agnès b.
CMC (family company of Agnès Troublé) · France
agnès b. is a Paris fashion label founded by designer Agnès Troublé in the mid 1970s, known for understated everyday clothing and the snap cardigan. French Wikipedia describes it as owned by a family company held by Troublé, her children and grandchildren.
| Founded | 1975 (sources vary) |
|---|---|
| Founder | Agnès Troublé |
| Owner | Family company CMC, per French Wikipedia |
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Segment | Premium and contemporary |
| Website | agnesb.com |
What is agnès b.?
agnès b. is a French fashion brand named after its founder, Agnès Troublé. It makes clothing for women, men and children, and is also associated with art, film and publishing projects.
History
French Wikipedia dates the launch to 1975, when the first boutique opened on rue du Jour in Paris, with the brand name registered in 1973; English Wikipedia gives 1976. The snap cardigan, designed in 1979, became a signature piece. Menswear began in 1981 and the first international store opened in SoHo, New York, in 1983, according to English Wikipedia. Galerie du Jour opened in Paris in 1984 and the brand publishes the contemporary art periodical Point d'ironie.
Products and positioning
The clothing is understated and wearable, positioned in the premium segment. Beyond apparel, the brand has produced travel accessories and ran a cosmetics line until 2011. Partnerships have included watches and eyewear with Seiko.
Business model and distribution
French Wikipedia reports that the company, CMC (Comptoir mondial de la création), is a family business wholly owned by Agnès Troublé, her children and her grandchildren. The brand runs its own boutiques in Paris and abroad, with Japan accounting for half of its points of sale, and counted 286 points of sale worldwide in 2017.
Why it matters
agnès b. is one of the longest-running independent French fashion labels, and an unusual case of a brand whose cultural patronage forms part of its public identity.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns agnès b.?
French Wikipedia says the brand's company, CMC, is a family business held 100% by Agnès Troublé, her children and her grandchildren.
Where is agnès b. from?
agnès b. is a French brand founded in Paris by Agnès Troublé in the mid 1970s. Its headquarters has been on rue Dieu in Paris since 1991.