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Marc Jacobs promotes marriage equality with storefront windows

May 4, 2011

Equality windows

Apparel and accessories designer Marc Jacobs is taking a stance for marriage equality by teaming up with the Human Rights Campaign and unveiling a “New Yorkers for Marriage Equality Campaign” window display at the brand’s store in Manhattan.

The storefront is set up like a wedding scene with empty chairs, encouraging New Yorkers to “help to fill the chairs.” The HRC came to the brand asking for support.

“This is very close to Robert Duffy and Marc Jacobs,” said Micah Bunn, director of visuals for Marc Jacobs International, New York. “We jumped on board immediately and my team and I came up with a window display that we thought would get the message out in a fun way.

“Our main goal is to just let people know that we are in full support,” she said.

HRC http://www.hrc.org/ is the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights group.

Dearly unbeloved
Shoppers walking down Bleecker Street in Manhattan’s SoHo district will see a wedding scene in the Marc Jacobs storefront window.

Consumers are “Invited to support New York Marriage Equality,” as says the text on the windows.

marc-jacobs-window

Marc Jacobs windows

Marc Jacobs stores are handing out information cards in all of its New York stores with information on how consumers can support the cause.

“We have a wedding scene displayed in our window on 403 Bleecker Street,” Ms. Bunn said. “The idea behind the window was to set up a wedding Scene with empty chairs, kind of a ‘help us fill the chairs’ and to encourage New Yorkers to support this cause and to get out there and vote.”

The brand has supported marriage equality before, even designing a T-shirt to bring attention to the unfair tax burden placed on same-sex couples not allowed to marry in New York.

marc-jacobs-gay-marriage-shirt

Marc Jacobs gay marriage T-shirt

The T-shirt features the image of a lesbian couple with a child on the front and “Marc Jacobs proudly supports HRC” on the back. It is $24.

The storefront windows will attract attention and could lead curious consumers inside the store.

Consumers can donate to the cause by buying a Marc Jacobs-HRC shirt or at least become more educated on the subject from the cards found inside the store.

I due
The HRC and other organizations have been fighting for marriage equality in the United States for many years.

Legally married same-sex couples are excluded from more than 1,100 federal rights and benefits of marriage. Most are related to taxes.

A recent study from Siena Research Institute shows that marriage equality in New York state shows 58 percent support and 36 percent opposition, according to the HRC. This is record-breaking in both ends of the spectrum.

Both brand founders Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Duffy are openly gay. In fact, Mr. Duffy was married recently.

Because of state laws, the couple was not legally able to be married in New York. This is probably the incentive behind Marc Jacobs’ stance behind this campaign.

“We hope that this image creates a positive impact on the idea of marriage and help rally New Yorkers to support this great cause,” Ms. Bunn said. “Everyone deserves equal right and this is one step closer to reality for many people, and we should all support it.”

Final Take
Rachel Lamb, editorial assistant on Luxury Daily, New York

Rachel Lamb is an associate reporter on Luxury Daily. Her beats are apparel and accessories, arts and entertainment, education, food and beverage, fragrance and personal care, government, healthcare, home furnishings, jewelry, legal/privacy and nonprofits. Reach her at rachel@napean.com.