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Kenzo Spring/Summer 2023 sees Kenzo Takada&#8217;s Favourite Animal&#8211;The Elephant&#8211;as the brand&#8217;s new icon, presented under the watchful eye of newly minted creative director Nigo. Jessica Esther reports from Singapore
<figure id="attachment_90921" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-90921" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-90921 size-large" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="427" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-300x200.jpg 300w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-768x512.jpg 768w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-4879-315x210.jpg 315w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-90921" class="wp-caption-text">A colorful industrial installation at the ArtScience Museum Singapore</figcaption></figure>
Bold, playful and youth-centric: these are perhaps the best characteristics to describe KENZO’s spring/summer 2023 collection. This is the first summer collection presented by Japanese designer Nigo after he was appointed as KENZO’s creative director in September 2021. With him at the  helm, KENZO has become more fearless, as Nigo’s unique East-meets-West vision takes hold. Essentially, Nigo stays true to his roots while introducing an optimism vision that highlights the brand’s core DNA.
If we look thoroughly at the recent collection, a particularly noticeable attention-grabber is the brand ’s new icon. Nigo drew inspiration from the brand’s archives and brought the elephant and the tiger to the forefront of the brand’s identity. The elephant, by the way, was Kenzo Takada’s favorite animal, chosen for its incredible ability to remember things.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-90917 size-large" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835-683x1024.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="960" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835-200x300.jpg 200w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835-315x473.jpg 315w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8835.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" />
Interestingly, the elephant became KENZO’s  spirit animal after Takada famously transformed his show into a circus-like fantasy in 1978 and rode the animal to thank the audience during the curtain call. After five decades, the elephant finally made a comeback on the runway thanks to Nigo, who combined the archival icon with an unexpected twist.
The idea to incorporate graphic elements of 1950s sailor tattoo imagery to freshen up the brand’s iconic animals also came from Nigo. He translated this idea by turning these icons into embroideries and prints, which became the inspiration for the nautical-inspired looks in the collection. Nigo’s love for American retro style and the Ivy League also played a crucial role in shaping the collection’s sporty nuances, as reflected in the fabrics and designs. For instance, Nigo created a range of varsity jackets, cardigans and hoodies to pair with loose T-shirts and pants. No wonder KENZO named the collection “Varsity Jungle.”
<figure id="attachment_90916" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-90916" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-90916 size-large" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="427" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-300x200.jpg 300w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-768x512.jpg 768w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo-Setup-8832-315x210.jpg 315w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-90916" class="wp-caption-text">Jackets, T-shirts and other pieces designed under Nigo’s creative direction</figcaption></figure>
The unveiling of this spring/summer 2023 collection also afforded KENZO the opportunity to further strengthen its position in the markets of Asia. To that end, the brand invited friends and VIPs from across the region to witness the collection’s debut. For this event, the collection itself was wrapped in larger-than-life installations and exhilarating performances that embodied the bold and playful spirit of KENZO. Taking place at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore, the celebration became more than just a fashion statement as it was filled with music and colorful industrial elements.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-90919 size-large" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="427" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-300x200.jpg 300w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-768x512.jpg 768w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-197-315x210.jpg 315w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" />
Amid the visual plethora of graphics, LEDs and the tunes of DJ PRAV enhanced by a play on lights, the brand’s futuristic vision of vitality and self-expression was expressed in a true collegiate spirit. The lively performance illuminated the world-class institute and reflected Nigo’s vision to bring youthful sensibilities and support towards creative communities in urban subcultures. In a love letter to his early beginnings as a rapper before his successful foray into fashion, hip-hop tunes and rap music from the DJ booth brought the uncompromising KENZO spirit of positivity and freedom to life as guests enjoyed the untamed energy of the event.
<figure id="attachment_90918" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-90918" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-90918 size-large" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="427" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-300x200.jpg 300w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-768x512.jpg 768w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-1600x1067.jpg 1600w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Kenzo_General-120-315x210.jpg 315w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-90918" class="wp-caption-text">Celebrities and fashion influencers gathered for a photo call</figcaption></figure>
The evening was further heightened by the presence of numerous Asian celebrities, singers and fashion enthusiasts who gathered to celebrate Nigo’s creative vision. Among the attendees were Keung To of Hong Kong boy band MIRROR, Thai actor/singer Off aka Jumpol Adulkittiporn, actor/singer and TV Host Austin Lin from Taiwan, multi-talented singer Glenn Yong, Singapore’s fashion darling Yoyo Cao and many more. From Indonesia, Ayla Dimitri, Anaz Siantar and Nazla Alifa were also spotted among the guests. It was undoubtedly a night to remember and one that was perfectly fitting for the launch of such an energetic collection.

Meet the new king of the jungle: Kenzo

Kenzo,

Kenzo Spring/Summer 2023