Kenzō Takada was a Japanese fashion designer who was one of the founders of the fashion label Kenzo. He was born in Himeji, Japan, in 1939. Takada was the eldest of four children and was raised in an upper-middle-class family. His father was a doctor and his mother was a housewife. Takada’s interest in fashion began at an early age. When he was a teenager, he would often go to department stores and sketch the clothes he saw. He also took classes in Western-style painting and drawing. In 1958, Takada graduated from high school and enrolled in the Tokyo University of the Arts. He graduated with a degree in design in 1962.
Section 1: Early Life
Takada was born in Himeji, Japan, in 1939. He was the eldest of four children and was raised in an upper-middle-class family. His father was a doctor and his mother was a housewife. Takada’s interest in fashion began at an early age. When he was a teenager, he would often go to department stores and sketch the clothes he saw. He also took classes in Western-style painting and drawing. In 1958, Takada graduated from high school and enrolled in the Tokyo University of the Arts. He graduated with a degree in design in 1962.
Section 2: Education
After graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts, Takada was hired by the textile manufacturer Kansai Hosiery and worked there for a year. In 1963, he moved to Paris to study at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. He later described this as a transformative experience, saying, “I felt like I was swimming in a sea of creativity and art.” While in Paris, Takada met Pierre Cardin, who suggested he move to New York City, where he would find greater opportunities. Due to a lack of funds following his stay in Paris, Takada’s travels to New York were delayed. During this time, he worked various odd jobs, including as a dishwasher, a taxi driver, and a Japanese restaurant cook. In 1965, Takada was finally able to make his way to New York City.
Section 3: Career
In 1965, Takada was hired by the textile manufacturer Kravex and was transferred to their New York City office. He would later leave his position at Kravex in order to open his fashion design studio. In 1966, Takada’s first collection was shown during New York Fashion Week. The collection was well received, but Takada struggled to find a buyer and wound up having to pay for the garments himself. In 1967, Takada was offered a position at the textile manufacturer Saran-Blanc. While there, he worked with Japanese designer Kenzō Oshima. In 1968, Takada left Saran-Blanc and founded his own label, Kenzo, with Oshima. The two designers put up $3,000 each and formed the company Midori Designs. They found a printer to produce their designs and began showing their work at New York Fashion Week.
Personal Life
Takada married his wife Hiroko in 1966. The two had met while studying at the Tokyo University of the Arts. Together, they had a son named Takahiro.
Later Years and Death
Takada’s fashion company, Kenzo, grew to be a successful business in the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his bold style and use of bright colors and many of his creations were inspired by nature. In 1994, Takada sold his stake in Kenzo and retired. He died of pancreatic cancer in 2019 at the age of 80.
Legacy
Takada was well known for his bold and creative designs that were heavily inspired by nature. His company Kenzo was a successful business in the 1970s and 1980s. Although Takada retired from the fashion industry in 1994, his clothing company is still in operation. Kenzo’s brand of fashion is not only found in clothing or accessories, but also in perfume and home decor. The company has been around for over 40 years and continues to expand in the fashion industry. Takada’s bold designs and creative use of colors are still seen today in the company’s fashion lines. If you look through their catalog, you will see that their designs follow the same edgy, nature-inspired style that Takada created many years ago.
: Conclusion
Takada was a Japanese fashion designer who was one of the founders of the fashion label Kenzo. He was born in Himeji, Japan, in 1939. Takada’s interest in fashion began at an early age. He would often go to department stores and sketch the clothes he saw. When he was a teenager, Takada took classes in Western-style painting and drawing. In 1958, Takada graduated from high school and enrolled in the Tokyo University of the Arts. He graduated with a degree in design in 1962. Later, Takada was offered a position at the textile manufacturer Saran-Blanc. While there, he worked with Japanese designer Kenzō Oshima. In 1968, Takada left Saran-Blanc and founded his label, Kenzo, with Oshima. The two designers put up $3,000 each and formed the company Midori Designs. Kenzo’s brand of fashion is not only found in clothing or accessories, but also in perfume and home decor. The company has been around for over 40 years and continues to expand in the fashion industry.
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