The Many Faces of Marc Ecko

FACE TIME Ecko hangs loose. Marc Ecko's not afraid to get his geek on. The New Jersey-bred urbanwear designer held a dinner party Tuesday to show off his newly-renovated office. Among the accoutrements in the two-level space are a basketball half-court, a fully-equipped chef's kitchen, a movie screen, and an astonishing collection of Star Wars memorabilia.

The table was set on the basketball court, under the watchful gaze of a life-size Imperial Stormtrooper and within easy Force-summoning reach of Darth Maul's double lightsaber. An avid chef, Ecko personally loaded up his guests' plates and described in detail how the braised lamb shank had been prepared. As an overweight adolescent, he said, he had learned to cook by watching Frugal Gourmet (and alleged teen molester) Jeff Smith. These days, Ecko's doing more cooking than eating—he recently shed 70 pounds with the help of a trainer and nutritionist.