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Kenzo Takada (February 7, 1939 – October 4, 2020) studied art and fashion in his native Japan. After school he designed patterns and did designs for a Tokyo department store. He moved to Paris in 1965, where he did freelance design work for 5 years.

In 1970 Kenzo opened Jungle Jap, a boutique in which he sold his designs. The store was a big success and Kenzo went on to open a larger boutique in 1972.

In the mid-1980s, Kenzo expanded his business, adding a men’s line, jeans, and a junior line, Kenzo Jungle. In 1984 hr entered into a licensing agreement with The Limited Stores for a new line of inexpensive clothes called Album by Kenzo. In 1988 he started the Kenzo City label and the Bambou line was started in 1994. Kenzo sold his label to LVMH in 1999 and he presented his last line under his own name.

Kenzo was known for his mix of cultural influences and for his use of prints and colors. He traveled the world and was greatly influenced by what he encountered.

Written by fuzzylizzie


from a 1970s sweater - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

from a 1970s sweater

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from a 1970s vest, skirt and pants - Courtesy of curlygurly77

from a 1970s vest, skirt and pants

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from a 1970s skirt - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1970s skirt

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from a 1970s sweater - Courtesy of loulousvintagefashion

from a 1970s sweater

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from a mid-1970s knit dress - Courtesy of SousVintageShop

from a mid-1970s knit dress

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from a mid-1980s cotton top & shirt - Courtesy of denisebrain

from a mid-1980s cotton top & shirt

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from a late 1970s/early 1980s suit - Courtesy of chezmov

from a late 1970s/early 1980s suit

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from a 1980s skirt - Courtesy of themerchaantsofvintage

from a 1980s skirt

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from a 1980s wrap dress - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1980s wrap dress

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from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1980s men's jacket - Courtesy of Poppysvintageclothing

from a 1980s men’s jacket

Courtesy of Poppysvintageclothing

from a 1980s men's sweater - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

from a 1980s men’s sweater

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from a 1980s sweater - Courtesy of poppysvintage

from a 1980s sweater

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from a 1980s jacket - Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a 1980s jacket

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from a 1980s sweater - Courtesy of CallMeSundayShop

from a 1980s sweater

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from a 1980s scarf - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie

from a 1980s scarf

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from a 1980s coat - Courtesy of glamoursurf

from a 1980s coat

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from a 1980s sweater - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1980s sweater

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from a 1980s jacket - Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing

from a 1980s jacket

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from an early 1990s jacket - Courtesy of midge

from an early 1990s jacket

Courtesy of midge

from a 1990s knit - Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1990s knit

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1996 suit - Courtesy of jmmnkts

from a 1996 suit

Courtesy of jmmnkts

from a 2000s teens denim coat with a Children Worldwide Fashion CWF label that started in 1999 - Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a 2000s teens denim coat with a Children Worldwide Fashion CWF label that started in 1999

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from 2000s knit pants - Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from 2000s knit pants

Courtesy of claireshaeffer