Marc Jacobs was born in New York City in 1963. After graduating from the High School of Art and Design in 1981 he entered Parson's School of Design. As a design student at Parson's, Jacobs was the recipient of some of the schools highest honors. He was awarded the Perry Ellis Gold Thimble Award, the Chester Weinberg Gold Thimble Award, and the Design Student of the Year Award all in 1984. While still at Parson's Jacobs also designed and sold his first collection of hand-knitsweaters. The collection was designed for Ruben Thomas, Inc which is still in tact today. In 1986, backed by Kashiyama USA, Inc Jacobs designed his first collection bearing the Marc Jacobs label.