Q&A - an interaction in four questions
1. How would you define the look you had in mind for this collection, and how do you hope women will make these pieces their own?
AB: I was very flattered to be approached by Judith and Jean to work with A.P.C., a brand I’ve known since my youth. I’ve always appreciated their timeless pieces with a certain nonchalant spirit. I like the idea of a wardrobe that can be passed on from one generation to the next.
2. When and how did you realize that playing with the codes of men’s tailoring was a way of sublimating femininity?
AB: I’ve been wearing men’s suits since I was 17 or 18. I felt comfortable in them and, in a way, I found my ideal uniform. It’s an androgynous look that doesn’t erase femininity.
3. How did you choose the fabrics for your A.P.C. collection and what do they say about your vision of style?
AB: I wanted to offer jackets that could be worn all day long and paired with wardrobe classics: tuxedo shirts in striped poplin or faded denim, cashmere sweaters, wide-leg trousers. I also worked on double denim to create a casual uniform silhouette and a tuxedo you can wear from morning to night. I also imagined a midnight-blue double-breasted wool gabardine blazer that could be worn in the city or on a boat, with buttons emblazoned with my family crest - a tribute to my parents’ style. Finally, the double-breasted checked wool gabardine jacket reminds me so much of the look of characters in Italian movies with Marcello Mastroianni or Ugo Tognazzi, as well as American actresses like Gena Rowlands or Diane Keaton.
4. Accessories add a touch of humor to your creations. Do you think humor contributes to elegance?
AB: The accessories and jewelry are a nod to the epicurean lifestyle I share with Judith and Jean. Our friendship is also based on curiosity and a love for the good and beautiful things in life…
