Thoughts on "Kenzo" clothes October 7, 18:28
Kenzo Takada (81 years old), a world-famous fashion designer who died from infection with the new coronavirus.
"I always want to live with dreams."
What did Kenzo, who was said to be a revolutionary child in the fashion world without being bound by common sense, wanted to convey through his clothes?
(Mayori Ogura, Reporter, Network News Department)
* In the text, "Kenzo-san" is used based on the brand name that has become known to many people and the names of people close to him.
A regrettable voice with memories
Following Kenzo's obituary, many regrettable voices have been posted on Twitter.
From Twitter,
"It's pretty shocking to die in Corona. I remember buying various things because I liked it
when I was a
student."
"I used to love it, so I couldn't buy clothes, so I collected handkerchiefs.
"
I still
have a handkerchief.
"
"I vividly remember going to a disco night after wearing clothes such as KENZO."
Some people like this.
I'm a high school girl wearing "Kenzo" clothes about 30 years ago.
It seems that he bought it when his mother in her 50s was single.
High school girl
"My mother happily showed me the clothes of" Kenzo "when I was little, saying,
'The
clothes I bought with the money I saved by working hard. It's a unique design.' I heard that he kept it in a safe place without throwing it away because he thought he might wear it, so I think it's cute even if he wears it now. "
Now he is thinking about coordinating with his mother.
High school girl
"I realized that my mom was really fashionable when I started wearing" Kenzo "clothes. It was in my twenties that my mom was wearing these clothes that made me look better. I think it's been a while. I want to keep wearing it for a long time. "
The source of design is traditional culture
Kenzo has been based in Paris since he moved to France in 1965.
He was also called a revolutionary child in the fashion world.
In 1970, when the first fashion show was held in Paris, clothes that fit the body were the mainstream, but Japanese clothes and national costumes from around the world were the motifs for the loose design.
It caught the hearts of young people.
What was the source of the design?
We talked to Ms. Suzuki, who has worked with us for over 35 years.
Mr. March Suzuki said,
"I was shocked by the colors and shapes of the folk costumes I saw at ports such as Hong Kong, India, and Egypt on my way to Paris by ship
.
" Inspired by traditional culture from overseas and Japan. I was designing with free ideas. "
People who saw the design, which was not bound by common sense, called Kenzo.
"Cotton poet" "Color magician"
Mr. Suzuki
"I used cotton for winter clothes, which was common sense to use warm materials, and used colors that harmonize with each other even if they seem to collide with each other."
Efforts to support reconstruction after the earthquake
Kenzo has become a world-class designer, receiving the most prestigious national medal in France.
In recent years, we have also been working on reconstruction support for the Great East Japan Earthquake.
"Roly-poly toy", a lucky charm that has been around for over 400 years in Fukushima Prefecture.
It was a symbol of reconstruction because it would get up many times even if it fell.
It was Kenzo who set up a project to paint this "roly-poly toy" by celebrities from all over the world.
Participants were world-famous actors Jean Reno and Alain Delon.
With a wish for reconstruction, we have held exhibitions all over the world.
I told NHK at that time as follows.
Kenzo
"I hope I can help you. I hope everyone in the world will be interested in it."
The motto is "Dream"
Kenzo was launching a new interior brand.
He was always positive and said that his motto was "dream".
"I want to keep dreaming and live my life,"
says Kenzo.
Fifty years after his debut, even at the age of 81, he continued to take on challenges with insatiable aspirations.
Diversity in clothes Young people also sympathize
Kenzo then sold the brand "Kenzo" he launched to foreign capital.
I retired as a designer in 1999.
Nowadays, a Portuguese designer has been appointed as the creative director, but it is said that Kenzo's thoughts on clothes are still being inherited.
Mai Ando, manager of marketing and public relations at Kenzo Paris Japan, said:
Manager Ando
"Current designers are impressed by Kenzo's way of thinking, and he makes clothes while referring to past designs. Kenzo continues to influence his creations across times and national borders. is"
The clothes announced this time have motifs such as floral patterns designed by Kenzo.
“Genderless” was cited by Mr. Ando as the reason why it is still popular among young people in their 20s and 30s.
The design is indistinguishable between men and women.
Manager Ando
"Kenzo's design was made for everyone. I think there was a message that there is a need for more diversity in the world. Young people are feeling that message. I think that's why it's gaining timeless support. It may be that there was a foresight in what the world would look for in the future. "