Acne Paper #21
220 x 270 mm, 500+ pages
Stockholm, Sweden
Founder: Jonny Johansson
Editor-in-chief and creative director: Thomas Persson
Art direction and design: Fred Birdsall Studio
This 21st edition of Acne Paper—themed ‘Autoportrait’—celebrates three decades of its publisher Acne Studios, with an homage to the spirit of independence that has defined the brand since its inception in 1996. The themes that unfold in this issue echo the ethos of co-founder and creative director Jonny Johansson, whose creative process encompasses a wider cultural lens and is defined by dialogue ‘between people, between creative disciplines, and between different ways of seeing the world.’
Opening this issue is a deep dive into an ever-growing catalogue of Acne Studios stores, with fashion editor-turned-architect Sophie Hicks sharing her thoughts on what makes branded spaces work, while Jonny Johansson calls in to reflect on their first store, just a stone’s throw from the current Stockholm flagship. Elsewhere, London gallerist Sadie Coles sits down with Jennifer Higgie to discuss the synergy between art, fashion and visual culture, as well as her penchant for medieval footwear; editor-in-chief Thomas Persson revisits the first incarnation of Acne Paper, its 2021 book-style relaunch and evolution since; and Ben Evans catches up with artist and longstanding Acne Studios collaborator Viviane Sassen, reflecting on art school, Acne campaigns, and parenthood.
Plus, flick to the back to find a ‘guestbook’ furnished with anecdotes and reflections from Acne Studios friends and collaborators including Cindy Crawford, Bobby Gillespie, Bladee and Sam Abell.
Originally created to help lift the Acne Jeans brand in support of its metamorphosis into a full-on fashion label, the first 15 issues of Acne Paper came in a tabloid-format with a timeless, classic editorial design. This new format is quite different—smaller pages but chunkier—and just as smart as the original issues.