Kenzo Fashion Story

Kenzo Studying at the Bunka College of Fashion in Tokyo, Kenzo Takada had a brief stint working in Japan, before relocating to Paris in 1965, to work as a freelance designer.

After working with the Pisanti textile group, and later with Relations Textiles, a consulting company, Kenzo took over a boutique in 1970. The boutique, Jungle Jap, offered simple, practical, wearable designs that ran counter to the haute couture designs. The boutiques different style, immediately attracted models and trendsetters.

Kenzo presented his collections in New York and Tokyo in 1971. Following this he won the ‘Fashion Editor Club of Japan’s prize’ the next year.

Proving his theatricality, in 1978 and 1979, he held his shows in a circus tent, featuring performers on horse wearing transparent uniforms, as well as himself riding an elephant.