Launched in 1986, American fashion designer Marc Jacobs started his own fashion label under his name. Since the brand’s inception, the Marc Jacobs label has been known for its boundary-pushing designs and willingness to experiment with new trends.
The brand initially started a women’s line of clothing and later expanded to include menswear, children’s clothes, fragrances, cosmetics, handbags, and other accessories. The lines are not solely sold under the brand’s label but some are through collaboration such as the cosmetics line under LVMH. The same goes for the kidswear with Mar Jacobs label which is sold on third-party sellers and not found on its website.
Overall, Marc Jacobs brand is technically focused on menswear and womenswear as seen on its website. And over the years, it has developed a strong cult following among celebrities, fashionistas, and the general public. But is Marc Jacobs a luxury brand? Keep reading to know the answer.
Is Marc Jacobs A Luxury Brand?
Marc Jacobs is not considered a luxury brand but a high-end designer label. It offers relatively affordable price points which are not like the prices from many luxury brands. In addition, Marc Jacobs products are ubiquitous and can be found in many different retailers compared to luxury brands that are exclusive to certain stores.
Here are the reasons why Marc Jacobs is not a luxury brand.
1. It Is A Young Brand
Marc Jacobs is a young brand when compared to other luxury brands. It was only founded in the 1980s while most luxury brands have been around for centuries. This lack of history and heritage is one reason why Marc Jacobs is not considered a luxury brand.
2. It Is Not Exclusively Sold In Luxury Stores
Marc Jacobs products can be found in many different types of stores including high-end department stores, mass-market retailers, and even online. This is in contrast to luxury brands which are mostly found in exclusive luxury boutiques or department stores.
3. It Is Not As Expensive As Other Luxury Brands
The price points of Marc Jacobs products are not as expensive as other luxury brands. This is because Marc Jacobs is a more accessible brand that targets a wider range of consumers.
For example, the brand’s bags cost anywhere between $135 to $550 which is still expensive but not as pricey as bags from other luxury brands. The same goes for its ready-to-wear which costs $65 to $595. In short, its price offering is lower than true luxury brands.
4. It Is Not Not On Par With Luxury Brands
Marc Jacobs doesn’t offer the top-tier prestige that luxury brands would have even though it has a strong following among fashionistas. This is because Marc Jacobs does not have the same level of history, heritage, and exclusivity. In terms of prestige and sophistication, it is not something most elites would prefer to wear knowing that anyone has accessibility to own the products.
5. Marc Jacobs Is A Trendy Brand
Marc Jacobs is known for being a trendy brand that follows the latest fashion trends. This is in contrast to luxury brands which are known for their timeless and classic designs.
While there’s no doubt that Marc Jacobs is a successful and popular brand, this is due to its ability to follow trends to be more relevant to its target consumers. However, this does not make it a luxury brand.
6. The Manufacturing Process Is Not Entirely Vertical
Marc Jacobs does not have an entirely vertical manufacturing process which is one of the key characteristics of luxury brands. This means that Marc Jacobs is not in complete control of its production line and relies on third-party manufacturers to produce its products.
This is because many of its products are outsourced to be made compared to luxury brands which mostly produce their products in-house. Marc Jacobs products, on the other hand, are said to get manufactured in China, according to Bobcut Magazine, while the leather used is brought from Italy.
Does Marc Jacobs Hold Value?
While in terms of quality, design, and affordability, Marc Jacobs products are worth buying for personal use. However, it doesn’t really hold much value in the long run if reselling the item is what’s in a person’s mind.
This is because the value of the brand’s products would start to depreciate from the moment it was bought. And since a brand new Marc Jacobs’ is already considered affordable in the first place, its resale value wouldn’t be as high as other luxury brands.
Marc Jacobs does not have the same level of prestige as other luxury brands. For the record though, it is true that there’s still value when a person of thinking of reselling a Marc Jacobs product, but as a pre-loved item, it won’t be as expensive as if it were from a luxury brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between Marc Jacobs and the Marc Jacobs?
Marc Jacobs is a high-end designer brand or label while ‘The Marc Jacobs‘ is a more affordable version of the brand. It is also the successor of the discontinued second line of the brand which was Marc by Marc Jacobs.
What kind of leather does Marc Jacobs use?
Marc Jacobs uses leather for its bags. It is said that the type of leather used for the bags is Saffiano leather which is a cross-grain calfskin that is coated with a polyurethane film.
Who are Marc Jacobs competitors?
Some of Marc Jacobs’s competitors are Michael Kors, Proenza Schouler, Kate Spade New York, and Tom Ford International. All of them sell products that are in the same category—particularly the price range—as Marc Jacobs.
