.svg){kind=link}
The story
Founded by Kenzō Takada in 1970, in Paris.1
Kenzo Takada, 1970–1998
Kenzo Takada was born in Japan and moved to Paris in 1964 to start his fashion career. He then became known for using Asian influenced style with the construction of European fashion. He started with a 'Jungle Jap' boutique located at Galerie Vivienne and decorated in jungle inspired interior. He began with handmade women's clothing; reportedly, he made his first collection with $200 worth of fabrics bought at a large discount house in Montmartre. The brand became Kenzo after a fashion show in New York in 1976, as the American market considered 'Jungle Jap' too pejorative.
In 1983, Kenzo started designing men and then kids and home collections in 1987, followed by fragrances in 1988.
In 1990, following the death of his life partner, Xavier, and a stroke suffered by his business partner, Takada decided to sell the company.
In 1993, luxury-products maker LVMH acquired Kenzo from SEBP and Financière Truffaut for about $80 million. From 1995, Kenzo also produced Kenzo Studio, a line was produced through a licensing agreement with the Bonaventure Group. While Kenzo developed the line's fashion direction, Studio was sold only in the U.S. and Kenzo retail stores in China.
Kenzo Takada stayed at the label for a few years and retired from fashion in 1999 at the age of 60.
Later years
From 1999 until 2003, Gilles Rosier and Roy Krejberg designed the women's and men's lines, respectively.
From 2006 until 2008, over 100 of Kenzo's stores worldwide were refurbished.
From 2008 until 2011, Antonio Marras served as Kenzo's creative director, overseeing the brand in its entirety. By 2011, Kenzo barely broke even, with annual sales estimated at 150 million euros ($197.4 million).
Read the full text
In 2011, Carole Lim and Humberto Leon of Opening Ceremony were appointed co-creative directors. The pair was credited with revitalizing the Kenzo brand and making it appeal to a younger customer, as well as re-defining and expanding the role of a fashion creative director to encompass all elements of creative work at a brand, not just designing the garments.
By 2017, Kenzo built the accessories and shoe business to almost 30 percent of revenues. Lim and Leon exited Kenzo in 2019. Also in 2019, Kenzo ended its distribution agreement with I.T to take back control of its 35 stores in China via a joint venture with the same partner.
Under the creative direction of Felipe Oliveira Baptista from 2019 to 2021, Kenzo launched a line of men's and women's sportswear, titled Kenzo Sport. In April 2021, Kenzo said it would part ways with Oliveira Baptista by the end of his term in June.
In September 2021, Kenzo appointed Nigo (formerly A Bathing Ape) as their new artistic director.
From Wikipedia’s article on Kenzo (brand), shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5