DALLAS, Jan 6, 2005/ FW/ --- In a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Longines, Marc Jacobs was named by the younger American women as one of the most elegant designers. Talk about a 180-degree turnaround from grunge to elegance!

More than a decade ago, Marc Jacobs was given the dubious credit of putting grunge, a style and look made popular by the Seattle bands, on the runway. And although it was a big hit, the look and style also went on the wayside as new musical artists dominated the charts.

Thankfully, Marc Jacobs whose design talents knows no bounds continued to dominate the New York fashion scene, and when he was named Creative Director for Louis Vuitton, his influence reached Europe, and eventually, worldwide.

A graduate of New York’s Parson’s School of Design, he received Design Student of the Year Award while still in school and sold his first collection even before graduation!

That same year, 1984, he started a business partnership with Robert Duffy (Jacobs Duffy Designs), which is still intact today.

Although Marc Jacobs has been very popular in New York, he became a worldwide name to fashionistas in 1997 when both Marc Jacobs joined Louis Vuitton as Artistic Director. (Robert Duffy was hired as Studio Director at the same time.)

In 1992, Marc Jacobs received another award - CFDA Women's Designer of the Year. Jacobs would receive two more awards before the start of the new millennium - VH1 Women's Designer of the Year Award, and the CFDA Accessory Designer of the Year.

Multi-awarded with more than a big does of panache, it’s really no wonder that Marc Jacobs is a favorite among young women and considered by them as one of the most elegant designers of today.

And if you’re wondering how the Americans defined elegance, the same survey said, “Elegance is class/refinement, poise, using good manners and grace. It is not the same thing as being sexy or glamorous, they say.”

Seventy-five percent say that elegance is something you learn. For the majority, elegance is an attitude and is associated with luxury and expensive pursuits but does not necessarily equate to assets, income, or intelligence.

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs