The House of KENZO was founded in Paris in 1970 by Takada Kenzo.

Kenzo, a native of Himeiji, Japan, attended Tokyos prestigious Bunka Fashion College as one of its first male students before making the move from Tokyo to Paris, where he opened his first boutique, Jungle Jap. He surprised the fashion world with his originality and the apparent celebration of diverse cultures, nature and colors in his designs. Following his success in the 1970s, he launched a series of new collections for men, women and children before creating KENZO PARFUMS in 1987 and launching his first womens fragrance in 1988, a sent beau, which was an immediate success. Since 1988, KENZO PARFUMS has been the creator of some of the most groundbreaking fragrances of the past decades, such as Flower by Kenzo, Kenzo Amour, Leau par Kenzo, and Summer by Kenzo. In 1993, the KENZO brand joined the LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton company. In 1999, Takada Kenzo decided to leave the artistic direction of the KENZO brand and set out on a new journey in life. This year also celebrated Kenzos 30th anniversary in the industry. Odile Lobadowsky was named president and CEO of KENZO PARFUMS and in the following year, Patrick Guedj was named creative director. The year 2000 marked the birth of FlowerbyKenzo, a fragrance that invented the scent of the poppy, and quickly became a classic in the perfume world. Since then KENZO PARFUMS continues to express the original values of the brand: attachment to nature, poetry, mixing of East and West and a playful marriage of contrasts. These elements along with the vagabond spirit of the brand are present in all forms of KENZO PARFUMS, from its magnificent installations of poppy fields around the world, to its faithful dedication to every detail of a fragrance creation. In 2001, a skincare line, KENZOKI, was launched. Built around four Asian plants (Rice Steam, Ginger Flower, Bamboo Leaf and White Lotus), the range brought a new approach to skincare; a marriage of pleasure and efficiency.

In 2008, KENZO PARFUMS celebrated its 20th anniversary by creating a limited edition fragrance, Vintage Edition, which celebrated the 1970s, the decade in which the brand was founded.

KENZO has always worked towards a multicultural world, a world of colors and beauty, with nature as a vibrant, inexhaustible source of inspiration. Classic, contemporary, or visionary, the women's and men's perfumes Kenzo created are based on values of life, energy, and a deep-rooted equilibrium.

takada was one of seven children and developed an interest in fashion through reading the magazines of his sisters. Born in Himeiji City, Hyogo Prefecture, he quit Kobe University to try to become one of the first male students at Tokyo's Bunka Fashion College (Bunkafukuso Gakuin). His parents did not approve of his career ambitions and he had to work parttime in Tokyo to support himself while he did evening prep courses in design. After some six months, he was finally accepted to the prestigious college and the kind of determination that got him there was to serve him well in the future. In 1964, Takada moved to Paris and started at the very bottom of the fashion industry ladder. After making enough contacts, he worked as a freelance designer and opened his first boutique 'Jungle Jap' in 1970. Takada's first work borrowed heavily from traditional Japanese styles but it was his 'big silhouette' designs which drew worldwide attention. His designs made him something of a trendsetter for young fashion. In Japan, he is highly regarded as a pioneer who introduced Japanese fashion design to a world audience. Always very selective of his fabric, Takada in recent years has moved into the design of furniture coverings and household items. In September 1999, he announced that he was handing over the reins of his fashion house to his assistants.

la marca de ropa Kenzo, una marca internacional de perfumes, ropa y productos para el cuidado de la piel. Kenzo desarroll su amor por la moda desde temprana edad, particularmente leyendo las revistas de sus hermanas. Asisti brevemente A la Universidad de Kobe, donde se sinti aburrido y eventualmente se retir, en contra del deseo de sus padres. En 1958, ingresa a la academis de moda Tokio's Bunka Fashion College, la cual recientemente habia abierto sus puertas a estudiantes masculinos. Luego de recibir su diploma, se radica en Pars en 1964. Trataba de ganarse un lugar en el mundo de la moda asistiendo a eventos, haciendo contantos con los medios y vendiendo bocetos. Los primeros diseos de Kenzo nacieron de telas del mercado de pulgas porque era lo nico que poda costear. Como resultado, Kenzo tuvo que mezclar muchas telas de diseos audaces juntas para formar una prenda. El xito de Kenzo de dio en 1970: durante este ao present su primer show en Vivienne Gallery; abri su primer tienda, "Jungle jap"; y una de sus modelos apareci en la portada de ELLE. Su coleccin se present en Nueva York en 1971. Al ao siguiente gan el premio Fashion Editor Club of Japan. Kenzo prob su capacidad para las apariciones dramticas cuando en 1978 y 1971 realizaba sus shows en una tienda de circo y los finalizaba con mujeres a caballo vistiendo uniformes con transparencias y a l mismo sobre un elefante. Su primera coleccin para hombres se realiz en 1983. En 1988, comenz su lnea de perfumes femeninos con Kenzo de Kenzo (conocido como a Sent Beau, Se siente bien), Aroma de verano (Parfum d't), El mundo es bello (Le monde est beau) y El agua (L'eau) de Kenzo. En 1991 lanz su primer perfume para hombres Kenzo pour Homme. FlowerbyKenzo es lanzado en el 2000 y se ha convertido en la fragancia insignia para la marca de perfumes Kenzo. En 2001, lanza KenzoKI, una lnea de productos para el cuidado de la piel. Desde 1993 la marca Kenzo pertenece a LVMH, una compaa francesa de artculos de lujo. Kenzo Takada anunci su retiro en 1999, dejando a cargo de su imperio de moda a su asistenta. En 2005, reapareci como diseador de decoraciones presentando Gokan Kobo (taller de los cinco sentidos), una marca de vajilla, objetos del hogar y muebles.

Hailed as the most famous traveler in the world of fashion, Kenzo Takada currently offers a variety of fashion products and accessories to the public. He was born on February 27, 1939 in Tokyo, Japan, and studied in Bunka College of Fashion to obtain the fashion designer title. While working in the profession, he decided to establish his own company in Japan itself. Kenzo first came out on the fashion scene in 1970 when he opened the Jungle Jap boutique in Paris. From that start, he decided to establish another fashion company under the name Rue Cherche Midi Boutique in 1972, which in turn was followed by Kenzo-Paris Boutique in the year 1983. Although running a number of businesses, Kenzo failed to make his own name that popular in the fashion field. It was only in 1983 when he first launched his men's wear collection that he came out as one of the most promising designers in the whole Paris. He expanded his businesses in other parts of France, including Saint Tropez, Aix en Provence, Lille, Bordeaux, and Lyon, as well in London, Milan, Copenhagen, and Tokyo; all happened in 1984 to 1985. From those expansions, Kenzo was able to follow up his men's wear collection with a new addition, the women's wear. Both lines were introduced in 1986 along with the company's junior line and Kenzo jungle and jeans. What is more notable about Takada's line of men's wear is that he labeled this collection with the name: "Around the World in Eighty Days". Since the company's inception, Kenzo Takada was and has been considered as the most prominent of the fashion designers who was able to travel to different areas in the world. He also is named as the most multicultural designer of the 20th century, and the most syncretistic, mainly because he insists on promoting a sense of compatibility and diversity on the ethnic fashion styles. Given that principle, it is no surprise for Kenzo to continually employ a combination of styles on all of his fashion works. The different collections of Kenzo's fashion products and accessories are generally so vast. The most common of them are the Romanian peasant skirts and the Scandinavian sweaters of heavy weight. There are also the Mexican rebozos, which many consumers consider as one worth buying fashion item. The collections of Kenzo Takada are not just limited to what has already been said. Also included in his own line of delicate fashion products and accessories are the sunshade-striped beach skirts that are Riviera inspired,

the Chinese coodie look that comes highlighting a mix of Portuguese-styled purses, and the t-shirt dresses; all were introduced in 1975. Kenzo released its new collection of clothing that is inspired by the Native American designs. What is noted under this collection of Kenzo wear is its rich colors and textures. Then, there came the Egyptian inspired patterns and leanings, which is but followed by the African and Indian styles of clothing. With all his interests and efforts in creating unique collections of fashion products, Kenzo Takada was able to establish about 37 boutiques in different areas in the world. He also has 124 sales outlets, which recently are acquired by the House of Louis Vuitton.

