Kristin Patrick serves as the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Marc Jacobs, a position she has held since 2024. Leading the brand’s global relaunch with a heavy emphasis on digital innovation and storytelling, she structures her days to manage a complex array of responsibilities that fuse art and commerce.
Her professional background spans various industries including fashion, beauty, entertainment, and consumer goods. Prior to Marc Jacobs, Patrick played significant roles such as building a content studio at PepsiCo, producing films like "Uncle Drew" in collaboration with Lionsgate, and fostering music partnerships with artists including Diplo. She also developed a World Cup program that intertwined sports and fashion. Additionally, Patrick has contributed to launching initiatives like Project (RED) at Gap and expanded Playboy’s business into China while exploring avenues beyond traditional publishing.
Morning Routine: Insight and Inspiration
Patrick begins her day early at 6:30 a.m. by immersing herself in a curated selection of information sources. Upon waking, she immediately checks her phone to skim through publications such as The Information, Rest of World, and Highsnobiety. This habit reflects her desire to balance insights ranging from hard business intelligence and technological advancements to financial developments and cultural trends. She describes this as a process of triangulating the world’s direction.
Following this, she consults her daily horoscope, identifying as a Gemini, blending a moment of personal reflection into her morning intake of information.
By 7 a.m., her routine transitions to a broader sensory engagement with coffee and music. She favors strong coffee made at home, specifically Dunkin’ vanilla-flavored brew, a nod to her Massachusetts upbringing. Music also plays a pivotal role in setting her daily tone, currently alternating among artists like SZA, Charli XCX, and Burna Boy, sometimes allowing Spotify’s algorithm to guide her playlist. Before leaving for the office, Patrick incorporates Wim Hof breathing exercises as part of her wellness regimen.
Commuting and Workday Structure
When working in New York City, Patrick prefers to walk to the office, viewing her stroll through the city as a "masterclass in spotting culture and style," where she observes trends from streetwear to subtle commuter details. Should she be in Los Angeles, she transitions directly into her home office and virtual meetings via Zoom.
Her professional day officially begins at 9 a.m., characterized by its unpredictability; she describes there being no "typical" day. Tasks may vary widely, from reviewing creative campaign material to analyzing financial models aimed at e-commerce growth and collaborating on customer relationship management segmentation. This interplay between creativity and business analytics invigorates her.
The intensive focus of her role lies in balancing creative vision with disciplined business management. Patrick notes the challenge and excitement in anticipating cultural trends rather than merely reacting to them, underscoring the energizing tension between creativity, data analytics, and timing. She emphasizes how designing aesthetically compelling collections and campaigns is only one aspect of success; ensuring these efforts contribute positively to EBITDA is essential. Successfully navigating this duality demands significant energy but is where transformational change occurs.
Midday Momentum and Personal Connection
Lunch at 1 p.m. tends to be quick and conveniently located near Marc Jacobs’ SoHo office, with frequent visits to local favorites like Balthazar. Despite professional demands, Patrick prioritizes checking in with her daughter, who is currently attending college. This daily interaction serves as a grounding and non-negotiable element of her routine, providing personal steadiness regardless of workplace fluctuations.
At 2:30 p.m., Patrick embraces a productivity strategy based on short, intense bursts of focus followed by brief resets, a method she refers to as working in sprints. She intentionally avoids overly detailed calendar coding and applies what she calls the "three-line rule" to emails — if an email requires more than three lines, she prefers to address the topic via a quick phone call to maintain efficiency and momentum.
Afternoon Respite and Flexible Work Environment
Around 3 p.m., an afternoon pick-me-up in the form of candy from a gumball machine provided by the e-commerce team offers a small but appreciated burst of energy. Patrick’s office environment is dog-friendly, and she occasionally looks after her daughter’s dog, Beatrice. Taking walks with the dog provides necessary brief breaks from work, affording perspective and a refreshed mindset upon return.
Closing the Workday with Purpose
By 5 p.m., Patrick focuses on concluding her day with thoughtful reflection. She gauges a successful day by whether she has built something meaningful, acquired new knowledge, and found moments of humor. This triad of accomplishment, learning, and laughter forms her daily yardstick for success.
Evening Routine: Physical and Social Recharge
Evenings are dedicated to physical exercise serving as meditation; Patrick regularly attends Pilates or spin classes to recentre and rejuvenate after work. Dinner scenarios vary, with a preference for home-cooked meals when possible, typically protein-based. However, her schedule often includes social dinners with friends or her daughter, with Italian cuisine being a favorite choice.
Travel is a common aspect of Patrick’s professional life, requiring adaptability and a flexible approach to routine. She acknowledges that while travel disrupts habitual patterns, it does not derail her; instead, it serves as a source of inspiration. Exploring the streets of a new city is viewed as a superior method for understanding emerging fashion and cultural trends compared to conventional data presentations.
Nighttime Digital Engagement
Winding down at 10 p.m., Patrick engages with social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. This nightly digital scroll ensures she remains abreast of current events and cultural movements before sleep, maintaining continuous awareness aligned with her professional and personal interests.