Marc Jacobs Honored At The Parsons Fashion Benefit

Anna Wintour and Maxwell Osbourne were among other fashion industry icons in attendance Tuesday at The New School’s Parsons School of Design’s Fashion Benefit honoring alum Marc Jacobs and the LVMH group. The annual celebration took place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s River Pavilion and showcased collections designed by the school's graduating class.

After guests were thoroughly impressed by the students work, including a womenswear collection focused on fabrics and designs that would ultimately cater to those in wheelchairs, Wintour introduced Jacobs. The Vogue Editor in Chief described the designer as a man "who tries to imbue everything he creates with meaning."

Offering thanks to Wintour and the impressive nine hundred and forty people before him, Jacobs accepted his award, but not before taking a moment to share with the class his experience at Parsons and on the road to becoming a successful designer.

As I am sure most of us in the fashion industry, whether we are designing, selling, advertising or reporting have experienced, Jacobs was no exception to the doubts. His high school guidance counselor encouraged him to bank on a plan B as Parsons's competitive admissions would inevitably be a challenge. His response? "I will go to Parsons, or I will work in a video store."

Now that is what I like to call determination.

The designer fast forwards to his own senior night at Parsons, showcasing his work and meeting Ryan Duffy, his business partner of 28 years. It just goes to show that if you put your heart and soul into your work, what you put in you will get out. Marc Jacobs shows us that there is no one-size-fits-all road to success, but with plenty of initiative and dedication, your passion will thrive. Congrats, Mr. Jacobs, you've earned it!