Marc Jacobs vs. Seared Scallops
Posted by: Laura Cassidy on Jan 26, 2009 at 07:00PM
14 Comments
When I posted my seven dollar Marc Jacobs cardigan, I fought myself about adding a caveat—something about how I would’ve bought it even if it didn’t have that ubiquitous little name sewn into it, and, well, here I am, so I guess I won — or would it be lost? — the fight.
I would’ve bought that sweater even if it didn’t have that ubiquitous little name sewn into it. Because the truth is, I definitely don’t love fashion’s favorite man in a skirt. The truth is, I don’t not love him either. I am almost completely emotionless when it comes to Marc, which perfectly illustrates the feelings of the one and only Ms. Kim Lundin, Creative Director at Gene Juarez Salons and Spas.
A year ago, in the middle of shooting our Spring 08 fashion spread with Olugbenro Ogunsemore, I heard the tiny and adorable hair pro on the other side of the room … talking about scallops.
“Well, everyone thinks you’re supposed to love them, right? But no one even likes scallops. (I’m paraphrasing, so work with me here.) You go out to eat and you even think you’re going to order them … ‘hm, maybe I should have the scallops.’ But here’s the thing: You don’t like scallops. No one likes scallops. You just think you’re supposed to. It’s the exact same thing with Marc Jacobs. You think you like him because you think everyone likes him, but no one really does. Marc Jacobs is the scallop of the fashion world.”
Okay but someone does love him. Posh does. And Rachel Zoe does—even though it seemed for a minute there that Marc didn’t really love her.
But what about you? If you had to choose between a Marc Jacobs dress and a plate of seared scallops, who would win? How about shrimp almondine? Crab rangoon? Filet of soul?
i’m with your friend kim! I like your sweater but Marc jacobs is a bore. I’ll take fish& chips!
Well, I love Marc and scallops. And… I really do. He does great work and my husband Larry … well you haven’t had scallops until you have tasted the way he prepares them.
So … rather than like or not like something because others say it is in or hip or out?!?! I would rather chosse for myself. For me , they are both in. As a matter of fact I would like to meet Marc for lunch and dine on some scallops!
Certainly Marc Jacobs wins over scallops. 1) scallops have a very short shelf life; MJ dress – much longer. 2) even if the dress design isn’t that great, I bet he would have used a fabulous fabric that I could cut up and refashion into something else. 3) fashion over food is how women stay thin!
funny that you should bring this up, because my friend and i were shopping the barney’s sale in december and were just talking about how much we’re not really fans of the fashion world’s do-no-wrong wunderkind (at least for clothing). there is definitely a “marc girl” type out there…and you can just tell by looking at her, but that’s definitely not me. you will never catch me in a pastel, ikat print henley or a slinky, (bad) 90’s, liquid black, polyester blazer/shirt. also, the proportions just don’t fit me. my coworker, however, seems to cull all the singularly great pieces from marc by mj, and they fit her, and she looks great all the time. accessories, however, i am a fan of. in general i like the bags, though they’re too expensive for me to justify, and i don’t want to have the same thing as every one else. also, every season i usually like one of his watches and a couple pairs of shoes. but if i were to spend that much on shoes, i would rather go with some marni’s or stella mccartney’s.
as for scallops, though, i must disagree. i LOVE scallops. in a restaurant, though, i won’t choose them because i know i can sear them at home just the way i like them. oh wait, i do like scallops at sushi joints because that’s something i’m not confident about at home. perhaps the same goes for marc jacobs: i like the inspiration, sometimes i even like the design, but if can get it more to my taste elsewhere, i will. but then there are those special circumstances where he gets it just right.
i’m glad not everyone worships at the shrine of marc jacobs. when you read so many blogs and fashion-related articles praising the genius of mj, it’s difficult to uncover the dissenters.
Hi Tina—
yikes! I have to choose fashion over food? No way, sorry, I’ve got to have both! But yeah, good point about the fabrics! There’s got to be something worth salvaging! ha!
Hey Venividi!
actually — i love ikat! and for sure, each season there is something of his that I like… I actually just saw a pretty great MJ necklace in Elle or W or Bazaar … I’ll have to find it and post it just to be, you know, fair.
And really the whole I-could-cook-this-at-home/I-could-shop-this-from-another-designer is a good analogy. I totally order that way when I’m out, and because I’m such a hunter/gatherer vintage nerd, when I’m shopping, I really want to buy stuff that doesn’t look vintage—and most MJ seasons are very backward glancing if you know what I mean.
Okay — I need to know: what’s your fav sushi joint?
Hi Jilladair!
You’ll have to send your husband over – I’ll hit the market for fresh scallops and prepare to change my mind!
But regarding your other comment—I don’t think anyone was suggesting that we decide if we like Marc based on whether others do or whatever his current approval rating is/was… I think the whole point was exactly the opposite
- don’t feel like you have to like MJ, or scallops, because it seems like the thing to do. Go with your heart-or, your gut!And yeah, I have to say, if given the chance, I’d totally meet MJ over a plate of scallops. Even if I don’t get weepy at the sight of his silhouettes, I’m positive he’d have some good stories to tell. I can always raid the bread basket if I’m not into the main dish…
hahah, but :: pastel :: ikat! :) ah, sushi…i have a couple favorites. i love mashiko in west seattle for a great mix of traditional and non-traditional sushi and other japanese delights. the best stuff, though, is off of their daily fresh menu. a personal favorite is a seasonal smelt nambam, which was amazing. another place i like, though not solely for sushi, is maneki (http://ketchupandsoup.blogspot.com/2008/01/maneki-not-so-secret-japanese-treasure.html) in the little japantown sector of the id. i’ve heard great things about kisaku and toyoda, but i’m ashamed to admit i’ve never been to either!
okay I’ll give you that — ikat should be in deep plum tones and slate and midnight blue … no pastel!
We’re of similar minds for sure; Mashiko is our long time fav, but recently we’ve also been really into Nishino!
oh, and for Japanese bar food, go to Maekawa on King St!
Oh yeah, how could I forget Nishino!?! It’s nice because it’s pretty close to my place, too. Maekawa…I’ll definitely have to go there. Yum! I love food suggestions.
Heh. Scallops really are a nothing-protein, maybe sort of like tofu…they respond best to bold treatment. As for MJ, I have tried and tried to like it. Tried. Really. Accessories are ok, and I will always love his collection for Perry Ellis in the 90’s but the stuff is too girly/lady for me. Sometimes one finds a gem, and basic pieces are decent, but overall it just isn’t my cup of tea. Weirdly though, I loooooooooooove his stuff for Louis Vuitton (not the boring ugly brown and brown brown logo bags of course). So luxe and detailed with just a dash of Dynasty. Awesome.
you and your love of DYNASTY!!
hi Dusty!
oh my god I love that you brought up Perry Ellis and yes, the LV bag stuff
-- I really do love the Stephen Sprouse bags, especially the rose printed ones made after Sprouse’s death, and the Madonna/Steven Meisel ads … so sexy! I want to be able to say that with Marlene Dietrich’s accent. And even her eyebrows-anyway … gotta go, I have a date with some DYNASTY RERUNS!