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Who is Nigo, the new artistic director of Kenzo?

A new artistic director has just arrived at the reins of the maison founded by Kenzo Takada: LVMH has in fact entrusted Kenzo’s vision to the Japanese designer, Nigo, already known in the fashion system as founder of the streetwear brand A Bathing Ape. A appointment that comes after the farewell of Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Portuguese designer and successor, two years ago, of Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, founders of Opening Ceremony: it was the duo who took on the burden of carrying on the heritage of Kenzo, head of the style office of the fashion house , for 8 years.

«I am proud to have been appointed Artistic Director of Kenzo. I was born in the year Kenzo Takada opened his first store in Paris. We graduated from the same fashion school in Tokyo. In 1993, when Kenzo joined the LVMH group, I started my career in fashion »said Nigo.

The designer then claimed to be deeply inspired by the approach that Kenzo Takada has pursued throughout his life and career, creating original garments starting from understanding andintegration of different cultures and imaginaries: a creative philosophy that coincides with that of Nigo, whose past experiences show the richness of his references and openness to artistic experimentation. In fact, last year, the designer collaborated with Virgil Abloh on a capsule collection, which immediately sold out, and in addition to his work in the fashion industry, he also gained a reputation in the world of music as a DJ and producer.

His debut with his first independent clothing brand was in Tokyo in 1993 and, given his fashion and musical collaborations with creative personalities and companies, his contribution was fundamental in the scenario of global street culture. Nigo then sold his brand, A Bathing Ape, in 2011 for approximately $ 2.3 million, leaving the management two years later to pursue other projects. The new chapter just unveiled with Kenzo, however, which will officially kick off on September 20, is undoubtedly the greatest opportunity – and at the same time the challenge – of his career, which brings with it a large number of expectations about the type of innovation and storytelling that it will bring with it as artistic director: “The arrival of a very talented Japanese designer will allow us to write a new chapter in the history of the Maison founded by Kenzo Takada »said Sidney Toledan« I am convinced that Nigo’s creativity and innovation as well as its attachment to the history of the Maison will allow us to fully express Kenzo’s potential ». Although Nigo’s debut at Kenzo will take place next week, in all likelihood we would have a chance to see his first collection for the maison next January, on the occasion of Paris Fashion Week.

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