unparalleled consistency

New york ?§C Marc Jacobs may be the man nobody can alter the direction of the fashion juggernaut by way of single silhouette. If other designers are performing sleek and slim, he'll do big and poufy. If everyone else is doing neutral colours, he'll go bold.
There have been the grunge collections, the granny collections, harem pants, punk prom dresses and ultra-chic skirt suits. If they seem from stage with trends observed elsewhere on runways throughout a particular time, the others come around during the weeks and months that follow, just when Jacobs is ready to move ahead once more.
Yet, whilst he swaps out of the particulars in rapid fire, there's nearly unparalleled consistency, as well: He likes surprises, requires risks, embraces showmanship, pairs patterns and textures, finds balance between artistry and commercialism, and sees the importance in a visual statement.
He keeps the jaded industry on its toes ?a sometimes with a small arrogance. But editors, stylists, stores and celebrities appear to keep firmly supportive of Jacobs with constant toasts to his talent.
Among the largest lovefests will come Monday at the yearly Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, a splashy ceremony at Lincoln Center to be hosted by Anderson Cooper with Lady Gaga getting among the prizes. Jacobs continues to be chosen simply because lifetime achievement winner, a title formerly won by Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent and Geoffrey Beene, for whom the award is now named.
Jacobs, who currently has won many occasions in the aggressive categories of womenswear, menswear and accessories, could go house double-fisted: He could be nominated as the year's greatest women's designer once more, this time facing Alexander Wang and also the style duo Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler.
Wang and Proenza Schouler are the new hipster guard, but they're not considered as influential or directional as Jacobs, who, at 48, isn't ready pass the torch.
"It's crazy," says Jacobs. "I mean, I have a whole lot much more to complete. `Achievement' sounds last. I'd like to call it `Lifetime of achievement ?a and for what's left to attain.'"
He adds, "I have no intention of slowing down. I don't relaxation anyway."
Jacobs doesn't possess the jet-setter image that some of his peers do. Photos do not surface of his lengthy holidays within the Caribbean or treks in exotic places, and he's not a staple of the red carpet or the charity circuit. One thinks of Jacobs because the quirky downtown guy, even when he's at the forefront of two mega manufacturers ?a his namesake collection, plus Louis Vuitton and all of the subsidiaries that go about it, such as the contemporary-priced Marc by Marc Jacobs line, swimwear, sunglasses, footwear and purses.
He's also an avid customer of art and culture, such as audio, films and contemporary paintings and sculpture. Interiors are a enthusiasm at the minute, and hubby has started to collect Art Deco furnishings. Probably the most peaceful factors of his day are mornings in the fitness center and evening walks with his two English bull terriers. Alas, while he splits his time between New york and Paris, the canines live in France, so he doesn't usually get his down time with them.
They launched a new version of their business in 1993, however it didn't have an instant effect. It chugged along until Jacobs started moonlighting for Louis Vuitton, which brought monetary backing from powerhouse mother or father company LVMH.