The New York Times has an interesting piece today on the cult of Acne Jeans (Acne stands for “Ambition to Create Novel Expressions”; it’s not an homage to our least favorite byproduct of adolescence and beyond). Though I’d disagree with writer Eric Wilson that fellow Swedish brands like WeSC, and especially Filippa K, are little more than mere jeans brands, Acne is certainly at the forefront of innovative (and accessible) sportswear from Scandinavia, where everyone appears to be born with the effortlessly chic gene.

The article also gave a nod to the latest edition of Acne Paper, the brand’s fashion mag, edited by Thomas Persson. The fall 09 issue features Tilda Swinton, who, Wilson writes, is styled “to the point of being almost unrecognizable”—isn’t that the whole reason why the chameleonic Swinton is a fave for high fashion titles in the first place? She’s dressed, he continues, “in the guise of the eccentric heiress Marchesa Luisa Casati, who wore live snakes as necklaces and was attended by nude servants.”  Swinton as seductive lizard queen: Not bad. Where to find a copy in this town?

In Los Angeles, the fall collection is available at Opening Ceremony on La Cienega. — Paul Dexter