Kenzo

Kenzo was born in 1970 when Japanese designer Kenzō Takada opened his first boutique, Jungle Jap, in the Galerie Vivienne in Paris. That same year, he staged a fashion show in a circus tent that immediately put the brand on the map with its wild, jungle-inspired prints and explosive colors. Takada's vision blended a Japanese sensibility with Parisian chic, creating clothes that felt both playful and sophisticated.

In 1993, LVMH acquired the house, and after Takada retired in 1999, a succession of creative directors kept the brand fresh. The most transformative era came in 2011 when Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, co-founders of Opening Ceremony, took the helm. They injected a streetwise energy, launching the viral Kenzo World fragrance campaign directed by Spike Jonze and starring Margaret Qualley. That campaign alone racked up tens of millions of views and turned the perfume into a cultural touchstone.

Since 2021, Japanese streetwear legend Nigo has been Artistic Director. He has steered Kenzo toward a nostalgic 1990s aesthetic, collaborating with Levi's and New Era, and introducing the Kenzo Sport line. The brand still operates out of its Paris headquarters at 1 Rue du Pont Neuf, with flagships in New York, Tokyo, London, and Shanghai. Its fragrance line, including Flower by Kenzo and L'Eau Kenzo, is sold in over 100 countries.[edit]