Stockholm-born; the Scandinavian luxury house with a global aesthetic.
Acne Studios was founded in 1996 in Stockholm as a creative collective spanning fashion, graphic design, advertising, and film — the name an acronym for Ambition to Create Novel Expressions.
Co-founder Jonny Johansson took over fashion direction in 1997 and remains creative director today.
Founded 1996.
Acne Studios was founded by four Swedes in Stockholm as a creative collective covering fashion, advertising, magazines, and film. The fashion line was a small side project — 100 pairs of raw denim jeans given to friends in 1997. The jeans became a Stockholm cult product within months.
Acne Studios grew through the 2000s by remaining unapologetically Scandinavian — minimal, conceptual, slightly weird — while expanding into ready-to-wear, accessories, and a magazine (Acne Paper, 2005-2014). By the 2010s it was the most globally recognised Swedish fashion brand.
Acne Studios generates approximately €300 million in annual revenue, still privately held by its founders. The brand operates a handful of stores in major cities (Stockholm, Paris, London, NYC, Tokyo) and continues to maintain its niche, slightly-weird positioning.
1 era of creative direction.
Twenty-eight years at the design helm. Johansson's aesthetic — Scandinavian minimalism with a deliberately strange edge — has remained remarkably consistent.
6 icons. Each one a scene; each scene a gallery.
Asymmetric structured shoulder bag.
Knot-clasp shoulder bag inspired by Japanese gift-wrapping.
Bag with rope-detail handles.
Soft shoulder bag with pull-through closure.
Flat clutch with chain strap.
Structured top-handle in leather.