This past weekend, Jean Touitou of A.P.C. ruffled more than a few feathers during the presentation of his 2015 Fall/Winter collection. As the models walked out in their camel coats, grey sweatpants and A.P.C.-designed Timberland boots, Touitou held up a sign that read, “Last Ni##@$ IN PARIS.” He later explained that he got the inspiration from Kanye and Jay Z’s famed song and Last Tango In Paris.
“I call this one look Last N****s in Paris,” Touitou said. “Why? Because it’s the sweet spot when the hood—the ‘hood—meets Bertolucci’s movie Last Tango in Paris. So that’s ‘N****s in Paris’ and Last N****s in Paris… The Timberland here is a very strong ghetto signifier. In the ghetto, it is all the Timberlands, all the big chain.”
SEE ALSO: The Kanye Effect: A.P.C. Founder Titled Portion Of 2015 Collection ‘Last Ni**as In Paris’
Even though Kanye West allegedly gave him the A-okay to use that title, Stewart Whitney, President of Timberland, was not pleased with the reference nor the backlash being affiliated with his brand. His team contacted us exclusively to release a statement on Timberland’s status with A.P.C.:
Yesterday we became aware of the offensive remarks made by Jean Touitou during his A.P.C. Fall Menswear show in Paris. We have chosen to immediately terminate our involvement with the A.P.C. brand, including the footwear collaboration we had planned for this fall.
Simply stated, this kind of language and approach is in complete contrast with our values. Timberland seeks to collaborate with designers and brands who are at the forefront of lifestyle trends; equally important, they must also share our values. We will not tolerate offensive language or racial slurs of any kind being associated with the Timberland brand.
Photo Credit: A.P.C.