Marc Jacobs is leaving Louis Vuitton after being with the brand for 16
years. LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault confirmed the news after
the show. Jacobs wants to focus on his own label as it heads towards an
IPO.
"Marc has provided fashion with so much during his years at Vuitton,"
said Vogue
editor Alexandra Shulman this morning. "It's important to know how to
exit, as well as arrive, and it's going to be exciting to see how this
impacts on the creativity in his own line."
Jacobs' final show for the brand was presented today, created entirely
in black to celebrate his greatest hits, as was his first show for the
label. The set included pieces from past shows such as a carousel,
escalators, a lift, a fountain and a large clock.
The designer dedicated the show to all the women who have inspired him
and "the showgirl in every one of them". Bernard Arnault led a standing
ovation for the designer.
The IPO is set to take place within the next three years. LVMH, which
owns Marc Jacobs, is said to be keen for Jacobs to focus on his label as
an IPO approaches.
Louis Vuitton hasn't named a successor yet, but former Balenciaga
creative director Nicolas Ghesquière is a reported frontrunner.
Watch Jacobs' last show
here.