Marc Jacobs is an American fashion designer best known for being the creative designer of Louis Vuitton and the founder of his own fashion label of the same name. He was born on April 9, 1963, in New York City, and was raised primarily by his paternal grandmother. After attending the High School of Art and Design, Jacobs went on to Parsons School of Design. In 1984, he was awarded the Perry Ellis & Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award and was also Design Student of the Year.
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Jacobs’s fashion career started even before he graduated from Parsons. While he was still studying, he designed and sold his first line of sweaters. During the 1980s, Jacobs partnered with Robert Duffy and created Jacobs Duffy Designs. The following year, the designer released his first collection under the “Marc Jacobs” label.
The line made him the youngest designer to receive the Perry Ellis Award for “New Fashion Talent” from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Several years later, Jacobs produced his first menswear collection. He was then appointed as the creative director of the French fashion house, Louis Vuitton, in 1997. Jacobs worked under the label and collaborated with numerous famous artists before his departure in 2014.
Since the end of his tenure at Louis Vuitton, Jacobs has focused on his own fashion label. With a career spanning multiple decades, the designer had grown familiar with controversies surrounding his creative choices and relationships. Although Jacobs is now more open about his sexuality, it hasn’t always been the case. So, is Marc Jacobs gay? Read on below to find out.
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Marc Jacobs’ Relationships
Even when it comes to his personal life, Jacobs continues to defy stereotypes. The designer has only been in three official relationships throughout his time under the spotlight. From his failed engagement to finally wedding his long-term partner, Jacobs has experienced plenty of ups and downs. Here’s a summary of the fashion legend’s iconic affairs.
Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone (2007-2010)
According to reports, Jacobs met Brazilian entrepreneur and swimwear designer Lorenzo Martone in 2007. However, the couple didn’t officially become an item until the following year. The relationship was considered to be serious and they even got engaged at one point. Unfortunately, the pair called it quits two years after their engagement.
Martone acknowledged the breakup on Twitter but has not commented further on the matter. Despite the split, sources have insisted that Jacobs and Martone remained good friends, with the latter even attending one of his fashion shows a few years later.
Marc Jacobs and Harry Louis (2011-2013)
Not too long after his breakup from Martone, Jacobs crossed paths with ex-porn star and chocolatier Harry Louis. The duo hit it off and dated until the designer’s exit from Louis Vuitton. Compared to Jacobs’ private separation from his ex-fiance, Louis decided to release a public statement regarding their split.
In 2014, Louis posted a photo of the couple with a shattered glass filter. He then poured his heart out in the caption.
So I would like to be the first one to share with you all the news… Me and Marc have decided not carry on with our relationship as boyfriends. The distance and lack of time because of work schedules aren’t really something realistic, and he’s such a beautiful and amazing person, that I think he deserve a bf who will stay at least in one of the cities that he leaves [sic] in… Also, I need that too… We love each other very much, and that it was a decision from both!!!! Every special minute we’ve spent together will be treasured, and a new chapter of our both lives has started… Both of us focusing in work, and make it work!!!!”
Harry Louis via Instagram, 2014
Meanwhile, Jacobs remained quiet about the entire affair. It’s unclear whether the duo are on good terms.
Marc Jacobs and Char Defrancesco (2015-Present)
In 2015, Jacobs was linked to model Char Defrancesco, whom he affectionately calls “Charly,” after spending New Year’s Eve together. It didn’t take long for the pair to officially mark their relationship. When Charly came onto the scene, not a lot of people knew him, so fans did some digging.
Although he was born in Switzerland, Charly grew up in the United States. A true creative at heart, he had numerous jobs as a model, interior designer, and bartender. At some point, he was even studying political science at UCLA. Since his relationship with Jacobs, Charly has pursued his candlemaking business full-time.
In 2018, Jacobs finally popped the question on Charly’s birthday. The couple were having dinner at Chipotle in New York when they were interrupted by a flash mob. After dancing to Prince’s hit song “Kiss,” the designer got down on one knee and proposed. They got married the following year with what the public considered “the gay wedding of the century.”
Charly shared his thoughts on Jacobs’ proposal in a 2018 interview with People Magazine.
I took [Jacobs] to Chipotle for the very first time, and every year for my birthday, we go to Chipotle,” he revealed. “Moving to New York, being from L.A., I’ve always loved Mexican food, it’s my favorite and it’s kind like a little piece of home even though it’s not authentic Mexican food. It’s consistent and tastes like Chipotle, no matter what Chipotle you go to.”
Charly Defranceso to People Magazine, 2018
The wedding was all glitz and glamour with famous guests such as Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell. Jacobs and Charly have been inseparable ever since.
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Marc Jacobs on Sexuality and Growing Up Gay
While Jacobs is openly and proudly gay, that wasn’t always the case. The designer once confessed that his first kiss was with a girl because he was being teased for being gay. However, as he grew older, Jacobs learned to become more comfortable in his own skin. In 2022, he wrote a personal reflection for Vogue’s “Growing Up, Coming Out” series.
According to Jacobs, he always knew deep down that he was different from other boys. Unlike his peers, he “liked doing arts and crafts, handpainted jeans, had very long hair, and walked on his toes.” Despite his fears of growing up around homophobia, Jacobs managed to instill courage within himself, something which he carried until his adult years.
For many, many years—decades now—I’ve lived my life very openly. I learned somewhere along the way, probably through some of my problems with addiction and alcohol, that I’m only as sick as my secrets and that one thing I won’t live with is shame.”
Marc Jacobs to Vogue, 2022
Is Marc Jacobs Gay?
Yes, Marc Jacobs is gay. The designer has been openly gay since the 1980s and has been in relationships exclusively with men. He is currently married to his long-time love, Charly Defrancesco.