A Closer Look at John Targon

John Targon recently left his position as creative director of contemporary at Marc Jacobs to launch his own label, Fall Risk. Previously co-founders of Baja East and design consultant to major brands like Celine and Givenchy, his experience in this industry is unrivaled.

His brand embodies wit, whimsy and wearability with an emphasis on longevity, seasonless clothing and sustainability. Its debut collection – Volume 1 – can be purchased via 212-982-RISK.

Early Life and Education

John Targon has had a storied and successful career in the fashion industry. Climbing through the ranks, he has achieved senior leadership roles at some of the world’s premier fashion brands.

Designer, born in Chicago and raised in Las Vegas, studied at Parsons School of Design before relocating to New York City in 2002.

Through his career, Targon has proven himself an expert in the fashion industry. His key skills include product design, creative direction and branding. Furthermore, he possesses strong leadership abilities which motivate his team towards reaching their objectives with enthusiasm.

He recently launched his own label, Fall Risk. This direct-to-consumer luxury knitwear label draws inspiration from youth culture and vintage aesthetics.

Professional Career

John Targon is the co-founder and creative director of Baja East, an up-and-coming luxury fashion label that draws inspiration from their west coast roots. Their pieces combine relaxed cool with urban street edge in effortless-to-wear pieces that look as effortless as they feel to wear.

He’s amassed over a decade of business expertise, from running the men’s wholesale division at Burberry to leading both women’s and men’s wholesale operations at Givenchy. This business acumen recently earned him the position as Marc Jacobs’ first-ever designer. At LVMH-owned label, he’s helped shape their strategic initiatives and guided their latest it-label to new heights.

Achievements and Honors

Designer John Targon had an illustrious year. He co-founded Baja East, earning him the coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award, and took on a design role at Marc Jacobs.

After working as a consultant for various fashion, beauty and automotive brands for six months, Targon is back in the fashion game with his Fall Risk line of t-shirts. Their first collection was an instant hit, offering fans an unusual sales option: fans could shop via telephone hotline.

This designer has been the talk of the town with his unique tee shirt designs, which he describes as a blend of “snoopy” and “sexy.” Plus, his studio space boasts funky furniture and an urban take on roller skating – leaving many wondering: will he become the next big thing in men’s wear?

Personal Life

John Targon is an esteemed industry veteran, having earned recognition for his work at Givenchy, Celine and Burberry. In 2013, he co-founded Baja East with Scott Studenberg which went on to win both the LVMH Prize and CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2016.

Now Targon is taking his playful charm to a whole new level with Fall Risk, his own brand of sustainable knitwear. He’s taking an unconventional approach – launching collections in irregular volumes he refers to as “volumes.”

At Communitie Marfa and Communitie East earlier this summer, a cashmere-waffle mix debuted to rave reviews. Now the second drop–a boarding school-inspired capsule–is available on Depop–a daring move that may put his brand back on the map.

Net Worth

John Targon, an American fashion designer with a net worth of $200 million, earned much of this wealth through his successful career as both designer and entrepreneur. He was previously Creative Director for Louis Vuitton before founding Marc Jacobs to pursue fashion on his own terms. In 1997, he sold a controlling stake in his brand to luxury goods conglomerate LVMH for an undisclosed sum; additionally he serves as Executive Director of Design at Diet Coke.

Before joining Marc Jacobs’ team, Targon co-founded Baja East with Scott Studenberg and focused on easy-to-wear pieces designed for urban professionals. The label, which debuted during New York Fashion Week 2014 and is now sold at Barneys New York and Maxfield Los Angeles as well as Net-a-Porter.