Modest Brilliance

Written by Phoebe Xia

He has been described as one of the ten most promising architects in New York; the Marc Jacobs showroom he designed has been called the sexiest mens fashion shop on the planet; he answers all questions in a gentle and unhurried manner, candidly or tactfully. However, he appears shy and retiring in front of the camera, like an inexperienced youth, almost unable to reveal his modest and gentle smile.

He confesses: Yes, I am not used to the spotlight, as an architect usually hides behind the curtain of glory. Stephan Jaklitsch, designated architect of US fashion designer Marc Jacobs, accepted an exclusive interview with Beijing Tatler in the new Marc Jacobs boutique at Beijing's recently-opened Shin Kong Place luxury department store.

As an architect, Stephan Jaklitsch's impression of every city, familiar or not, focuses on the architecture. As for Beijing, his usual even tone becomes more elated when he speaks of the masterpieces among the new buildings he admires in the ancient Chinese capital: The Bird Nest Olympic Stadium, the new CCTV Tower and the National Theatre are buildings of extreme local flavour and perfect integration of the classic Chinese and modern genre.

Amalgamation of styles is Jaklitsch's most important design concept. He doesn't place too much emphasis on his own personal taste. The most important thing is to underscore the style of the client in a specific environment, he says. Pointing to the white couch he is sitting on, Stephan continues: Take this couch for example. It should be comfortable but not overly so, as one has to consider the customer flow in a store. Commercial design focuses on the psychological impact on customers in that environment.

With his rising fame, Jaklitsch has expanded from interior decoration to structural design. Though the former is still his favourite area, control of the overall structure gives him a better command of the integrity of the whole. In many buildings, the talent and inspiration of a designer can be perceived through the details. If I am a bit different, it could be my emphasis on the holistic aspect of design, which, together with harmony of style, is the most important factor.

Stephan's reputation is built on his design work for Marc Jacobs's New York showroom, which has been called the sexiest mens fashion shop on the planet by UK mens magazine GQ. The sexiest Stephan smiles, slightly embarrassed, before explaining more clearly: It was totally unintended, because I merely wanted simplicity and modesty. I designed Marc Jacobs San Francisco store previously, and when I was designing the New York store, the west coast style had to be reproduced entirely on the east coast and also blended with that overall Manhattan feel. As a result, not only has the New York outlet merged nicely with the surrounding neighborhood, but the sexiness has managed to redefine the whole area.

Stephan's collaboration with Marc Jacobs began by chance when he was hired to design the 5th Avenue apartment of Robert Duffy, Marc Jacobs business partner and vice-chairman of Marc Jacobs International, in June 1999. This gig initiated a working relationship that has lasted eight years. To date, Stephan has produced remarkable designs for some 50 Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs boutiques and showrooms all over the world.

However, not a believer in pure luck, Stephan declares: Everyone creates their own luck. He believes that hard work and perseverance are the most important factors in achieving a position in a field that is brimming with extremely talented people. His keen interest in architecture started early in life.

Upon obtaining a masters degree in architecture from Princeton University, he began working for prominent architecture firms such as Michael Graves, a master of the post-modernist style, RTKL, Steven Harris and B Five Studio. He founded Stephan Jaklitsch Architects PC in 1998 and the once-fledgling institution has now grown into a world-renowned firm, with projects in Asia, Europe and North America.

Stephan Jaklitsch at a Glance: