KENZO TAKADA

Kenzo Takada is an iconic Japanese fashion designer renowned for his eponymous label Kenzo. He is also the founder of Kenzo Paris, a worldwide brand of perfumes, skincare products and clothes. Kenzo attended Tokyo’s prestigious Bunka Fashion College, where he was one of the first male students to be admitted. In 1964 the designer relocated to Paris, which provided the base for his pioneering atelier. In 1970, Kenzo presented his first show at

the Vivienne Gallery in Paris. That same year, he debuted “Jungle Jap,” his first store and his designs were featured in US Vogue as the most exciting development in the Paris boutique scene. He launched his first men’s ready-to-wear collection in 1983, followed by children’s and home collections in 1987. He also masterminded a number of leading fragrances (Kenzo Parfums) and skincare lines (KenzoKI). With his wealth of experience, Kenzo remains highly active in the field of design and fashion and has collaborated on a number of high profile projects spanning hotels to interior design.

ACCOLADES

• Chevalier (Knight) de La Légion d'honneur (2016)

• Chevalier (Knight) de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, (1984)

• Winner of the Fashion Editor Club of Japan prize (1972)

• Winner of the Soen Prize (1960)