WINONA by Winona Ryder, Robert Rich

Robert Rich90Winona Ryder100Marc Jacobs1

Grace JonesKate MossKeanu ReevesPatti SmithDaria Werbowy

Francesca Sorrenti

901999 1720

MJ2015

In the late 90s I finally got my dream job in the heart of the downtown scene in New York, the city I had always known would be my home. I became Vice President of Public Relations for Marc Jacobs stores. Now I was meeting and styling models and celebrities, along with my personal roster of high-profile clientele. In my basement office at Marc Jacobs on Mercer Street, inspiration walked in daily. As the magazine tearsheets and newspaper clippings began accumulating, my wall quickly became a whos who wall of fame. I began taking and hanging Polaroids of the clients I dressed. I soon realized that my office was becoming a hang-out spot… you never knew who would drop by, from rock stars like The Kills and Courtney Love to supermodels like Kate Moss and Gisele, Oscar winners Hilary Swank and Sofia Coppola, all in addition to hip uptown socialites. It was also a hideaway for my preferred clientele from the preying paparazzi. Here they could be themselves. They came to trust me, my styling advice and friendship. My Polaroids captured the ease of our work relationships and the beginnings of our friendships. The laughter, silly faces and warm embraces in these pictures graced my wall, unfiltered, unretouched, raw and real. In 1999 one of my favorite idols walked into the store, and into my life. My first words were: I love your new movie. Girl, Interrupted had just premiered. There, right in front of me, was Winona Ryder, the movie star herself. As our relationship grew, I became Winonas go-to for all her major events, including the Met Gala. The press constantly photographed us together, going to restaurants, leaving Marc Jacobs, or just walking the streets of Soho. Every time we met, Polaroid after Polaroid, photo after photo was shot. We had fun hanging out with other celebrities and friends who came to the store, and our friendship blossomed. Together, sometimes from day to night, we went to parties, restaurants and more. We had so much fun snapping away. A friendship of over 20 years was born. I will always be her Shnookie and she will always be my Shnookums! I am so excited to share a glimpse of my friendship with the wonderful Winona Ryder.

In those early days of Marc Jacobs, the Mercer Street store basement (and more specifically, Robert Richs office) became this sort of haven and refuge where the likes of Winona, Kate, Selma, Sofia and I spent countless hours. It was there that Winona and Robert who was our store manager and longtime member of the MJ Family formed their bond. Robert grew very close to Winona and brought her into our family, a connection that felt as effortless as breathing. Over the years, Winona has occasionally modelled for our campaigns but for me, most notably, was when she agreed (with Roberts encouragement) to be the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty in 2015.
Robert Rich

In those early days of Marc Jacobs, the Mercer Street store basement (and more specifically, Robert Richs office) became this sort of haven and refuge where the likesof Winona, Kate, Selma, Sofia and I spent countless hours. It was there that Winona and Robert who was our store manager and longtime member of the MJ Family formed their bond. Robert grew very close to Winona and brought her into our family, a connection that felt as effortless as breathing. Over the years, Winona has occasionally modelled for our campaigns but for me, most notably, was when she agreed (with Roberts encouragement) to be the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty in 2015.
Marc Jacobs