An Interview with Christian DiPietro of Marc Jacobs

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I transfered to Lasell College going into my junior year for their Fashion and Retail Merchandising program. I can’t remember when exactly, but soon into my time at Lasell I met Christian DiPietro. We instantly clicked, and even though he was taking design classes and I was going the merchandising route, we still overlapped in certain courses and at the annual fashion show. Christian went off to NYC right after he graduated, and he started his career at Marc Jacobs. I wasn’t surprised he instantly got such an incredible job because he was such a hard working, talented guy, and I knew he was going places. When I moved back to NYC from Boston, Christian and I got to hang out a bit more, and while I now live down in Texas, I still keep tabs on him and his amazing envy-worthy career. At only 28, he is a Designer for Little Marc Jacobs and Marc Jacobs Special Projects. How’s that for dream job?!

How long have you been with Marc Jacobs?

Six years (!!!), right out of school.

What positions have you held with Marc Jacobs?

I’ve been really fortunate to have a lot of growth within my position at Marc Jacobs. I’ve worked on Childrenswear, Denim, Swim, Special Projects…a lot! I have gone from Design Assistant to Designer at such an amazing, iconic company that’s held a very special place in my heart for a such a long time. It’s really a special thing.

What’s your favorite thing about your job? Most rewarding? Most challenging?

I get to travel a lot for work to amazing places like Paris and Italy, so, I would say that’s a pretty great perk. Being able to explore the world getting inspired from such incredible locations is something I can’t even describe.

The most rewarding and most challenging, to me, go hand in hand. Anytime I have to step outside my comfort zone or feel nervous about something I know it’s going to teach me something new and only enhance my craft. If it scares you, do it– isn’t that what they say?

Have you always known what you’ve wanted to do? If not, what did you originally think you wanted to do?

I used to carry a box of colored pencils, a sketchbook, and a stack of Comic Books and Fashion magazines to my Brother’s hockey games growing up where I’d sit in the warm room for hours sketching away, so, yes I think I have always known. Ha!

As a family we would go over to my Grandparents every Sunday for lunch– like good Italian’s– and my Grandfather, who was also an Artist, would teach me new techniques and draw with me.

My Mother’s Father, Papa Joe, also is a carpenter so I used to build fun little things with him and ask him a million questions. Having his knowledge is why Pattern-making and Drafting came so easily to me and why it was so enjoyable.

Any pinch me moments of your career, thus far? I imagine maybe a few in your industry/company!

That’s a tough one to answer because our epic parties alone– where everyone from Rachel Zoe to Debbie Harry to Winona Ryder are sitting front row– is a pretty epic pinch me moment. I hung out once with half the cast of “Bridesmaids” at our after-party and danced with Kristen Wiig all night. Won’t lie, that was pretty amazing.

Even though the parties and glam is super fun and intoxicating, I think just being able to travel and going to places growing up I dreamed of going would be the most incredible part of my job. Also, just being able to create and have fun at work is out of this world amazing. How many people really get to do that?

What’s your advice for someone wanting to break into the fashion industry?

Study. Your. Ass. Off. Pay attention, and do not be a know it all. Because you’re not.

A huge misconception about entering into this industry is that it’s all exterior beauty and it just “comes together.” Well, no, that is not the case. You need to be fluent in Fashion History, be ready to research, pay attention to detail, and know how to roll with the punches.

Keeping your artistic integrity is key but you need to be open to all sorts of inspiration and step outside your comfort zone at any given moment. Having a sense of humor and being a good communicator are also key factors here. Humor should be in everything we do; we are only here once.

What inspires you?

That is such a loaded question I’m not sure I can answer it as eloquently as I’d like to.

Everything from this amazing city we live in, to color, to film…all of it, at any time, I can find inspiration in.

Oddly enough, hair is a big source of inspiration for me. If I see a great haircut styled perfectly, I’ll usually think of the rest of that look and build a outfit from there. “What would she be wearing to compliment those effortless waves? It’s got to be something cool to complement it.” May not make sense, but, I’d say a big chunk of the time when looking at an overall offering, I start from the head up.

What’s your personal style?

One of my best Girlfriends, Julia, deemed me a “Lower East Side Greaser” years ago in a dumpy East Village bar, which I think sums it up.

I have a very specific look as is with my features being very dark and exaggerated, so I feel keeping it more on the toughened up Classic side is the best route for me to go. I love a good watch and simple silver or gold masculine bracelet; not enough men wear accessories. I’m not saying wear that statement ring Stanley Tucci dons in “The Devil Wears Prada,” but something couldn’t hurt, fella’s.

A sort of go-to look throughout the year is a great dark denim, tight white crew, and killer leather jacket or interesting outerwear piece topped with simple sunglasses and a moto-boot. Vintage mesh tanks, short shorts, high tops, and speedo’s take the cake in Summer and I will not apologize for that.

If I’m needing a jolt of inspiration, looking to the personal style of stylish Men of today like Justin Theroux and Chris Pine always helps. If I want to dig deeper into my rolodex I’ll check out vintage Steve McQueen, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, and honestly Danny Zuko. All excellent references.

Tell us a bit about a day in your life. 

Morning is usually wake up after hitting my alarm a thousand times, gym, get ready, coffee, eat breakfast, coffee, and head to work. Followed by coffee all day. Then post-work is usually meeting up with friends if we all decide the world is too much that day and need to talk about it over Happy Hour.

Weekends I couldn’t even give you a direct answer. The only constant on the weekends is coffee and exercise– beach in the Summer; I like to mix up my activities as much as I can.

Favorite thing about living in NYC? Least favorite thing?

Narrowing down my favorite thing about NYC is a little cruel, but I would say the diversity. The people, restaurants, neighborhoods…all of it. Diversity seems to encompass what I love about the city the most.

Least favorite thing? I don’t think I have one…other than the way the city smells in the Summer. Which is toxic.

Thanks, Christian! 

Be sure to follow Christian’s blog The New York Narrative and on Instagram here and here.

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