Closet Archive #A: Agnès b (2)

Hope you enjoy the part one of our Agnès b feature last week, if you have miss it, just click the link!

In 1980, Agnès opened her first overseas store at Soho, New York where she was in love with that generic vibe and rebel energy that was going on at that time. Shortly after, the brand started to garner worldwide recognition. Being a keen observer of life, Agnès began her journey of corporate expansion–transforming Agnès b into a lifestyle brand by incorporating it into areas within her field of interest. Along the year, these interests have outgrown into a business with 282 stores and more than 2000 employees working in the world of Agnès b.

The World of Agnes b

1. Fashion

As the pillar of her empire, Agnès's fashion label has retained its essence of simplicity and sophistication for almost four decades. Despite the age of 73, she is still leading the team to breed the annual collections consisting of Femme and Homme.

Where most fashion labels today outsource their production to developing countries in order to minimise their labour costs. Agnès on the other hand, sees things in a different perspective and carries her corporate responsibility in sustaining the French textile industry. Approximately over 40% of the Agnès b products are still manufactured in France. These products are specially labelled with the "Fabriqué en France" tag and serves to pass down the set of knowledge-based traditions and techniques.

2. Galleries - (Galerie du Jour & 50 Howard Street)   

Fulfilling her childhood dream as a museum curator, Agnès now has two unpretentious areas to exhibit the art she adores. In 1984, She and Jean-René opened Galerie du Jour, her first contemporary art gallery right next to her first shop. The gallery relocated to 44 rue Quincampoix in 1996 and a bookstore was opened at the gallery entrance in 2001. A few years after, an unique concept of a gallery boutique, 50 Howards Street was opened at her first overseas expansion point, New York. The place has the most complete collection of her line and also displays the artworks from the young artists she's worked with.

3.Media - (Love Stream & Point d'ironie) 

In 1997, after years of contribution to the film industry, she founded an audiovisual company, Love Streams that was named after John Cassavetes's eponymous production in paying tribute to her passion for cinema. The company has constantly had long-term collaborations with different filmmakers such as Harmony Korine to orchestrate different varieties of productions; click here to find out more. And finally on the 70th Venice Film Festival 2013, Agnès released her first directorial debut, My Name is Hmmmm.     

That same year, she also started The Point d'ironie after a discussion with artists, Chrisitan Boltanski and Hans Ulrich Oba. The Point d'ironie is a half magazine and half poster publication, scheduled for six to eight issues annually. An artist will be selected to take charge of each issue and the results will be distributed freely in all museum galleries, bookstores, cinemas and Agnès b stores world wide.

4. Asia Expansion

It has been two decades since the brand ventured into Asia with their establishment of the Hong Kong head-quarters. The team has constantly assisted Agnès in meeting the taste of their oriental customers and the business has since expanded into ventures celebrating its French native. 

Fashion - Sports b 

 A sub-division known as Sports b where the line represents more energetic, sporty and youthful apparels was created to integrate with the increasingly urbanised city life in Asia. Moreover, it is also music inspired where the line is well-known for its Sports b plugged music festival, often held at Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.  

Restaurants & Cafes (Le Pain Grillé,  Cafe L.P.G & Agnès b Délices  ) 

Named by Agnès herself, Le Pain Grillé means "toasted bread" , which is an essential in the daily French diet. Together with Cafe L.P.G and Agnès b Délices, this food and beverage division aims to introduce French gourmet and serves as a relaxation spot to enrich the hectic city life of Hong Kong. In recent years, Cafe L.P.G has expanded its branch to the neighbouring country, Taiwan.

 Agnès b Fleuriste

In one random occasion, Agnès mentioned her dream of becoming a florist when she was 15 to the Hong Kong Agnès b team. The florist idea was then inspired and followed by the birth of Agnès b Fleuriste. Today, it provides a wide range of bouquets and baskets for different festivals and events, exclusively in Hong Kong only.

Art (Agnès b. LIBRAIRIE GALERIE & Agnès b CINEMA) 

Agnès's devotion towards art was extended from the west to the east. In 2001, the one and only Agnès b art gallery in Asia, Agnès b. LIBRAIRIE GALERIE was officially opened in Hong Kong, Hollywood Road. It constantly showcases art exhibitions of the young international and local artists that she adores and supports. 

Likewise, her passion towards cinema also leads to her annual contribution to funding the Hong Kong Art Centre. Thus, the centre was renamed as Agnès b CINEMA in the year of 2003. The films on screen in this cinema was periodically selected by her to allow the local audience to be involved in her cinema world. 

Still, this is not the end of the story. As a successful entrepreneur, Agnès never forgets and always engages with full commitment to charity work. For that, we will cover with details in next week's Closet Archive. Have a Good Week! 

Image via  Agnès b, Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong Arts Centre