Kenzo Takada

(Hardback)

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An exclusive book of hand-coloured sketches and personal photographs from the archives of Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada. Features a stunning cover design by Kenzo. In 1970, the young Japanese designer Kenzo Takada opened his first boutique, Jungle Jap, in Paris and revolutionised the fashion world. His colourful, ethnic, and nomadic- influenced collections, made with luxurious and vibrantly patterned textiles, tweaked the conventions of haute couture while maintaining the quality of traditional European clothing houses. He was influenced by Parisian fashion and Japanese kimonos, boldly mixing colours and prints, cuts and materials. His vibrant palette and pattern combinations were joyful and whimsical, and very different from the subtle tailoring of the traditional Paris couturier. In his inspired blend of the opulent and the exotic, he developed a signature style and found early success. With stunning photography, and over 300 sketches from Kenzo's private collection, this book traces more than forty years of his creative output. It includes photographs from his high-energy runway shows, in addition to personal photographs, and a behind-the-scene look at the creation of a spectacular wedding dress, opening a window on the creative process and capturing Kenzo's energy, vision, and presence. Superbly illustrated throughout with pencilled and hand coloured sketches, swatched drawings, and previously unpublished archival photographs, the authors explore Kenzo's career, tracing the evolution of his cult label in a look-book of visual exuberance. AUTHORS: Author Kazuko Masui was a foreign correspondent for a Japanese women's magazine for nearly half a century. She has written numerous books on fashion and gastronomy in Japan and France. Since meeting Kenzo Takada shortly after his arrival in Paris, she has remained one of his most faithful friends. She was also the instigator of the legendary exhibition Kenzo-Liberte that took place in 1989, for the bicentennial of the French Revolution, in Tokyo and Himeji, Kenzo's birthplace. SELLING POINTS: . An exclusive look-book of hand-coloured sketches and personal photographs from the archives of Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada . Includes hundreds of sketches and personal photographs which offer an insiders perspective on his career, creative process, and vision . Features a stunning cover design by Kenzo 322 colour and 105 b/w images

Reviews

...the most comprehensive document of the designer yet, a man whose joyful and energetic approach to fashion continues to enthrall decades on.-- "AnOther Magazine"
...Takada's vibrant, easy-to-wear clothing offered a distinct contrast to the somewhat pedestrian traditionalism of the clothes being produced by Chanel, Dior, and the other couture houses that dominated French fashion at the time. But that was not the only way in which Takada was a pioneer; other Japanese designers followed suit and ventured West. And once Takada's Kenzo label had made a splash--a hot ticket for the cool crowd, with the likes of Jerry Hall and Grace Jones clamouring to be his muses-- Parisian fashion houses started to include Bunka graduates in their hiring, with the likes of Yohji Yamamoto subsequently gaining a foothold in Europe.-- "Nuovo"
Takada was one of a group of innovative designers, which include Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld, bringing a new sense of sophisticated ease to French ready-to-wear.-- "Wallpaper"
With images of high-energy runway shows, previously unpublished personal photographs, exclusive sketches, and behind-the-scenes looks at Takada's grandest creations (that spectacular wedding dress!), the book truly showcases the energy, joy and lively spirit that was and is KENZO.-- "BlackBook"
Written by Kazuko Masui, this visual feast takes readers through various chapters of the revolutionary designer's journey, covering both his work as well as personal life.-- "Forbes"

Author Bio

Author Kazuko Masui was a foreign correspondent for a Japanese women's magazine for nearly half a century. She has written numerous books on fashion and gastronomy in Japan and France. Since meeting Kenzo Takada shortly after his arrival in Paris, she has remained one of his most faithful friends. She was also the instigator of the legendary exhibition Kenzo-Libert that took place in 1989, for the bicentennial of the French Revolution, in Tokyo and Himeji, Kenzo's birthplace. Born in Japan, Chihiro Masui left her homeland at the age of four to live with her parents in New York, London and Paris. After studying philosophy at the Sorbonne, she was both a translator and journalist for the Japanese and French press. She has written numerous articles on great French chefs (Joel Robuchon, Pierre and Michel Troisgros, Georges Blanc and Frdric Anton). At ditions du Chne, she notably published Amandine Chaignot (2014), Kei, with chef Kei Kobayashi (2013), Tartes (2013), Potatoes (2012) and Cupcakes (2011), with chefs Frdric Anton and Christelle Brua.