Dec.

16

Kenzo Takada

When I received an advanced copy of Kenzo from Rizzoli a few weeks ago, I had absolutely no idea what I was about to experience. I’ve always believed in the power of books to transport us to another place, another time, but a fashion book? Surely, no. Let me tell you, I was wrong. In fact, I was so inspired that now I wish that I could sew more than a shirt’s button or a pant’s hem.

Kenzo is described as a visual dialogue between two great designers, founder Kenzo Takada and current artistic director Antonio Marras (new design crush!). But it is so much more than that because it not only includes a stunning photographic history of the Parisian fashion house, but Kenzo’s and Antonio’s working sketches, beautiful pop-ups reminiscent of the fashion week invitations Kenzo is known for, and brilliant essays by Franceso Bonami, Olivier Saillard and Bradley Quinn. Trust me, I was never bored reading this book and I can only imagine how a Parson’s student would feel reading it. Inspired! Uplifted! Determined!

As we witness the rise of Asian American designers like Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Prabal Gurang, Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, Thakoon and Richard Chai, I think it’s important to remember that Kenzo was one of the first Asian designers to steer fashion in a more global direction. And thanks to Antonio Marras, the Kenzo fashion house will continue to move forward in new and inventive ways.