This week, designer Jean Touitou presented his Fall/Winter 2015 menswear collection in Paris. The A.P.C. creative director and founder showed a succinct range of 25 looks that highlight his classic, effortless minimalism—a fleet of clothes any dude (with enough dough) could stock his closet with and be set for life. He also said the N-word several times and titled a portion of his collection "LAST NI##@$ IN PARIS" and held a sign up bearing the name.

According to a Style.com reporter who was attending the presentation, Touitou gave the following explanation:

"I call this one look Last N****s in Paris. Why? Because it's the sweet spot when the hood—the 'hood—meets Bertolucci's movie Last Tango in Paris. So that's 'N****s in Paris' and Last N****s in Paris. [Nervous laughter from audience.] Oh, I am glad some people laughed with me. Yes, I mean, it's nice to play with the strong signifiers. The Timberland here is a very strong ghetto signifier. In the ghetto, it is all the Timberlands, all the big chain. Not at the same time—never; it's bad taste. So, we designed Timberlands with Timberland…"

Touitou clarified his position for Style.com saying, "One hip-hop song is called 'N***** in Paris.' One movie is called Last Tango in Paris." Arguably making matters worse, the A.P.C. designer added:

"I made looks which are a cross-over of those two references: the Timberland shoes and the sweat pants are iconic of hip-hop, and the camel hair color coat, worn with nothing under it, is iconic of that precise movie. I am friends with Kanye [West, who recorded "Ni**as in Paris" with Jay Z], and he and I presented a joint collection at the same place, one year ago, and that this thing is only a homage to our friendship. As a matter of fact, when I came up with this idea, I wrote to him, with the picture of the look and the name I was giving to it, and he wrote back immediately saying something like, 'I love this vibe.'"

Ahh yes, the old "I'm friends with Kanye," defense............

Above are the collaboration boots: a fire rendition of Timberland's classic 6" boot rendered in a delicious hazelnut brown colorway. Unfortunately for anyone who was counting down the days until they could buy them, they'll never come out because Touitou's racial slur-laden presentation has caused Timberland to completely sever ties with A.P.C.

In a statement given to Complex, Timberland president Stewart Whitney said:

"We have chosen to immediately terminate our involvement with the A.P.C. brand. Simply stated, this kind of language and approach is in complete contrast with our values.Timberland seeks to collaborate with designers and brands who are at the forefront of lifestyle trends; equally important, they must also share our values. We will not tolerate offensive language or racial slurs of any kind being associated with the Timberland brand."

The question is: Will Kanye weigh in?