Marc by Sofia documents an intimate portrait of Marc Jacobs through the lens of longtime friend, filmmaker Sofia Coppola. The duo first met in New York City in the early 90s, when Jacobs was on the cusp of becoming a household name, and Coppola was producing X-Girl fashion shows, a cult 90s label by musician Kim Gordon. Since then, their bond has flourished, held together by shared interests and tastes. 

Fast forward to today, Marc by Sofia is Coppola’s documentary debut, capturing Jacobs in his element. It showcases the development of his Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection and hazy preparations for the upcoming show. It flaunts creativity in action from the early days to the final process. 

There’s no dramatic arc; instead, it’s about discovery and the unveiling of Jacobs’s creative process, while also showcasing his evolution as a designer and the influences that shaped him along the way. It dances with the past, excavating Jacobs’s archives over the years and revealing sketches, past collections, and all the creative references synonymous with his vision. All of which is captured in Coppola’s distinct filmmaking style, which ruminates in the atmosphere.  

It’s a collage of artifacts in motion, a chrysalis of the designer behind the label. And because of their established friendship, Jacobs is comfortable showing it. Coppola shared in an interview with A24 that Jacobs would only do a documentary if she were the director—evidence of the trust that makes this kind of intimacy possible.

Marc by Sofia is screening at TIFF Light Box; check showtimes here.

Images courtesy of A24.