Kenzo’s popularity among the cool kids proved to be too much Monday night, as an oversubscribed guest list for a new location resulted in security guards shutting the doors before the show, leaving confused invitees standing outside.
Inside, designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim showed a collection that veered from Victorian to oversized ‘80s, with flower print and romantic ruffled jackets, slim-fitting PVC pants and minis paired with romantic blouses and textured suits in dark navy and bright lavender. Show notes said the irreverent collection was for a woman “who approaches life with nonchalant conviction.”
Leon told Pret-a-Reporter that the collection had multiple influences from Sailor Moon to classic Americana, which is why they chose to play a version of the “Star Spangled Banner” as pre-show music.
Afterward, the brand took a trip to the city’s gritty 10th District, where it filled Les Etoiles nightclub with palms and partiers to celebrate the launch of their collaboration with Disney on a limited-edition Jungle Book collection. Charli XCX, Hari Nef, and DJ and fashion muse Leigh Lezark were among the evening’s guests.
KENZO KIDS: Leigh Lezark and Geordon Nicol of The Misshapes (Photo: Courtesy of Kenzo)
“It’s such a classic story, and we reached into the archives to look at prints,” Leon told Pret-a-Reporter. The brand’s classic flower-and-jungle patterns by creator Kenzo Takada make it the perfect match for Mowgli’s world. Leon also liked the idea of a limited-edition line for fans, offering them a “get it while it’s hot” sense of urgency. He said the capsule collection took more influences from Japanese style than what was seen on the runway earlier in the evening.
The collection will be in stores April 1 to coincide with the release of Iron Man director Jon Favreau’s take on the tale, which hits theaters April 15.
