Gone are the days when you could trot into the Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories shop at 395 Bleecker Street, buy a $18 wallet and pass it off as expensive. Over the last two years, the range of affordable quilted PVC wallets and clutches bearing the Marc Jacobs name has never ceased to create a frenzy among tourists, all the while decreasing in quality.
After a recent visit to the packed-to-the-gills shop, we not only noticed the cheaper feel of the goods, but also a shift in branding the inexpensive items. Instead of sporting the simple, slick "Marc Jacobs" like of his main line, the embossed interior now reads ridiculous: "Jacobs by Marc Jacobs for Marc by Marc Jacobs. In collaboration with Marc Jacobs for Marc by Marc Jacobs."
Granted, we understand that anyone purchasing these items is doing so just for the name, so is Marc putting one over on us by overdosing on the name? Probably, but this combined with his latest line of metallic PVC is plain gaudy. If Marc truly wants to differentiate between his runway clothing and the throwaway goods, then we suggest changing the store's name from "Marc Jacobs Accessories" to "Marc Jacobs Souvenirs." All that's missing are "I <3 MJ" coffee mugs and snowglobes.
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