Understated branding is a signature at A.P.C. On the heels of the announcement of their capsule collection Louis W, A.P.C. has also taken it upon themselves to give the NIKE Air Max and NIKE Dunk their unmistakable minima-twist. Dressing down the shoes in a navy, ecru and brown colour palette means they will suit just about any wardrobe, an idea that “came from being able to wear a trainer with a chic winter coat – especially for women. Most trainers are fluro-coloured or floral which doesn’t go well with a navy pea coat!”

Trainers are back, and a casual birth of sport’s intrinsic ties with fashion makes perfect sense in a sneaker. Being ‘on trend’, however, was out of mind for this pairing. “I don’t really care about what’s popular. We are obsessed with these classic shapes of NIKE—the Dunk and the Air Max. That and I happen to have a friend at NIKE so [the collab] was made possible. It has been three years in development, so any overlap with a trend is a coincidence.”

The NIKE Dunk, which comes in three variations—navy, ecru, and brown—paves the way for stylish comfort. They are suede, after all. The NIKE Air Max is a bit more functional with dark navy canvas, a black swoosh and gum soles. Mum’s the word in branding, with the only evidence of A.P.C. being the logo sewn into the tongue. The sneakers weren’t minified on purpose; in the footwear concert, every other shoe is just too loud. “I don’t see any understatement here. Maybe other sneakers are just too much overstated.”

Nothing more is needed, however, as these discrete trainers are accessible in design, price and outlook. Coinciding with A.P.C.’s Fall/Winter collection, the A.P.C. NIKE Dunk and Air Max will be available exclusively through A.P.C. stores and apc.fr on the 30^th of August. Next stop for A.P.C.? “I am working on a children’s colouring book with the people at Apartamento magazine.”