Since his inauguration as artistic director at KENZO, Nigo‘s unequivocal trade has spoken a distinct language inspired by the House’s late founder Kenzo Takada — one built on the amalgam between Japanese and Western traditions, and intrinsically, founded on a realistic approach to design. Punctuated by monthly limited editions, the visionary’s Fall/Winter 2022 works are stocking shelves in a series of drops; and on Friday, KENZO will launch the collection’s fifth installment, an original range with a penchant for varsity, check and knits.
Tagged under the Maison’s larger “KENZO University” collection, this latest drop injects a cross-cultural cool factor into a bevy of Ivy-League-ready ensembles. Fair Isle knitwear dons the label’s emblematic tiger motif, while varsity jackets in red-pink and grey-black colorways are stamped with classic block letters reading “KENZO PARIS” and the House’s founding year: 1970. As mentioned, check fabrications encapsulate dressy trousers, thick ponchos and long trenches alike; but a signature KENZO graphic stakes claim on sweaters and sweater vests.
Elsewhere in the range, myriad one-off statement pieces are worth discussing. Among them, a grey blazer acquires blue color blocking above the chest, a double-breasted leather coat turns theatric with a sky-toned fur collar and a heavy green-beige sweater gardens a grand, yellow flower illustration.
KENZO’s FW22 Drop 5 will become available on Friday, September 23, both in stores and on the brand’s website. Take a look at the label’s latest batch in the gallery above.