On Art and Fashion: Is This Marc Jacobs' Urinal?

We all know that Marc Jacobs is an avid art collector. So, is this garbage bag a nod to Marcel Duchamp's particular brand of deconstructionism, a comment on the state of the fashion industry or simply his way of saying to all those who bought (literally and figuratively) into the myriad of Louis Vuitton "it" bags of the past decade: "the joke is one you!"? Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Comments

[Helene]

Thanks for your very thoughtful comment Raquel. I did indeed have the Loic Prigent documentary in mind when I wrote this post. Personally, I sense that MJ is trying to add depth to his work - whether this comes from a sense of insecurity in relation to fine artists as you suggest or just a greater maturity both as a person and as a designer, I don't know. Most designers get to a point where, consciously or not, they look to add more gravitas to their body of work. Perhaps they have their legacy in mind?

My concern from a branding perspective is that this type of statement or experiment would be more appropriate for his eponymous brand than for LV. A luxury house is not a fashion house even though many now include fashion in their product mix. Luxury as an industry operates under a different set of principles (longevity, timelessness, heritage, traditions, rarity) which frequently clash with fashion's need for constant change and renewal. It's confusing to consumers when a brand such as LV markets itself as both. It becomes downright misleading when a fashion item (a trash bag-cum-handbag) is priced no differently than a luxury item (a classic LV handbag).

Helene

[Raquel Laneri]

"I see this as further evidence that LV is now a fashion brand rather than a luxury brand." Excellent point. LV seems to have two identities: You have the heritage one, the classic trunks and luggage hawked by legends such as Catherine Deneuve and Gorbachev and astronauts; and then you have the fashion one, the ones hawked by supermodels and celebs like Madonna.

Have you watched the documentary about Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton? One thing I found very interesting was Jacobs' awe and reverence for artists--fine artists and musicians. And that at times it seemed that he felt sort of inferior to the artists he worked with--or that his own art couldn't compare. It was an interesting little window into this man whose persona has become so carefully cultivated and seems to carefree. His desire to be associated with artists--whether working with Richard Prince or having Sonic Youth play at his show--makes me think the Duchamp theory is not far from the truth.

I thought this would have been hilarious a few years ago, when Chanel did its own trashbag-looking purse. Jacobs' more literal interpretation would have been a joke commenting on the sorts of things we'd buy when there is a certain name attached to it. Perhaps that IS what he's doing. It' really hard to read Jacobs? Is he a postmodern genius? An idiot savant we give way too much credit to? I don't know.

[Dahlia]

If it were for one of Marc Jacob's own collections, I can see this working. But for this to be of the Louis Vuitton brand, I find this deeply offensive.

Jacob's has his own brand to pilfer around for kooky ideas, they don't belong on the Vuitton platter.

[Ingrid Mida]

What a laugh! It reminds me of the work of surrealists like Schiaparelli. In such difficult economic times, a bit of laughter is a good thing and Marc gets the last laugh.

[pulchra]

trashy and environmental-enemy, does Mr. Arnault believes this represent the Vuitton brand?

[Silent Storyteller]

Horrendous...I agree coming from MJ it has to be a part of his marketing game...

[Jen]

Maybe this is a strange contribution to the spring plastic trend, all that clear Lucite-like jewelry that is in for spring and solid plastic box hand bag type things . . . why not take it a step further and just haul around a plastic bag? Maybe he'll do zip-lock bags for the Marc by Marc Jacobs collection . . . . . I think I remember clear plastic back packs and purses being popular when when I was little, I remember my Mom commenting on a woman's clear plastic hand bag saying she would never carry something so exposing over her arm. Perhaps the recycling of trends is clearly represented by LV's trash bag . . .

[Jen]

Perhaps the easiest LV bag to knock off yet!

[M]

Maybe some sort of ego issue on MJ's part?

[pulchra]

1 piece could be art, provocation, punk is not dead and so on
a collection on sale at more than 2,000 US$ is an offense to the intelligence, to the style and to the good taste

[Helene]

Perhaps you're right JJ and willowblue but does it necessarily follow that just because a designer has become "too commercial" (to borrow your term JJ), any offering that is slightly controversial is necessarily a ploy for publicity? Maybe he simply has a sense of humor? Or, maybe he is trying to push LV beyond its comfort zone? Personally, I see this as further evidence that LV is now a fashion brand rather than a luxury brand.

This is turning into another interesting discussion. Please keep the comments coming!

Helene

[JJ]

Agreed. I think he's trying too hard. MJ is too commercial for this to be anything other than an empty marketing ploy. Any comparison with Duchamp and Jacobs is doing a disservice to Duchamp.

JJ

[willowblue]

A strongly worded headline!
Now if this alleged bag had come from a more conceptual/indie designer, it would be credible as a question mark on the constant tension between art and fashion.
But, as a ``creation’’ from a big name who has outlived his days as fashion rebel (if he ever was truly one), it has no shock/counterculture value, except maybe to his groupies.
This ``bag’’ is a cynical shot at cheap publicity, and can’t even pass as a recession joke.
More daft than the paper accessories by lagerfeld chez chanel. even fashion heroes can miss the mark,sometimes.

[Make Do Style]

Just one more way to say I have money!