Editor’s Note: For many in the fashion world, memories of 9/11 are closely tied to Marc Jacobs’s spring 2002 show and its after-party, held on the evening of Monday, September 10, at Pier 54. The clear plastic tent set up for the event gave guests an unobstructed view of the Twin Towers.

On September 10, 2001, we presented the Marc Jacobs spring 2002 collection on a pier on the West Side. I remember there had been heavy rain, or we got word that the show might have to be called off because it was too windy and rainy near the water. They were worried we wouldn’t be able to go ahead with it.

But we did. It was a truly special show. We had the flowers, and then they parted, and the after-party for the fragrance launch took place on the pier.

Over the years, around this time, many people bring up that show. They’ll say, “Oh my God, I remember your show, and I remember what I was doing because of 9/11.” So people do share their stories and memories of that night with me.

For me, it really starts with the after-party. Two very close friends of mine were at the show, Ricky Vider Rivers and her husband, David Rivers. At some point late into the night, or late into the party, Ricky said something like, “Where’s David? Have you seen David?” At least that’s how I remember it. Everyone had been drinking a lot and was very outgoing, so I said no, I hadn’t seen him.

Looking back now, that moment carries a lot of weight because David was a writer for the Financial Times, and on one of the very rare occasions he was on time for a meeting, that meeting took place in the World Trade Center.

The next morning, I woke up at the Mercer Hotel. We were supposed to have the Marc by Marc Jacobs show that day. I remember waking up thinking, Oh, we’ve got the show. Then I called down to the front desk, and they told me what had happened—that planes had crashed into the World Trade Center. I looked out the window and saw only smoke and darkness.

I didn’t really believe it. Or maybe I just didn’t grasp it. I didn’t understand the scale of it, the enormity, the horror.

I remember wondering to myself, I wonder if the show will be canceled. Of course, looking back, it was obviously going to be canceled. I don’t mean that in a careless, fiddling-while-Rome-burned way. I was in shock. I didn’t realize how serious things were.

Shortly after that, I think it was Richard Buckley, Tom Ford’s husband, who told me David was missing. My memory isn’t great these days, but I’m fairly sure it was Richard who informed me of what had happened and that Ricky was in a bad state. He asked me, “Can you go over to Ricky’s and sit with her? Be with her? She’s panicking.”

So I did.

Later that morning, we knew David was nowhere to be found. Of course, we later learned that he had passed away. That is my September 11 experience.

I don’t think we were at the office that week. I remember some of the chaos at the Mercer because all these fashion editors were staying there. It’s hard to say this without sarcasm or cynicism, and I include myself in this group, but there were a lot of very important editors trying to get home to Paris, Italy, or wherever.

All flights were canceled, but there was this sense of entitlement and absurdity in the air. The Mercer was super trendy, so you had all these fashion people saying things like, “Well, I know all the flights are canceled, but I’ll still manage to get back.” In light of what had happened, it was ridiculous.

Walking around the city was just horrifying and heartbreaking. All those photos and posters started appearing everywhere for people who hadn’t come home.

I remember seeing Ricky. I remember walking through the city and seeing those photographs. And I remember many conversations about what had happened. I feel like there was a period when nobody did anything. Everyone was frozen by fear and by this terrible, terrible event.

I don’t know if “a while” was five days or three days. But it was a few days before…Before anyone started getting back to work, I think the first thing I had to do professionally was have my picture taken by Irving Penn for Vogue. I remember thinking, “This photo shoot is definitely going to be canceled.” But they told me, “No, no. Mr. Penn works every day.” So I went. I put on an old vintage raincoat and had my picture taken.

Eventually, of course, I went back to work in Paris and we put on the Louis Vuitton show. I couldn’t have told you which collection it was without looking it up. There have been so many. Julie Verhoeven did those little animal-creature bags, I think, and we did those patchworks, those little patchwork fairy tales. There was all that deep-colored denim.

But when I think about September 11, I don’t really remember getting back to work. I remember Ricky. I remember walking around the city. I remember all those pictures of people who didn’t come home. And I remember listening to people talk about what had happened.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Marc Jacobs reflections on 911 written in a natural tone with clear concise answers

General Background

1 Wait why is a fashion designer talking about 911
Marc Jacobs was in New York City on September 11 2001 Like everyone else in the city the event had a profound impact on him and he has spoken about how it changed his perspective on life work and the fashion industry

2 Was his show supposed to happen that week
Yes September 11 2001 fell during New York Fashion Week His show was scheduled for the evening of the attacks and was of course canceled immediately

3 What does he specifically remember about that day
He has described the chaos and confusion watching the towers burn from his apartment and the surreal silence that fell over the city He remembers the feeling of complete shock and the immediate need to connect with loved ones

4 Did the event change his fashion designs
Not in terms of a specific 911 collection but it fundamentally changed his attitude He has said it made him question the frivolity of fashion He felt a deep sense of guilt about caring about clothes when so much life was lost which led him to think more deeply about the meaning and purpose of his work

5 How did he handle the show that was canceled
He eventually presented the collection weeks later but he has noted that the original context was gone The energy was completely different and the pomp and circumstance felt inappropriate The focus shifted from glamour to a more somber reflective mood

Impact Personal Reflections

6 Did he ever think about quitting fashion after 911
Yes He has been very open about this He felt that his job was insignificant in the face of such a massive tragedy and seriously questioned whether he could continue He felt a strong pull to do something more meaningful

7 What kept him in the industry
He realized that continuing to create and providing jobs for his team was a way to move forward He also came to understand that fashion could be a form of escapism and joy for people which has value especially in dark times It was a way to help the city heal and return to some sense of normalcy