kenzo
1970
Paris, France
Kenzo Takada
LVMH
Kenzo is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. Known for its Asian influence on traditional European styles, the brand’s tiger emblem has become ubiquitous and spotted on celebs the world over and fronted everything from sweatshirts to accessories and homeware.
Kenzo’s design is currently headed up by artistic director NIGO.
Though some would consider the poppy to be indicative of Kenzo, the label is perhaps best known for its iconic Tiger logo. The tiger first appeared before former creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon took over. Their decision to remove the brand’s previously iconic flowers was originally met with criticism in the industry but became part and parcel with their approach to the label’s vision. In recent years, however, Kenzo’s flowers have returned.
Kenzo opens his first boutique called Jungle Jap.
Takada adds menswear and kids clothing to the Kenzo roster.
Kenzo homeware launches.
The Kenzo perfume line launches with Parfum d’été.
The label is bought by luxury fashion conglomerate LVMH.
Gilles Rosier takes over the house as head designer after Takada retires.
Antonio Marras is appointed as creative director.
Humberto Leon and Carol Lim become creative directors and head designers of the brand.
Kenzo teams up with Vans for the first in an ongoing series of collabs.
Kenzo teams up with H&M for a limited edition collab.
Portugese designer Felipe Oliveira Baptista takes over as creative director of the brand.
Japanese streetwear designer NIGO becomes KENZO’s artistic director after Baptista leaves earlier in the year.
