The longtime business partner of Marc Jacobs, it's Duffy who keeps the business afloat as Jacobs dies his hair various colors, cavorts with young men, and—yes—designs clothes.

Robert Duffy met Marc Jacobs after Duffy left his job at Reuben Thomas and when Jacobs was a wee one presenting his senior collection at Parsons. Duffy saw big things in Jacobs, and the duo quickly partnered up and incorporated their company in 1984. There were some rocky patches, such as when Jacobs was fired from Perry Ellis or when they had to declare bankruptcy, but the pair persevered and now Duffy can boast being an executive officer of Marc Jacobs International and LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, one of the most profitable and critically beloved fashion empires of all time. While Jacobs in unequivocally the face of the brand, Duffy's work behind the scenes has made Jacobs the powerhouse that he is—Duffy, after all, convinced the once shy and self-conscious Jacobs to launch Marc by Marc Jacobs and design for Louis Vuitton. [Image via Getty]