agnès b.

Agnès b., a French fashion designer and filmmaker, is known for her eponymous brand that encompasses both fashion and film interests. Born Agnès Andrée Marguerite Troublé in 1941 in Versailles, France, she graduated from École du Louvre in Paris. Her fashion career began when Elle magazine staffers noticed her unique style at a Paris flea market and hired her as a junior editor.

In 1973, Agnès registered her brand name, which stemmed from her earlier days at Elle magazine when she had to sign an article and used "agnès b." as her byline. The following year, she opened her first store in an old butcher's shop in Les Halles, Paris, which served as both her office, workshop, and a space for expression and encounters. The store featured posters, graffiti, and birds flying freely around, creating a unique and communal atmosphere.

Agnès b.'s style is characterized by its subtlety, chicness, and casualness, which helped establish her as a fashion icon in Paris. In 1979, she created the snap cardigan, a practical and minimalist design that became a signature piece for the brand. The brand has always been committed to promoting French know-how, working with the same manufacturers and maintaining between 30 and 40% of its production in France, depending on the season.

In addition to fashion, Agnès b. has also made significant contributions to film. She founded a joint film concern with Harmony Korine called O'Salvation and designated an entity for personal projects named Love Streams. She has supplied completion funds to filmmakers such as Gaspar Noé and Claire Denis and underwritten numerous film festivals. Agnès b. has also directed two documentaries, Une sorte de journal vidéo in 2011 and Je m'appelle Hmmm.... in 2013.