Marc Jacobs Draws Ire After Calling Murder Suspect a Trendsetter

Jacobs, known for dressing high-profile figures like Winona Ryder and Courtney Love for their own legal appearances, chuckled when asked if he would take on Mangione as a client. He suggested the 26-year-old does not require much assistance, noting he already looks good in his current attire. The exchange underscored an unsettling trend where Mangione’s wardrobe—including a burgundy sweater that sold out at Nordstrom—has become an object of viral fixation. While some social media users joked about a potential collaboration, others condemned the designer for romanticizing a man who has pleaded guilty to stalking and killing Brian Thompson.

This is not the first time the 63-year-old designer has courted public backlash. His career is punctuated by controversies ranging from accusations of cultural appropriation during New York Fashion Week to a legal battle with Nirvana over copyright infringement. The fascination with Mangione’s style, however, marks a shift into a darker cultural space. Since his arrest in December 2024, the suspect’s outfits have been dissected by online sleuths, with items like a green hooded jacket selling out almost instantly. With sentencing set for December 18 and a pending state murder charge, the transformation of a criminal defendant into a fashion talking point remains a deeply divisive phenomenon.