaming with energy, as he eats his protein bars and drinks his bottled water. Everywhere, in every country, bottled water was on the counter, desk, airplane rest and table. You might think in France you would see coffee, or cafe, but, no, the bottled water appears as if in a vision. The film allows us a peek into the design and production process. We watch a roomful of people designing and presenting inspiration boards and collages. Marc Jacobs takes an old acrylic purple sweater from the 70s and inspires a new cashmere version. We see the workshops operating at a frantic pace to get the collection ready. Seamstresses go without sleep and then an assistant works feverishly to finish a dress and then rides a motorcycle across town with the dress as the show begins.

We get to see Marc Jacobs at art museums buying an eclectic mix of art. The art adorns his walls at his work place and at home. We have a glimpse of his home, very modern and in the Japanese format. He tends to wear casual clothing, tee shirts, they may be hand made, but who knows? His good friend and business partner, Robert Duffy joins him in many scenes. In 1984, Robert Duffy, then an executive at the Ruben Thomas sportswear company, hired Mr. Jacobs to design a collection called Sketchbook; Mr. Duffy and Mr. Jacobs have continued to work as partners

This is a very entertaining film of the fashion world. The down to earth business of making fashions. Whatever, Marc Jacobs designs, he seems to be a favorite of the rich and famous. We see his famous friends and they fawn all over him, as they would any fabulous designer. But, he is able to maintain his privacy and is always a little bit removed. The people he works with love him, many have been with him for years. Watch for the labels and the name- Marc Jacobs will be with us for a long time to come.

Recommended. prisrob 10-12-09

I discovered this documentary on youtube and was completely hooked, but it was in parts so got quite frustrating to watch the whole thing that way. When I found it on Amazon i ordered it straight away. This is a documentary that anyone who is creative and artistic would enjoy, it lets you see inside the design process of the Marc Jacobs label and Louis Vuitton for which he is creative director. You see where he gets inspiration from,you see his staff;including pattern cutters, seamstresses and shoe makers, and soooo much more. Its funny, interesting and exciting,looking behind the glitz and glamour of the industry and showing the creation of collections from the initial ideas to the finished product. LOVE IT.

The perfect DVD if working all hours starts to get too much. This inspires me to work harder and for longer, when I'm up at 5am doing uni work this is what makes me carry on. Marc Jacobs is a clever man that constantly smokes and works every minute of everyday. It gives you insight into how fashion brands work and what Marc Jacobs has achieved. BUY IT!