Agnès b.

Fashion designer and pioneer Agnès b. opened her first boutique on the rue du Jour in 1975, in a butcher shop abandoned a dozen years earlier when the old food halls decamped. Her flagship store captured the spirit of the times, with art posters, graffiti and music. Her instantly successful early designs have become emblematic: striped cotton fisherman’s sweaters in off beat colors and the cardigan pression, a square-cut, snap-down cardigan in black, lipstick pink, or whatever color takes her current fancy. One of the few designers to thrive through fashion’s ebbs and flows—and to receive the French Légion d’Honneur—Agnès b. now has a worldwide presence and a foundation that underscores her commitment to art, music, film, international charities and the environment.

Rue du Jour is now the home base of the Agnes b. universe, with four boutiques—womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and her travel-inspired boutique Agnès b. Voyage. The sprawling women’s boutique on two floors houses her pet projects: CDs of her favorite music, artists’ tee shirts, or whatever other pulse her finger might be on. Whether for men, women or kids, the clothes are all remarkably versatile, sturdy and well made, and encourage creative mixing and matching.

2, 3, 4 and 6 rue du Jour, 1st, 01.45.08.56.56. website

Originally published in the November 2011 issue of France Today