The History And History Of Kenzo's Fashion House

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Created in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo
Takada, Kenzo has a vibrant history of legendary prints, the gathering of motifs, the mix and diversity of fabrics, and the most admirable spirit that has made this Parisian based fashion house an incredibly notable spokesman for aesthetics, divergence and universal culture. Throughout all its years of establishing itself as not just a fashion house but also transitioning to a respected brand, and a well-loved one at that, Kenzo has managed to inject a sense of freshness and liveliness, and breathe life into the French fashion industry at times where it was needed the most.
With very humble beginnings in Japan, born in a teahouse and initially picking up his interest in fashion through his sister’s fashion magazines,
Takada travelled to Paris on a boat, a journey that took a month and exposed him to many different cultures, in 1964. Opening his boutique “Jungle
Jap” and presenting his first runway show in 1970, his work emanated freshness, originality, lightness and a poetry and clever use of motifs, mixes and tones that was missing in the paris scene at that time. The audience, largely consisting of friends and contacts he had made since arriving in Paris 5 years earlier, were both astonished and awed in equal measures as his garments appeared on the catwalk, a Fall/Winter season of vibrant colors and wintry textures that forged unexpected alliances between body and garment. Clashing and contrasting cheap fabrics he had bought, Kenzo created a compelling range of complicated cuts and free-flowing shapes.
These early pieces were a breath of fresh air that heralded the bold and distinctive use of colours and materials that would later emerge as Kenzo’s signature and define the spirit of hi...

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...ng lace-ups and animal camouflage print the most fun and funky it has been in some time, once again, a popular hit with its target market, yet still maintaining its luxurious, high-end and renowned image. By choosing popular brands that have made their mark in street fashion and have gained an almost cult-like following, Kenzo has managed to expand their market greatly, making teenagers and young people alike aspire to be what the brand represents and be part of it.
Following the decision of reaching out to a younger target market, the new KENZO logo, developed by
Meiré und Meiré keeps the shape of the original bamboo logo, tweaking it and giving it neon stripes that give it a new edgy feel. The stripes allow the logo to be played with across different mediums and products, and give it a new dimension of interest that makes the brand feel exciting and visually bold.

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