Marc Jacobs Leaves Louis Vuitton Art Direction

Critical to Jacobs' creative strategy were the designers's hugely successful collaborations with contemporary artists, including Stephen Sprouse (2001), Takashi Murakami (2005), Richard Prince (2007) and Yayoi Kusama (2012), which played with Louis Vuitton's key brand signifiers: the "LV" logo and famous monogram. The Murakami collaboration alone generated $300 million in sales. So it was good-bye on the runway.

The announcement of Jacob's departure came only moments after the designer presented his Spring/Summer 2014 collection for Louis Vuitton in Paris during last Fashion Week, an all-black and gothic swan song incorporating sets from his most memorable shows for the brand - including a fountain, dual escalators, and a carousel - araund which models paraded in dark, funeral clothes and black, tribal headdresses. Jacobs dedicated the collection to many women who've touched or influenced him during his decade and a half in Paris, including designers muses Coco Chanel, Rei Kawakubo, and Miuccia Prada. "to the showgirl in all of us." was how he signed off his program notes.

The "Marc Jacobs may be the best and most know, succesful brand in the US2, continued Arnault, affirming his commitment to further scaling the brand, wich, under the guidance of the group and over the course of 16 years, has grown from generating about $20 million in annual sales to almost $1billion. "I think and I hope it's the beginning of a fantastic business and creative story. I's already a fantastic creative story", said Arnault.