Behind the Brand: A.P.C.

Mr Jean Touitou gained valuable experience working with like-minded creatives at Kenzo in the Seventies, and later at Joseph. A man of many interests, he has always had a passion for music and even ran his own record label for two years prior to launching A.P.C.

The breton striped sweater has nautical origins: it was introduced as part of the uniform for French navy sailors in 1858. Decades later it was given high-fashion legitimacy by Ms Coco Chanel, before becoming a perennial part of the rock'n'roll uniform. Music has always been an integral element of A.P.C.: one out of three people who work for the label is a musician.

The sweater is finely knitted in Europe from heavyweight jersey cotton. The dark green stripes are labeled as 'faux noir' or false black, because they appear black in certain lights. A discreet A.P.C. patch is placed above the hem.

Mr Touitou shuns fashion shows and celebrity culture, instead focusing on musicians and artists. His influences are diverse to say the least: Mr Bruce Weber shot an advertising campaign for the brand using actors from the film Gomorrah, while Mr Touitou was recently inspired by Mr Hugh Holland's photographs of Los Angeles skateboarders in the 1970s.

The durable, heavy-duty zips are engraved with the Bottega Veneta name and are tested several times before the bags leave the workshop. This bag is ideal for carrying a laptop or iPad, as both compartments are padded inside.