The N-word is never in vogue: Fashion Designer UsesThe N-Word To Describe Latest Collection

The N-word is never in vogue. However, A.P.C.'s founder Jean Touitou clearly didn't get that memo. The french designer used the expletive several times...

Jay Z and Kanye West’s Grammy nominated single “N*ggas In Paris” will now have a clothing collection with its namesake.

A.P.C clothing line founder Jean Touitou has decided to name a part of his fall/winter 2015 line “N*ggas In Paris.”  “I call this one look Last N*ggas in Paris. Why? Because it’s the sweet spot when the hood meets Bertolucci’s movie Last Tango in Paris. So that’s ‘N*ggas in Paris’ and Last N*ggas in Paris. Oh, I am glad some people laughed with me. Yes, I mean, it’s nice to play with the strong signifiers. The Timberland here is a very strong ghetto signifier. In the ghetto, it is all the Timberlands, all the big chain. Not at the same time—never; it’s bad taste. So we designed Timberlands with Timberland.”

After making this bold explanation, he released a statement to Style.com clarifying what he meant. He added that once he ran the idea past Mr. West to name part of the collection after his song, he gave him his blessing.

“One hip-hop song is called ‘Ni**as in Paris.’ One movie is calledLast Tango in Paris,” he said. “I made looks which are a cross-over of those two references: the Timberland shoes and the sweat pants are iconic of hip-hop, and the camel hair color coat, worn with nothing under it, is iconic of that precise movie. I am friends with Kanye and he and I presented a joint collection at the same place, one year ago, and that this thing is only a homage to our friendship. As a matter of fact, when I came up with this idea, I wrote to him, with the picture of the look and the name I was giving to it, and he wrote back immediately saying something like, ‘I love this vibe.'”

UPDATE: 
A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou has issued the following statement to GQ on A.P.C.'s severed relationship with Timberland:

When describing our brand's latest collaboration, I spoke recklessly using terms that were both ignorant and offensive. I apologize and am deeply regretful for my poor choice of words, which are in no way a reflection of my personal views.

UPDATE: 
A press representative for Timberland has issued a statement from the company's president, Stewart Whitney, saying it has severed ties 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.

The french designer used the expletive several times during the presentation of his fall 2015 Men's collection in Paris on Sunday. While models stood dressed in a range of casual sportswear and A.P.C.-designed Timberlands, Touitou held up a sign that read "Last Ni##@$ IN PARIS."

Oh, Kanye!