By Tom Fern

 

K-3 announces the loss of the celebrated Japanese-French designer Kenzō Takada who passed away sending the fashion world reeling with sympathy. The fashion visionary, founder and designer of the label Kenzo, died in Paris, France, leaving an irreplaceable place in the fashion world.

 

 

 

 

“It is with immense sadness that the brand K-3 announces the loss of it’s celebrated artistic director, Kenzo Takada,” the statement read. “The world-renowned designer passed away on October 4th, 2020 due to Covid-19 related complications at the age of 81 at the American Hospital, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France.”

 

 

 

 

Kenzo, one of the 7 children born in Japan was passionate about drawing at an early age and aspiring to create his own unique work brought him to Paris, the capital of the fashion world where he never ceased to create and celebrate exquisite fashion and art de vivre.

 

 

 

 

In April 1970, Kenzo presented presented his first collection making him the first Japanese designer to garner international fame following which he successfully established his flagship brand KENZO. The year 1983 welcomed Kenzo’s first men’s line followed by fragrances and numerous accessories collections.

 

His ardent love of life eventually became the hallmark of his creativity, infusing his kaleidoscopic work with colours, animals, floral and geometric patterns that became his signature style.

 

 

 

 

Early this year, Kenzo launched K-3, a luxury brand dedicated to the art of living which was inspired from the blend of Western lifestyles and Eastern rituals inherited from the Empire of the Rising Sun. Ever committed to the values of cross-cultural aesthetics, Kenzo infused the innate joy of living theme in unique design collaborations with legendary brands and luxury homes.

 

In the words of his brand partner and long time CEO Jonathan Bouchet Manheim at K-3,

“Kenzo Takada was incredibly creative with a stroke of genius. Those who had a chance to work alongside him will always be in awe of his creativity, curiosity and open-mindedness. He was generous and always knew how to look after the people close to his heart. He had a zest for life…and was the epitome of the art of living.”

 

Jonathan entrusts the K-3 collection to Kenzo Takada’s closest creative collaborator, Engelbert Honorat to ensure the utmost preservation of the designer’s legacy.