No one has ever accused Marc Jacobs of being reluctant to make a fashion statement. (Lace dress with boxers, anyone?) But in the past, the 49-year-old designer has stepped up to speak out about politics as well.
In case you missed it, Marc launched a "Free Tibet" line (which you can still get on eBay), drawing outcry and call for a boycott from people around the globe. In 2009, he released a shirt demanding gay marriage in exchange for tax money. But most notoriously, a Marc by Marc Jacobs store in San Francisco set up a window in 2006 reading in huge letters, "Worst President Ever!", referring to then-commander-in-chief George W. Bush.
But Jacobs might have decided that dipping his toe in the political pool isn't the best idea -- or advertisement. He arrived in Shanghai, China, earlier this week to show his fall 2012 collection and to celebrate the reopening of the brand's store in the city's Plaza 66 shopping mall.
During a lengthy interview with Women's Wear Daily, Jacobs discussed international business markets and Louis Vuitton collabs.
And then, he says that his earlier political leanings weren't such a good idea.
I guess politics and fashion, you’ve always got to be a bit careful because somebody’s going to get offended or somebody’s going to feel it isn’t right,” he offered. “I don’t want to sound stupid or ignorant or anything, but I spend my time in the studio choosing fabric and colors and trying to figure out what we’re going to make.…If you want to avoid controversy, you just don’t do [political] things like that.”
Though he may have decided to stop pulling political-related stunts, Jacobs did take part in this year's Runway to Win collection in support of the 2012 Obama campaign. We guess a little t-shirt never hurt anyone.
Read more of the interview with Marc Jacobs over at WWD.
