- Associated Press
How Kenzo found a preppy, 70s groove at Paris Fashion Week:
Nigo’s autumn/winter 2022 menswear collection mixed Scout’s scarves with African vibrancy and Asian crossover styles
Jaden Smith, Cruz Beckham, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel all turned out to the artistic director’s second show for the notoriously kooky, colourful French brand
As the fashion world wrestles with questions over identity, Nigo remains only the second Asian designer to head a European high fashion label alongside Bally’s Rhuigi Villaseñor
Nigo designed the Kenzo menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection, which was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week on June 26. Photo: AFP
Kenzo artistic director Nigo found a groove with his second collection for the LVMH-owned house, drawing vibrant parallels with house founder Kenzo Takada.
Nigo has made history as the first Japanese designer to front the house since Takada, who died in 2020.
A distinctly preppy look from Kenzo’s menswear autumn winter 2022 show, presented at Paris Fashion Week on June 26. Photo: AFP
David and Victoria Beckham’s son Cruz Beckham, US actor Jaden Smith, and celebrity couple Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel at the Kenzo Paris Fashion Week show. Photo: AFP
But beyond the fashion, Nigo – who has made high profile collaborations with Pharrell – has real star attraction, once again pulling in top VIPs this season such as Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel.
Kenzo artistic director Nigo presents his second show for the brand at Paris Fashion Week, for the menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection. Photo: AFP
Set in a college hall and with a pervading 70s, preppy vibe, Nigo channelled the dazzling colours and mix-and-match cultural fusion that became synonymous with the house’s origins.
Kenzo artistic director Nigo presents his second show for the brand at Paris Fashion Week, for the menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection. Photo: Xinhua
A model presents a creation for Kenzo by Japanese fashion designer Tomoaki Nagao aka Nigo at Paris Fashion Week. Photo: AFP
Hanging from the roof were flags reading “Kenzo 1970”. For students of fashion, a reference not lost: this date was not only the year Takada presented his first fashion show in the Galerie Vivienne in Paris in front of his new shop, Jungle Jap, but it was also the year of Nigo’s birth.
Kenzo artistic director Nigo presents his second show for the brand at Paris Fashion Week, for the menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection. Photo: AFP
Kenzo artistic director Nigo presents his second show for the brand at Paris Fashion Week, for the menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection. Photo: AFP
Funky scarves morphed into coloured lapels on suits that riffed on a Scout’s uniform.
A bright yellow patch-loaded waistcoat had an African vibrancy and mixed with Breton striped scarves, nautical themes and Asian crossover styles in jackets, to create a dynamic cultural melting pot.
A model presents a creation from Kenzo’s menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection at Paris Fashion Week on June 26. Photo: AFP
Kenzo’s menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week on June 26. Photo: AFP
But it was the quirkiness and humour that defined spring-summer in this strong show – thick woollen socks on canary yellow flip-flops, crimson flower appliqués and multicoloured bowler hats.
Kenzo’s menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week on June 26. Photo: AFP
Kenzo’s menswear autumn/winter 2022 collection was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week on June 26. Photo: AFP
Nigo, 51, is only the second Asian designer at the head of a European high fashion label, alongside Bally’s Filipino-American Rhuigi Villaseñor. His appointment continues to represent a milestone as the luxury industry wrestles more broadly with questions over racism and diversity.