For a New York Fashion Week first, Jean Touitou brought his newest A.P.C. collection to Manhattan’s Bank Street for a presentation fit for anywhere—even the gym. The outspoken designer, as we know, hails from Paris, but Parisians, on the other hand, may not understand his miniature segue from staple pieces to athleisure. Introducing his most recent collection, with microphone in hand and at the end of the presentation stage, Touitou described a few pieces to the audience as a capsule collection with New York-based athletic wear company Outdoor Voices. Tyler Haney, founder of Outdoor Voices, was tucked snugly next to Touitou and company, admiring the lineup of styles in the front of the room, as looks made their way from A.P.C. corduroy skirts, car coats, high-watered jeans to workout tops, legging-like pants, and zip-up jackets in neutral palettes and with light adornments.
A.P.C. refuses to be anything but elegant, and according to Touitou, one must be elegant at all times, even at the gym. He spoke of the importance of this, while noting that his partnership with Outdoor Voices was giving the public something to look put-together in, while still feeling somewhat comfortable.
Courtesy of A.P.C.
“I was introduced to [Outdoor Voices] by a common friend, and then immediately, it was a ‘love at first sight’ situation,” said Touitou. “We decided to do a collaboration. And then, eventually, they were raising money… so we are partnered,” he explained.
Of the newly diverse collection, it was hard not to wonder what his favorite piece was. “I really love the leather, the molded leather back,” he said, ushering us to a smaller leather purse with rounded corners. “It’s a very old technique that’s quite unique, because you have to have the leather totally wet, and then you have to nail it against the wood mold. I think it’s really classy and looks used.”
Courtesy of A.P.C.
“I don’t want to be revolutionary in the clothes. I think the main thing is to work on the cut, on the fabric, and to propose new [designs],” Touitou added. “I do fashion to be worn. I do not do fashion to be famous with.”
