A.P.C. Men

A.P.C.: three letters that stand for "Atelier de Production et de Création" (production & design workshop) and which, over time, have become the embodiment of a cerebral French style with a happy sobriety to use the words of its founder Jean Touitou. At first, this determined entrepreneur did not seem destined for a career in fashion. After majoring in history of the arts in high school, he enrolled at the Sorbonne in Paris and obtained a degree in history and geography. Eager to discover the world, he travelled to the United States and became involved in a Trotskyist movement. On his return, he found a job at Kenzo and then continued his apprenticeship with Agnès B. in New York before joining Irié, a young Japanese designer with whom he worked until 1985. Two years later, Jean Touitou realised the lack of jeans options in the market when he was trying to find clothes after losing his suitcase. An anecdote at the origin of his ready-to-wear brand: A.P.C created in 1987. The label's main focus was the famous blue canvas. Made from Egyptian silk thread for a raw Japanese denim, the emblematic jeans stood out from faded and fancy models with their minimalist design. Top-of-the-range materials and a refined style were key to A.P.C.'s success. No logos, nor outrageous ornaments or garish colours, the signature wardrobe seduced a sphere of cool intellectuals favouring essentials and timelessness. This fan club included Lou Doillon, Sofia Coppola, Cat Power and the members of the band Metronomy.