We would be hard pressed to find a fashion devotee who wasn’t an admirer of Marc Jacobs. Whether you hoard his punkish feminine designs in your closet or admire them from your Instagram feed, there’s no denying he has a certain je ne sais quoi, which showcased itself so beautifully in the Resort 2017 collection. Pushing away from the ‘70s influence that has been so prevalent on the runways for the past few seasons, he tapped into the high-glam and glossy excess of the ‘80s, and sent models down the runway in all the kitschy looks of the decade, from crimped hair to graphic neon prints.
Set to the music of Duran Duran, the show was an exercise in nostalgia, almost veering, sort of wonderfully, into costume territory. The collection was imbued with a boldness and enthusiasm that said go big or go home, and Jacobs wasn’t going anywhere. A leopard print jacket in hot pink, neon green and highlighter yellow was reminiscent of a Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper, while acid wash denim, studded outerwear and metallic fabrics kept everything looking modern. He tapped into some of the worst looks of the decade like puffed sleeves, jogging suits and electric prints and, almost miraculously, made them work for a modern audience.
Some of his hero pieces were the abstract print and appliqué jackets, and a series of MTV sweatshirts that proved we aren’t the only ones who long for the days when the channel actually played music. His collection, presented hours after he won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, showcased his talent for design. Even if you can’t see yourself in a metallic ‘80s prom dress, chances are, come September, his influence will be felt throughout Fashion Week.
