Prepare to dive into the captivating world of Agnès b, a fashion icon with a unique perspective on style and life.
The Power of Personal Style
Agnès b shares her take on fashion, revealing that her personal style is more about self-expression than following trends. She wears her heart on her sleeve, quite literally, with two beloved rings: a self-designed gold ring and a little diamond find from the streets of Paris. But it's not just about jewelry; she also sports badges with messages, a way to communicate her beliefs to the world.
Supporting Young Talent
Agnès b's love for art extends beyond her own creations. She recently acquired two pieces by Max Coulon, a young sculptor from Paris. Max's unique technique of pouring concrete into children's clothing to create small figures caught her eye. She believes in supporting emerging artists, seeing it as a win-win: an encouragement for the artist and a gift for herself.
A Place of Meaning
La Baie de la Garoupe in Cap d'Antibes holds a special place in Agnès b's heart. It was here, at just three and a half years old, that her father taught her to swim. This bay also holds historical significance, as it was a favorite spot of Picasso in the 1950s. Agnès b even had a memorable encounter with Picasso, receiving a kiss and a compliment that she cherishes to this day.
Souvenirs with a Story
When Agnès b travels, she collects unique souvenirs - not the typical tourist trinkets, but natural objects like stones, shells, and leaves. Her favorites include escargot shells from Brittany and oysters, which become expressive and white after rolling in the sea for a long time. These natural treasures are transformed into jewelry by Constance Maure, a talented jeweler, and are particularly popular with girls in Japan.
The Story Behind the Brand Name
The brand name 'Agnès b.' has an interesting origin. After her divorce from Christian Bourgois, Agnès b suggested a simple yet distinctive name - a 'b dot', inspired by how names are written in news stories. The logo is her own handwriting, a style she's maintained since she was 12 years old, which her mother found amusing.
A Love for the 18th Century
When it comes to books, Agnès b's recent favorite is 'The Châtelet Apprentice' by Jean-François Parot, set in 18th-century Paris. This era fascinates her, perhaps influenced by her upbringing in Versailles, just steps away from the Château. She appreciates the architectural style of Louis XV and the art of the 18th century, especially the elegant silhouettes of women with small busts and big skirts.
Music and More
Although Agnès b doesn't use Spotify, she's a music lover with eclectic tastes, ranging from classical and rock to French rap. She recently discovered the musician Chevalier de Saint-Georges, inspired by a book about him. His unique background, as the son of an enslaved mother and a Guadeloupe plantation owner, and his success in the court of Versailles, resonated with her. Agnès b also has her own web radio in her stores, curated by Yann Le Marec, who constantly discovers new music and even samples sentences from her interviews.
Style Icons and Film Inspiration
Agnès b's style icons are men like Marcello Mastroianni and Jean-Paul Belmondo. She appreciates the way their unique clothing choices become their signature, like Belmondo's jacket, tie, and chapeau in 'À Bout de Souffle'. She also draws inspiration from films, citing Brigitte Bardot's beautiful yellow robe in 'Le Mépris'. Growing up in a conservative family, discovering the films of Jean-Luc Godard opened her eyes to a different perspective on the world, especially during the demonstrations against the Algerian war.
The Power of Flowers
Flowers hold a special place in Agnès b's heart. Her favorite gifts are bouquets, especially tuberoses. Paul Lasfargues, her fit model for men's collections, recently gifted her a beautiful bouquet of daisies and baby's breath, which inspired her to create a portrait of him based on Titian's 'Man with a Glove'. The photograph of Paul now hangs in the Centre Pompidou-Metz.
A Circle of Artist Friends
Agnès b is surrounded by artist friends, including Gilbert & George and Jay Jopling, whom she admires greatly. She has a collection of around 6,000 art pieces, some at home and the rest in special storage, which she sometimes lends to museums. Her collection includes Polaroids from Warhol and beautiful pieces by Alexander Calder and Basquiat. She met Basquiat at an exhibition in Paris and spent hours talking with him in a pizzeria instead of attending a dinner, captivated by his cultured nature and knowledge of the Greeks and Latin.
