Kenzo is a Paris-based brand that has a contemporary Japanese character and has become a favourite among street fashion lovers
STORY
TAWAN KONKAEW
PHOTOGRAPHY
COURTESY OF BRANDS
You might be familiar with the roaring tiger logo usually seen on T-shirts. If you didn’t know already, it’s Kenzo, a French luxury fashion house founded over 50 years ago which still remains relevant and edgy today.
Back in 1970, Japanese designer Kenzo Takada opened his first boutique in Paris, using inspirations from Japanese and Asian culture with Western-style silhouettes and cutting techniques. His designs were well-received in the fashion world. Later in 1983, the first Kenzo menswear collection was launched, followed by kids and home collection in 1987. His powerful style and quirky designs attracted the attention of global fashion giant LVMH, who acquired Kenzo in 1993 and made the brand world-famous with clever marketing strategies.
The women’s collection is sophisticated with fresh and effortless elegance, delicate touches, and a mix of classic
In 2011, Kenzo announced the appointment of Humberto Leon and Carol Lim as Creative Directors of Kenzo. The duo brought with them a fresh, youthful and more accessible sensibility to the label. In the Spring/Summer 2019 collection, the menswear and womenswear collections are ostensibly informed by summer ceremonies: gatherings of all sorts and the jubilation of rituals, occasions where New-Romantic hedonists meet British wedding goers and all the in-betweens.
The men’s lineup revolved around a sporty silhouette. Kenzo explored the above qualities with a blending of tailoring and sportswear i.e. collarless double-breasted jackets in cotton/linen, rubber-coated jacquard, kimono-style suits and nylon medallion prints. Trousers and shorts are wide and come in both straight and cropped variations. Rose prints take on acid checks and vivid blues take on neutral beige.
The women’s collection is sophisticated with fresh and effortless elegance, delicate touches, and a mix of classic and quirky textiles, such as engaging combinations of stripes and silk, contrasting colours like yellow and cobalt, graphic rose patterns and gingham patterns, and dot motifs on stripes on summery dresses. Coats are fun with python prints and pink vinyl. Cocoon bombers are contrasted with strict tailored jackets. Nylon dresses in lilac and orange allow women to move freely.
For accessories, Kenzo introduced two new styles: the dot and the goody, inspired by shopping bags.
Inspired by different shaped carrier bags, they appear colour blocked, embossed or in the prints of the season
For accessories, Kenzo introduced two new styles: the dot and the goody, inspired by shopping bags. Inspired by different shaped carrier bags, they appear colour blocked, embossed or in the prints of the season. Footwear of rubberised chunky platforms in checks or delicate summer sandals with a contrast kitten heel round off the proportioned silhouettes. Geometric earrings compliment the more ornate embroidered jewelry.
For men’s footwear, rubber jelly sandals walk alongside suede slipper moccasins and the often revisited Kenzo sonic sneaker.
*Kenzo is now available at King Power Srivaree.
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