Marc Jacobs says he’d dress United healthcare CEO killer, Luigi Mangione for murder trial during Vanity Fair’s Lie Detector Test podcast leading to accusations that the famed designer is supporting violence and murder, while others argue the designer is simply tapping into public sentiment and shrewd brand marketing.
An anti-capitalist hero or just a pretend attention seeker?
Famed NYC fashion designer (to the stars and the glitterati set) Marc Jacobs has caused jittering mouths after admitting he would dress United Healthcare CEO, Brian Thompson killer, Luigi Mangione if his case went to murder trial.
The comments came during a sit down with Vanity Fair’s Lie Detector Test podcast, in which it was noted that celebrities including Winona Rider, Courtney Love and Lil’ Kim had all worn Jacobs’ designs in court in the early 2000s.
Marc Jacobs calls United Healthcare CEO killer a ‘trendsetter’
The interview then moved on to the subject of photogenic heart throb, Luigi Mangione who last week admitted to stalking and killing the healthcare CEO — with the famed designer presented a photo of the Ivy leaguer and asked, ‘Would you be open to styling this person for his trial?’
With little hesitation, Jacob responded, ‘Um…yes.’
‘I think he looks pretty good the way he dresses, actually,’ the designer added.
Notes FOX News: ‘Trial fashion can draw a lot of attention, going back to OJ Simpson’s so-called trial of the century in the mid-1990s, which was televised and involved the most famous American ever charged with murder at the time.’
Luigi Mangione a natural selling commodity
Jacobs who was hooked up to a lie detector test during the podcast was then asked to further comment on the influence the rugged handsome ‘trendsetter’ had on fashion.
Asked on Mangione’s much ballyhooed red sweater in which he was seen wearing in court, only for the item to sell out at Nordstrom stores, Jacobs was asked, ‘Does this make him a trendsetter?’
Responded an enthusiastic Jacobs, ‘Yes.’
Which is to wonder, is Jacobs who is worth a cool $200M and catering to the Jetset, rather than being a sympathetic to the ravishes of today’s neoliberal business model, is likely simply exercising his sense of what moves the public and tailoring his fashion’s brand image accordingly.
But that’s not the way everybody sees it.
Supporting or denouncing a murderer
Donna Rotunno, a criminal defense attorney and a FOX talking head stated she was ‘disappointed’ to see public support for Mangione. Nevermind there may be many compelling reasons why many in the public, who adamantly oppose the use of violence, sympathize with the insurance healthcare killer’s grievances, which sees the insurance industry piling on the profits while declining vital healthcare to paying contributors.
Asked to comment on Jacobs’ ‘controversial’ take that he would dress the anti-capitalist hero, Rotunno replied, ‘I find that sad that a designer would in any way, shape or form want to support that.’
Mangione in a plea deal last Friday admitted to stalking Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two, from Minnesota to New York City, where he shot him in the back on Dec. 4, 2024.
While his reasons for ‘assassinating’ the CEO continue to auger debate and muted media discussion, it’s Mangione’s looks and fashion choices which have consumed the networks.
Luigi Mangione fashion choices continue to beguile
Since becoming a tabloid headlines staple, Mangione’s fashion choices continue to captivate discussion — beginning with the high-end backpack he allegedly ditched in Central Park while fleeing the crime scene. In March 2025, he showed up in the courtroom wearing Rockport loafers and no socks. A look that garnered considerable attention and commentary (who knew an anti-capitalist could look so familiar and cool…?)
‘He’s kind of become a character and this cult hero to some people, and it’s pretty sad to see,’ the FOX criminal defense attorney mused.
Fashionable cult hero or not, Mangione, may end up wearing a jail jumpsuit for the rest of his life after he pleaded guilty to federal charges last week. As a result, his state case may come to an end without trial if his defense team’s double jeopardy claim succeeds in court.
The 28-year-old Ivy Leaguer faces a maximum punishment of life in prison at his sentencing on Dec. 18, but it’s up to Judge Margaret Garnett. Federal sentencing guidelines recommend around 25 to 30 years, and Garnett is not bound by those either.
‘So the fact that you would have any designer coming out saying that he would dress him or be happy to dress him, I think is pretty tone deaf,’ Rotunno said.
Social media responds
That though is not necessarily how others see Marc Jacobs new manufactured dressing drama. A perusal on social media revealed the following reader comments (below) that made this author wonder. See what you think?
‘I don’t see the problem. I get why he’d want to be the stylist for a high-profile case. As a business owner it makes sense.’
‘How could that possibly spark fury? Every killer on trial wears a suit, they are all made by somebody. Why not marc jacobs???’
‘Not all heroes wear capes. But if they do they’re Marc Jacob’s.’
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