LVMH appoints Japanese Streetwear Legend Nigo As New Artistic Director of Kenzo

LVMH has appointed Nigo as New Artistic Director of Kenzo.

The Japanese Streetwear Legend and founder of A Bathing Ape (BAPE) will officially begin his new role on Monday, September 20th, 2021. His appointment marks the first time for a Japanese designer at the helm Kenzo since the brand's founder, Kenzo Takada, left the house in 1999.


Nigo, whose real name is Tomoaki Nagao succeeds Portuguese fashion designer Felipe Oliveria Baptista who stepped down from his position as creative director on June 30, 2021. In addition to BAPE, Nigo also founded Human Made and co founded Billionaire Boy's Club and Ice Cream with Pharrell Williams.


'I am very happy to welcome Nigo as the Artistic Director of the Maison Kenzo. The arrival of an extremely talented Japanese designer will allow us to write a new page in the history of the House that Takada Kenzo founded. I am convinced that the creativity and innovation of Nigo as well as his attachment to the history of the House will fully express all the potential of Kenzo', said Sidney Toledano, Chairman and CEO of the LVMH Fashion Group in a press release.

'I am proud to have been appointed Artistic Director of Kenzo. I was born in the year that Takada Kenzo san opened his first store in Paris. We both graduated from the same fashion school in Tokyo. In 1993, the year that Kenzo joined the LVMH Group, I started my career in Fashion. Kenzo san's approach to creating originality was through his understanding of many different cultures. It is also the essence of my own philosophy of creativity. Inheriting the spirit of Kenzo san's craftsmanship to create a new Kenzo is the greatest challenge of my 30-year career, which I intend to achieve together with the team. Finally, I would like to thank Bernard Arnault and Sidney Toledano for giving me this wonderful opportunity', said Nigo on his appointment.


Nigo's first menswear and womenswear ready-to-wear collection for the brand will be shown at Paris Fashion Week Men's in January 2022.

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