A graduate of Parson’s School of Art and Design, former Charivari stock boy and designer for Perry Ellis, Jacobs has since become America’s most powerful fashion designer (not to mention Europe’s—Jacobs has been creative director for Louis Vuitton since 1997). In 1992, he won the Women’s Designer of the Year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America and two years later he launched his eponymous label, supported by then “it” models Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista. His muses include Sofia Coppola, Charlotte Rampling, Winona Ryder, Dakota Fanning, Victoria Beckham and all have been featured in Jacobs’ ad campaigns. His front row is always packed with celebs (Beckham, Courtney Love, Anna Wintour and more), and Jacobs has become an on-camera star himself. He recently modeled nude (a perfume bottle covering his private parts) for his new men’s fragrance, called Bang. Downtown on Bleecker Street, Jacobs is baron, with an MJ store on seemingly every block. His most recent debut: Bookmarc, a bookstore kitty corner from Magnolia Bakery. He’s also planning to build a café uptown. Jacobs spends most of his time in Paris amongst his contemporary art collection and bull terrier Alfred (who he has tattooed on his arm). Most recently, Jacobs was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 CFDA Awards.