AMI Paris is a French luxury ready-to-wear brand founded in 2011 by Alexandre Mattiussi — a designer whose name, initials (A.M.I.), and choice of brand name (French for “friend”) are all the same word. Born in 1980, Mattiussi trained at the École Duperré in Paris and spent formative years designing menswear at Dior Homme, Givenchy (where he served as first assistant for menswear before Riccardo Tisci arrived), and Marc Jacobs. He founded AMI at 30 — after a first attempt in 2002 that he closed before relaunching with proper investment — to make the clothes he actually wanted to wear: relaxed, quality Parisian menswear with warmth and accessibility built in.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2011 (relaunched; first attempt 2002)
- Founder/Creative Director: Alexandre Mattiussi (born 1980, Paris)
- Headquarters: 54 Rue Étienne Marcel, Paris, France
- Stockists: 300+ internationally
- Notable: ANDAM Prize winner 2013; minority LVMH investment stake 2022
- Industry: French Contemporary Menswear and Womenswear
History
Mattiussi’s first collection in 2011 was immediately picked up by Mark Lee at Barneys New York. AMI won the ANDAM prize — France’s most prestigious fashion award — in 2013. Mattiussi became a member of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in 2016. By 2018 he launched menswear-inspired collections for women (“menswear for women”), formally expanding to womenswear that same year. In 2022, LVMH’s investment arm took a minority stake, positioning AMI for accelerated growth while Mattiussi retained creative control. The brand now has boutiques in Paris, Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, New York, and China, with 300+ stockists globally. Sales reportedly grew by at least 50% each season through the brand’s first decade.
Aesthetic
Mattiussi’s stated goal: “dressing as many men as I can” with “real clothes for a real man.” AMI’s design language is “Parisian cool” — boxy coats and tailoring, slouchy suiting in quality fabrics, logo crewnecks with the “Ami de Cœur” heart logo, casual shirts, and effortless separates that blur the line between casual and chic. The brand occupies a specific gap: cheaper than luxury, more expensive than high street, with genuine quality and Parisian ease. Stocked at Selfridges, Mr Porter, SSENSE, Dover Street Market, and leading department stores globally.
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