Fridge Essentials
In her fridge, you'll always find butter with pieces of Guérande salt, fresh milk, and Żubrówka, a Polish vodka with a blade of grass inside. She enjoys a small shot of this vodka before dinner, a simple pleasure that brings her joy.
Generosity and Giving Back
Agnès b believes in sharing her wealth. She thinks it's immoral for rich people not to pay their taxes and to avoid paying people for their work. She works hard, contributing 65% to the state, and feels that her efforts are recognized through the medals she's received.
The Power of a Pen
Her most cherished possession is a pen - the Tradio Pulaman TRJ50 by Pentel, designed in collaboration with Agnès b, featuring a small 'b' on it. This refillable pen is her tool of choice, with which she designs all her creations.
Indulgences and Comforts
When it comes to indulgences, Agnès b keeps it simple. Her favorite morning treat is a good baguette with butter. She also sleeps with an old piece of white chiffon, a comfort item she's had since childhood, full of holes but irreplaceable.
A Fashion Journey
Agnès b didn't set out to work in fashion. She hated sewing, preferring to draw. It was her work as a stylist that led her to open her first store in 1976, selling workman-style clothes that quickly became successful. She credits the press for making her brand, as they recognized something unique in her boutique. She maintains that she doesn't do fashion; she creates clothes.
Exhibitions and Curating
Currently, Agnès b is curating the 'Humanité' exhibition at LaFab, her gallery on Place Jean-Michel Basquiat. The exhibition will feature precious pieces from Warhol and Harmony Korine, as well as African artists like Malick Sidibé. She loves the process of curating, bringing together different elements in a way that people can understand and appreciate.
Beauty Essentials
For beauty, Agnès b relies on Fracas by Robert Piguet, a fragrance she's worn for 40 years, loving the smell of tuberose. She also takes care of her skin, never going to bed without washing her face and applying cream. Her favorite moisturizer is La Prairie's Caviar Cream, which she finds effective and long-lasting.
Saving the Treasures
If Agnès b's home were on fire, she'd save her family's encyclopédie Diderot et d'Alembert, an 18th-century treasure with beautiful engravings. She'd also grab her favorite leather jacket, a practical choice.
Collecting Art
If she could collect the work of any artist, it would be Jean-Antoine Watteau, whose painting 'Pierrot' inspired the buttons on Agnès b's signature Snap cardigan. But she's content with the artists she's discovered, like Claire Tabouret, who's creating stained-glass windows for Notre-Dame, and Max Coulon. She enjoys discovering young artists and supporting their talent.
Wellbeing and Relaxation
Agnès b doesn't follow wellness trends like yoga. Instead, she finds relaxation in swimming, a year-round activity at the pool in the Trianon Palace in Versailles.
A Busy Mind, No Time for Podcasts
Podcasts aren't for Agnès b; she's always active, finding relaxation in activity. As Michel de Montaigne, a 16th-century French writer, said, 'L'action me repose' - activity relaxes me. This philosophy resonates with Agnès b, who always finds something to do and stays busy with her large family, including 17 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Beliefs and Beyond
When it comes to life after death, Agnès b is uncertain but hopeful, wishing to see her father again. She believes in the soul and its immortality.
Hotel Love
Hotels hold a special place for Agnès b, especially the Hong Kong Peninsula hotel with its bathroom overlooking the port and city lights. While she doesn't travel much due to her work, she finds hotels a fantastic space when spending time with her big family.
Architectural Appreciation
Her favorite building is the Académie Française in Paris, with its two wings that resemble open arms and a footbridge connecting it to the Louvre. To her, it symbolizes the embrace of people and culture.
A Different Life
If she could live another life, Agnès b would choose to be a farmer. She spent a short time on a farm as a child and loved the experience, especially the magic of being surrounded by nature and animals.
Inspiration and Work Ethic
When Agnès b needs inspiration, she goes to her table and works. She never struggles with inspiration, feeling that her customers understand and appreciate her designs. She works every day at a large oval desk on the sixth floor of Agnès b's office on rue Dieu, still designing and drawing everything herself.
The Best Advice
The best advice Agnès b ever received was to be herself. It's a simple yet powerful message that has guided her throughout her life and career.
