Marc Jacobs, an American fashion designer, recently ended his 16 year partnership with Louis Vuitton to prepare for an initial public offering. WIth the LV stock market rising (currently up +0.38%), it was quite a risk for Jacobs to leave a long term non-renewable contract with one of the world’s leading luxury-goods industry. Chairman and Chief Officer, Michael Burke, explains in an interview that “[Luis Vuitton is] doing what’s good for Marc and the future of his company, Marc’s wish is to take it to the next level.”. Jacobs owns only part ownership of his brand, Marc Jacobs, where most of the ownership belongs to LV. With that being said, Jacob insists on developing his own brand in isolation of LV in order to distinguish difference in style and to target a more specific target market. However, Jacob rest assures the public that he is leaving on a good note by ending his fashion show with a model with Louis Vuitton painted all over her body. His exit validates that the brand is more important than any one person. Furthermore, LV is considering hiring former Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquière, to give Vuitton a new burst of creativity.