La principal caracterstica del estilo Kenzo es el estallido de colores y las formas asimtricas. Le gustan todos los tonos vivos, fuertes y alegres y sobre todo la gama de los verdes, amarillos y azules. "Como hace falta color en la vida, yo lo pongo en mis vestidos", explica l mismo. Su irrupcin en la moda parisina fue todo un bombazo, pues en aquellos momentos imperaba la de corte clsico, y Kenzo lleg con un estilo marcado por la fantasa y la libertad de formas y colores. y, el imperio Kenzo, propiedad de LVMH, cuenta con decenas de tiendas abiertas en las principales capitales y unos 1.800 puntos de venta repartidos por todo el mundo. Antonio Marras es un hombre simptico. Y es, desde 2003, el director artstico de Kenzo. Su creador, Kenzo Takada, conquist el mundo de la moda con un estilo muy personal. La impronta de la marca Kenzo es nica. Y heredarla no es fcil. La tarea de Marras es mezclar delicadamente esos cdigos recibidos con su propia innovacin. Written on July 3rd, 2010 by Sassi Sam in Fashion

Antonio Marras Sardinian passion guarantees that his own collections are intense affairs, but it looks like hes having fun with his second gig at Kenzo, especially with the new Resort collection. Its a big anniversary year for the label, and Marras looked back to Kenzo Takadas earliest work almost four

decades ago, when the Japanese designer was busy injecting color and spirit into the uptight Parisian fashion scene. He reworked floral foulard prints from the archives and borrowed one of Kenzos first shapesa shirtdress based on a kimono. That silhouette also cropped up again as a trench, and there were shades of old Japan in obi belts. But what Marras really caught beautifully was Kenzos exuberance. The mixes of stripes and checks, the floor-sweeping sundresses, the colorful knitwear, and those spectacular summery florals made for a winning update on one of fashions most uplifting legacies. Style brings us an incredibly bright and colourful Resort 2011 Collection from Antonio Marras for Kenzo. Antonio has produced a collection with beautiful bright florals from the archives including one of Kenzos first shapes, a shirt-dress based on a kimono. Born: Kenzo Takada in Tokyo, Japan, 27 February 1939. Education: Bunka College of Fashion. Career: Designer for Sanai department store; pattern designer, Soen magazine, Tokyo, 1960-64; freelance designer, Paris, from 1965, selling to Fraud, Rodier, and several department stores; designer for Pisanti; established Jungle Jap boutique in Paris, 1970; opened Rue Cherche Midi Boutique, 1972; established Kenzo-Paris boutique, New York, 1983; launched menswear line, 1983; opened boutiques in Paris, Aix en Provence, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Saint-Tropez, Copenhagen, London, Milan, and Tokyo, 1984-85; launched menswear and womenswear lines, Kenzo Jeans, and junior line, Kenzo Jungle, 1986; launched Kenzo Bed Linen and Bath Wear line, 1987; opened boutiques in Rome, New York, 1987; established childrenswear line, 1987; launched womenswear line, Kenzo City, 1988; opened boutique in Brussels, 1989, and Stockholm, 1990; launched line of bath products, Le Bain, 1990; opened boutique in Hong Kong, 1990, Bangkok, 1991, and Singapore, 1991; launched Kenzo Maison line, 1992; launched Bambou line, 1994. Perfumes: Kenzo, 1988; Parfum d't, 1992; has also designed costumes for opera; film director. Company continued on after his retirement in 1999. Awards: Soen prize, 1960; Fashion Editors Club of Japan prize, 1972; Bath Museum of Costume Dress of Read more: Kenzo - Fashion Designer Encyclopedia - clothing, women, men, dress, style, new, body, collection, dresses, jeans, costume, world, look http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/Ja-Kh/Kenzo.html#ixzz1ZwrIRKV0

In October 1999, Kenzo presented his final show, handing over the design to Giles Rosier. In October 2001, Gilles Rosier presented his Spring 2002 collection for Kenzo, favouring the exotic tropics as his main area of inspiration. Colourful embroidery was prevalent. The palm print was used throughout the collection on white and grey blouses. Gilles said "I went through all the old Kenzo collections and tried to design something new whilst adding a modern twist to the Asian influences.". Kenzo later sold his house to the Luxury group LVMH run by Bernard Arnault. However Kenzo Takada himself has no plans to ever disappear. At a lunch with the press in May 2002, he outlined his future plans. Having started up a label called "Yume" (Japanese for Dream) which will include a series of men and women's apparel and accessories, as well as bed linen with Japanese motifs for La Redoute, Europe's biggest mail order group, owned by Francois Pinault.

