L'Officiel Hommes

Background

L'Officiel Hommes is a French fashion magazine founded in 1977 by Georges Jalou, an extension of the oldest fashion magazine of French origin in publication L'Officiel.

The magazine is a bi-annual publication, published two times per year, for March and October.

L'Officiel Hommes parent publication was founded as the official publication of the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, L'Officiel and L'Officiel Hommes slogan is 'The Official Voice of Fashion' (in French 'la voix officielle de la mode'). Under the control of the Jalou family from the start of publication in 1977 until 2022 when the Jalou family sold the magazine and their publishing house Éditions Jalou in 2022 to AMTD. As of 2025, L'Officiel is under the control of The Generation Essentials Group. The magazine is one of the oldest French mens fashion magazines in operation.

Editors

History

L'Officiel Hommes was launched in 1977 and ceased publication in 1991. The magazine was relaunched in 1996 as L'Officiel Homme, however, in 1997 the magazine rebranded to over a copyright dispute. In 2005, L'Officiel Hommes restarted publication. L'Optimum would cease publication in 2017 and the editorial staff of both publications would merge.

L'Officiel Hommes relaunched in 2005, overseen by Marie-José Susskind-Jalou and edited by Milan Vukmirovic (co-founder of Colette). Vukmirovic's appointment made him the first stylist editor-in-chief of a major French fashion magazine.

In 2012, André a French graffiti artist and nightclub entrepreneur was appointed editor-in-chief and creative director of the publication, succeeding Vukmirovic following his 2011 exit from the magazine.

In 2015, Pablo Arroyo was appointed creative director/editor-in-chief of the magazine, following Arroyo's departure in 2019 Baptiste Piégay took full control of the editor-in-chief position.

Following the closure of L'Optimum in 2017 all staff were transferred to L'Officiel Hommes.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the magazine reduced its print publications from eight issues a year to two issues per year in 2020.

Controversy

Editor Andre Saraiva tagged and defaced National Park property in 2015:

"As the best-known artist who has tagged in a national park, Saraiva has become a favorite target ever since his signature "OX" mark, revered when it adorns man-made structures, popped up on a boulder the size of a large dog kennel at Joshua Tree. He cofounded his error by denying that the boulder was in the park. Answering critics, he posted on Instagram saying his work was "made with love at friends privet back yard and not your national park! [sic]."

Readers then used Google satellite maps, latitude and longitude coordinates and their own field notes to pinpoint the boulder's exact location — inside the park. Facing a torrent of criticism, Saraiva had scrawled, his lawyer acknowledged, what he described as an "insignificant" artistic expression on the rock, using water-based paint that was erased a few days later. The attorney also demanded that Modern Hiker take down its article, saying it made Saraiva the target of "oppressive and unjustified messages that seriously harm his professional and private life."

Modern Hiker's lawyers replied that defacing a national park is prohibited under federal law and may be punishable by a fine and imprisonment. The article remained on the website. On 1 April, Saraiva paid a fine of $275 to the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, officials said. He could not be reached for comment."

Under the direction of André Saraiva, in winter 2012, Benicio del Toro appears on the winter cover of L'Officiel Hommes, looking dapper in his trademark suit and smoldering stare while carrying the stark naked and unconscious woman. The André Saraiva-shot cover is unarguably a bit disturbing. As Styleite notes, "What exactly is supposed to have happened right before the shot was taken? Is she a damsel in distress that was just saved by del Toro (because that would have some pretty sexist undertones), or is it something more sinister?"

Again in summer 2013, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian appears nude on the summer cover. L'Officiel Hommes commissioned Nick Knight from SHOWstudio to shoot a classic story of the duo for their launch during Paris Fashion Week.

International editors

Operating editions

Defunct editions

Other editions

• L'Officiel Hommes Fashion Worldwide (1986–198?)
• L'Officiel Hommes Asia (2025–present)
• L'Officiel Hommes Japan (launching in 2026)

References

https://lofficielpolska.bigcartel.com/product/l-officiel-hommes-polska-nr-10-2020-2021 Model Josh McGregor stars on the cover of L'Officiel Hommes Poland December issue

References

1. (2022-01-20). "L'Officiel Sold to Hong Kong-Based AMTD International".
2. "TGE Pioneers an Iconic Fashion Show at the New York Stock Exchange's Trading Floor".
3. "L'OFFICIEL HOMME".
4. BONNET, Philippe. "L'Officiel Homme revient, sévèrement friqué. Le mensuel édité par Jalou traitera de la consommation masculine haut de gamme.".
5. "French titles and international editions". Les Editions Jalou.
6. Nicole Phelps. (6 August 2012). "As Much as He Can Chew". Style.com.
7. (10 August 2011). "GQ 10 Essential".
8. Godfrey Deeny. (12 May 2011). "L'Officiel Hommes Names Andre Saraiva Creative Director". Fashion Wire Daily.
9. Guilbault, Laure. (27 June 2015). "André Saraiva Exits L'Officiel Hommes". WWD.
10. FR, FashionNetwork com. "Jalou Media Group : L'Optimum s'arrête pour renforcer L'Officiel Hommes".
11. Hays, Kali. (2020-05-12). "L'Officiel Reducing Print as Freelancers Demand Long Overdue Payments".
12. [http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-graffiti-20150427-story.html#page=1 Graffiti artists' move to national parks shocks nature community] Los Angeles Times. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
13. (12 September 2012). "Benicio Del Toro Holds Naked Woman on L'Officiel Hommes Cover (NSFW PHOTO)". Huffington Post.
14. Samantha Randazzo. (9 December 2012). "Benicio Del Toro's Controversial Cover For L'Officiel Hommes (NSFW)". Styleite.
15. David Fischer. (25 February 2013). "Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Pose Nude for L'Officiel Hommes". Highsnobiety.
16. (2 March 2013). "EXCLUSIVE PORTRAITS OF KANYE AND KIM ON SHOWSTUDIO'S PINTEREST NICK KNIGHT FOR L'OFFICIEL HOMME". SHOWstudio.
17. "L'Officiel 2013 Media Kit (International)".
18. (2017-12-22). "'Men's Fitness' magazine ceases publication in Thailand while 'L'Optimum' to be revamped".
19. (1986). "L'Officiel hommes fashion worldwide". Officiel de la couture et de la mode de Paris.
20. "TGE's Successful Strategy in Japan Has Garnered Positive Feedback, Enhanced Market Exposure, and Established Solid Contribution to Business Growth".