Fashion designer Marc Jacobs is facing public backlash after stating he would style Luigi Mangione, a defendant in the murder trial of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Jacobs made the remarks during a segment for Vanity Fair where he was subjected to a lie detector test.
When asked if he would dress Mangione, who has pleaded guilty to stalking and killing Thompson in late 2024, Jacobs responded affirmatively. He also commented that Mangione appeared to be a fashion "trendsetter," noting that burgundy sweaters sold by Nordstrom reportedly sold out after Mangione wore one during a court appearance. Jacobs was previously asked about styling celebrities like Winona Ryder, Lil' Kim, and Courtney Love for their court appearances.
The designer's statements have ignited anger on social media platforms, with many users accusing him of being insensitive and out of touch. Commenters on X expressed dismay, with one user writing, "Hopefully Marc Jacobs will never have a loved one shot in the back by a deranged killer." Another stated, "You'd dress a man who killed a father of two children in broad daylight and then plead guilty and admitted it was planned ..... shameful as hell hope you rethink this and retract."
Some users declared they would boycott Jacobs's products, while others criticized his perceived authority on courtroom appearances, contrasting it with the gravity of a criminal trial.
Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty last Friday to stalking and murdering Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4, 2024. U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald stated that Mangione admitted to the crime and emphasized that no grievance or cause justifies murder.
Mangione's legal team is seeking to have the case dismissed, citing double jeopardy. A state murder trial, initially slated to begin September 8, has been indefinitely postponed. Judge Gregory Carro canceled the trial and set an October 9 deadline for prosecutors to respond to the dismissal motion, with a hearing scheduled for December 10.
Mangione is also facing a federal case, where prosecutors indicated they would seek a life sentence. He is scheduled for sentencing in that case on December 18. The current developments follow an evidence hearing on December 12, 2025.