Page 11 - Real Style September 2017

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hen one thinks of the name Kenzo, images of bright abstract designs and an eye-catching colour palette instantly
come to mind. After all, the French fashion house has long been associated with vibrant tones, zany prints and athleisure. Behind the label’s reputa- tion for neon hues and swirling patterns stands the thoughtful and practical Kenzo Takada. Born in Himeji, Japan, the 78-year-old designer moved to Paris in the 1960s to establish his eponymous label. Although Takada retired as creative director in 1999, his in uence has stayed as a driving force of his namesake label. In fact, Takada recently an- nounced a new project with French interior design retailer Roche Bobois. While the creative force’s roots may be on the runway, he believes that the worlds of home interiors and fashion are closely linked.
“Both worlds work on combining different tex- tiles and materials, and nding out how they best blend together. Fashion and interior design are about creating harmony between all the different elements,” Takada says.
Takada has re-interpreted Roche Bobois’ signa- ture Mah Jong sofa, and also created a line of home accents, which includes cushions, throws, rugs and ceramics. Drawing on his Japanese background,, Takada was inspired by the craftsmanship of tradi- tional kimonos, especially the weaving that can be spotted at the country’s Nō musical drama theatres.
“I have created three harmonious color schemes that express gentleness, vivacity and depth, coin- ciding with three different times of the day: ASA (morning), HIRU (midday) and YORU (evening),” Takada says.
Achieving harmony seems to be one of the de- signer’s key values, whether in business or in life. Takada graduated from Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo in 1964, as one of the school’s rst male stu- dents. In 1965, he shifted to the City of Light, where
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