Jacobs in Rehab

Fashion designer Marc Jacobs entered a rehabilitation center on March 12, just shy of fashion week. Jacobs' three fall shows, Marc by Marc Jacobs in London, Marc Jacobs in New York and Louis Vuitton in Paris, were well-received by the fashion industry. Critics welcomed his narrow silhouettes and claimed that the stray from heavy layers reflected his own change in physique. As I wrote during London Fashion Week, he received a lot of press for showing his younger line and opening a boutique for the first time in London. Clearly a lot of attention has been placed on Jacobs for the past month.

On the same day as his rehab announcement, the Council of Fashion Designers of America nominated him for two upcoming awards, in the womenswear and accessories categories. The deliberate choice to release the rehab news at the same time was a smart PR move by Marc Jacob's in-house department and KCD Worldwide. The media loves the rehab story, and this forced them to shift the focus back to his accomplishments in fashion.

Jacobs after his Fall 2007 show in New York. Photo: Style.com

Jacobs is open to the media about his past problems with drug and alcohol abuse, but has been sober for seven years, according to his business partner Robert Duffy. It will be interesting to see how his PR department handles the issue as he progresses.

On the Marc in London

London Fashion Week, often overlooked compared to its Paris and Milan counterparts, will be getting more attention this season because of one designer. Marc by Marc Jacobs, which has never been shown outside of New York, debuts in London on Feb. 16, the final day of fashion week. While Jacobs will be drooled over by reporters tonight, highlights from this week also include Giles, Christopher Kane and Gareth Pugh.

Marc Jacobs storefront on in Mayfair. Photo: Fashionunited

Jacobs is also opening his first London store this week on Mount Street, Mayfair. The 2,700 square foot store is only his second in Europe. Coordinating the store opening with his runway show was a great decision for the New York City-based designer.

It is no coincidence Style.com reported that London was "back on the fashion high it hasn't seem for a decade." Typically a less prominent fashion week, London is getting unprecidented attention thanks to some talents new British designers and the appearance by Jacobs.