Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios has opened a permanent art gallery called the Acne Paper Palais Royal in its original Paris location, which first opened in 2008. The inaugural exhibition features Dutch photographer Paul Kooiker, who photographed 42 art students from the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam in black-and-white portraits reminiscent of classic school photos. The gallery will host a cross-disciplinary program including exhibitions, artist talks, magazine launches, and book signings.
The opening marks a significant institutionalization of Acne Studios' relationship with the art world, reflecting the brand's long-standing symbiotic connection to contemporary art. By dedicating permanent space to art programming in a fashion retail context, Acne Studios positions itself as a cultural platform rather than merely a clothing brand, highlighting the growing trend of fashion houses investing in art spaces to engage with creative communities and shape cultural discourse.