Kenzo's motifs are mostly floral with colours and leaves. His perfume bottle is actually a shaped as a leaf. Kenzo also likes animal prints, tartans and daring colour combinations. Kenzo's main predilection is for simplified child-like shapes such as pullover vests, knee length shorts, mini coats, sweater dresses, all of them made fresh by such foreign nuances as Kimono sleeves (unusual in knitted clothing) and oversized berets. Kenzo follows the principle of flat patterns such as what was used for kimonos. He widens armholes and modifies shoulders. Kenzo is influenced by folk costumes and interprets varied dress such as Spanish boleros, Austrian loden jackets, Indian trousers, Chinese tunics, Bedouin blankets and Breton aprons.
presentar las colecciones primavera/verano, para hombres y mujeres. Pero antes har una retrospectiva de sus treinta aos de creacin.Ya tengo sesenta aos y llevo treinta de carrera. Desde hace mucho tiempo que tengo ganas de disfrutar de la vida, ver a mis amigos y viajar, anunci el creador japons.La noticia, anunciada en Pars, no sorprendi al mundo de la moda. Kenzo ya haba tomado distancia de la creacin. Incluso, haba empezado a preparar su sucesin.El colegio de estilistas formado en la escuela Kenzo ser el

garante ms seguro del estilo de la marca, en un proceso de renovacin y desarrollo, explic Herv Martin, presidente de Kenzo S.A.La partida de Kenzo (todava no se sabe dnde se har su ltimo desfile) tiene lugar en momentos en que la moda se inspira cada vez ms en su estilo de mezclas y reciclados. Ms que un nombre, Kenzo representa hoy a un sistema, comparan los expertos en el mundo de la moda.La firma tiene 37 boutiques propias (16 de ellas en Francia), 124 puntos de venta y 52 licencias. Los perfumes garantizaron buena parte del xito de Kenzo. Desde el perfume Kenzo, de 1988, los lanzamientos se fueron encadenando al ritmo de casi uno por ao (Kenzo Homme, Parfum dt, Kashaya, Leau, Jungle...).Con su gran dificultad para expresarse en francs y sus infaltables anteojos, Kenzo conserv a lo largo de su carrera la figura regordeta y el corte garon al viento, de eterno adolescente.Quinto de siete hermanos, Kenzo Takada naci en 1939 y pas su infancia en el pueblo de Hyago, cerca de la fortaleza de Himeji.Luego de estudiar en la prestigiosa escuela de moda Bunka y de algunos aos de ejercicio bajo el suelo nipn, el joven estilista desembarc en Marsella en enero de 1965. Viaj en el sector de carga del barco. Francia daba por entonces sus primeros pasos en el prt--porter. Era la poca de Sonia Rykiel, Dorothe Bis y otras.Decidido a quedarse nada ms que unas semanas, Kenzo decidi entonces instalarse en Pars. Para su primera coleccin, en abril de 1970, utiliz algodones japoneses y retazos comprados en el mercado Saint-Pierre.Para sus colegas, Kenzo siempre fue el ms parisino de los japoneses. Para otros, simplemente es Kenzo, el de las flores grandes.Cada una de sus colecciones es un viaje, suele decir Jean Charles de Castelbajac, su amigo desde hace casi 30 aos.Con sus volados sobre botas, sus gruesos suteres copiados a los eslavos o sus prendas africanas recicladas, Kenzo -afirman los especialistas- se surti siempre de todas las culturas.Busqu deliberadamente crear formas no estructuradas e introducir una nueva amplitud, basndome en la tcnica del quimono, explica Kenzo en la biografa que le dedic Ginette Sainderichin.En 1976, el estilista japons se mud a la Place des Victoires y contribuy a transformar este barrio de negocios en una plaza fuerte de la moda, en los aos 80.Kenzo despert a todo un barrio que se encontraba dormido tras la sombra del Banque de France, dice Ginette en su libro.Los desfiles de Kenzo siempre fueron un espectculo. Hoy son ms sobrios pero siguen siendo una fiesta, coinciden los expertos.Fiel a su eslogan, el mundo es bello, Kenzo vivi en sus comienzos en una habitacin de servicio en Clichy. En 1989 se mud a un lugar que es reflejo de su moda: 1.000 metros cuadrados en una antigua fbrica de herramientas de jardn, en la Bastilla. En su loft, el ambiente zen convive con muebles franceses del siglo XVIII.Convencido de que ahora es tiempo de delegar su trabajo en manos de estilistas ms jvenes, Kenzo pens en el francs Gilles Rosier, de 38 aos, para que se haga cargo del prt--porter femenino. Rosier es consultor de Kenzo desde hace tres temporadas y creador de una marca propia en 1996. Kenzo tambin deleg en Danois Roy Krejberg (de igual edad que Rosier) el diseo de la lnea masculina, de cuya direccin artstica se ocupa desde 1994.Traduccin: Silvia Simonetti