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.”
Style.com’s Luke Leitch’s reported his comments were met with “nervous laughter,” and in the days since, several media outlets have wondered if the often inflammatory Touitou finally took things too far. In the same Style.com piece, Touitou defended his comments by alluding to his friendship and recent collaborations with Kanye West. Now, four days later, Timberland has announced that they are severing ties with the French brand and that the collaboration will not be released. See below for the full statement from Timerbland (via Complex).
“We have chosen to immediately terminate our involvement with the A.P.C. brand. 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.”
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