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When I received a copy of KENZO from Rizzoli, 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. I was wrong. 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 artistic director Antonio Marras. But it’s 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.

With 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, the KENZO fashion house will continue to move forward in new and inventive ways.