In the historic surroundings of the Lycée Henri IV, ACNE premiered its Spring/Summer 2012 collection to a packed house of the world’s leading press, buyers, artists and actors. Amongst those on hand were REM’s Michael Stipe, The Libertines’ Carl Barat, actors Joel Edgerton & Andy Gillet, Katerina Jebb and Michelle Jank enjoyed a soundtrack by Yourhighness, Bogdan Irkik, Jimmy Tenor and Erol Alkan with Boys Noize. Having seen stills from the shoe, here is a great video providing further insight into the collection.

“It started close to home.  It’s all about functionalism and Swedish purity.  Working with a 1970′s aesthetic – which in Sweden, was a time when we were really introduced to a denim culture – clothing became no fuss, almost political, democratic, rustic and natural.  It was not about luxury, it was about style.

Clashing this with the idea of modern sports attire – creating a tight, elegant, but always functional silhouette.  I find the way you dress for sports really interesting.  Looking at friends of mine and the way they dress for sports, I’ve been really inspired.  It’s like a new way of dressing up.

The same approach lent itself to the fabrics.  Raw suede, textured linen and heavy cotton knits clash with slick polyester, double knit viscose and crisp nylon.  Black exists as a blank canvas for me… and then I layer ochre, rust, nude, and a bit of red and green on top just to confuse you.”

Jonny Johansson