The world-renowned designer Kenzo Takada 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.
Takada was born into a family of 7 children on February 27th, 1939 in the Japanese town of Himeji. Passionate about drawing from a very early age, the timid young boy looked upon his two sisters’ sewing classes with wonder and admiration, developing dreams of one day creating his own unique works.
On April 14, 1970, Takada presented his first collection to the press in his Jungle Jap boutique. He became the first Japanese designer to establish himself in the City of Light, thus garnering international fame. By 1976, he inaugurated his flagship store in the Place des Victoires, aptly named, KENZO.
In January 2020, Kenzo Takada launched K-3, a luxury brand dedicated solely to the art of living and opened a showroom in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. With his brand partner and long-time CEO Jonathan Bouchet Manheim, alongside Engelbert Honorat, Kenzo’s creative assistant since 2013, the team set out on a new adventure.
