History of Kenzō Takada in Timeline

"Kenzō Takada was a renowned Japanese fashion designer based in France. He was the founder of the global brand Kenzo, known for its clothing, skincare, and perfumes. Takada held the esteemed position of honorary president of the Asian Couture Federation, highlighting his significant contributions to the fashion industry."

February 1939: Birth of Kenzō Takada

Kenzō Takada was born in February 1939 in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

1957: Takada Briefly Attends Kobe City University of Foreign Studies

In 1957, Kenzō Takada briefly attended Kobe City University of Foreign Studies but withdrew after his first year following the death of his father.

1958: Takada Enrolls at Bunka Fashion College

In 1958, Kenzō Takada enrolled at Tokyo's Bunka Fashion College, marking the beginning of his formal fashion education.

1961: Takada Wins Soen Award

Kenzō Takada's talent was recognized early on when he won the Soen Award, a fashion design competition, in 1961 while studying at Bunka Fashion College.

1964: Takada's Apartment Demolished

In 1964, Kenzō Takada's apartment was demolished to make way for preparations for the 1964 Summer Olympics. He used the compensation money to fund his trip to Paris.

January 1965: Takada Arrives in Paris

On January 1st, 1965, Kenzō Takada arrived at the Gare de Lyon train station in Paris, marking a pivotal moment in his life and career.

June 1970: Takada's Design Featured on Elle Cover

Kenzō Takada's designs gained significant recognition in June 1970 when one of his creations was featured on the cover of Elle magazine.

1970: Takada Opens First Shop, "Jungle Jap"

In 1970, Kenzō Takada opened his first shop in a small rented space in the Galerie Vivienne, Paris. Limited by funds, he created an eclectic collection from inexpensive fabrics, which he showcased in his first fashion show at the Galerie Vivienne. He named the shop "Jungle Jap", incorporating his fascination with jungle aesthetics.

1971: Controversy Over "Jungle Jap" Name and First US Visit

During his first visit to the United States in 1971, Kenzō Takada faced a summons from the Japanese American Citizens League, challenging the use of the word "Jap" in his store's name. While the court upheld his right to use the term, Takada and his team ultimately decided to rename the brand.

1971: Takada's Collection Presented in New York City and Tokyo

Kenzō Takada further expanded his global presence in 1971 by presenting his collection in New York City and Tokyo.

1973: Takada Pioneers the "Big Look"

Around 1973-74, Kenzō Takada made a significant impact on the fashion world by introducing the "Big Look." He revolutionized the popular peasant styles of the time by loosening and increasing their volume, creating a trend that would dominate high fashion in the mid-1970s.

October 1976: Takada Opens Flagship Store

In October 1976, Kenzō Takada opened his flagship store, simply named "Kenzo", in the prestigious Place des Victoires in Paris.

1978: Takada's Circus Tent Fashion Show

Kenzō Takada's flair for the dramatic was evident in 1978 when he held his fashion show in a circus tent, complete with horsewomen performers in transparent uniforms. The spectacle ended with Takada himself making a grand entrance on an elephant.

1979: Kenzo Experiences Significant Sales Growth

By 1979, Kenzō's business had gained significant traction, with annual sales reaching 30,000,000 F, reflecting the growing popularity of his designs.

1979: Another Circus Tent Fashion Show by Takada

Continuing his unique approach to fashion shows, Kenzō Takada once again held his show in a circus tent in 1979.

1980: Takada's First Foray into Perfume with "King Kong"

Kenzō Takada's creative exploration extended to the world of fragrances in 1980 when he released "King Kong," a perfume he described as a fun experiment.

1981: Takada's Directorial Debut with "Yume, yume no ato"

Kenzō Takada explored his creative talents further in 1981 by directing a film titled "Yume, yume no ato."

1983: Launch of Kenzo's First Men's Collection

Kenzō Takada expanded his brand in 1983 by launching his first menswear collection, catering to a male audience with his distinctive style.

August 1984: Takada Collaborates with The Limited Stores

In August 1984, Kenzō Takada partnered with The Limited Stores to design a more affordable clothing line called "Album by Kenzo," making his designs accessible to a wider audience.

1986: Kenzo Expands with Children's Line and Jeans

In 1986, Kenzō further diversified his offerings by launching a children's line called "Kenzo Jungle" and introducing men's and women's jeans to his brand.

1987: Construction Begins on Takada's House

Construction began on Kenzō Takada's 1,300-square-meter (14,000-square-foot) Japanese-style house in 1987, designed in part by his partner, Xavier de Castella.

1988: Launch of Kenzo's Women's Perfume Line

Kenzō Takada officially entered the perfume industry in 1988 with the launch of his women's perfume line, featuring fragrances like Kenzo de Kenzo (later renamed Ça Sent Beau), Parfum d'été, Le monde est beau, and L'eau par Kenzo.

August 1990: Death of Xavier de Castella

Kenzō Takada's partner, French architect Xavier de Castella, passed away in August 1990 due to an AIDS-related illness. De Castella played a significant role in designing Takada's Japanese-style house.

1991: Release of Kenzo's First Men's Perfume

In 1991, Kenzō Takada introduced his first fragrance for men, Kenzo pour Homme, expanding his presence in the perfume market.

1993: LVMH Acquires Kenzo

In 1993, the French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH acquired the Kenzo brand, marking a significant shift in the brand's ownership.

1993: Completion of Takada's House

The construction of Kenzō Takada's Japanese-style house, which began in 1987, was completed in 1993.

1999: Takada Retires from Fashion

Kenzō Takada announced his retirement from the fashion industry in 1999 to pursue his interest in art, leaving the design of Kenzo's men's and women's clothing to Roy Krejberg and Gilles Rosier, respectively.

2000: FlowerbyKenzo Gains Recognition

Launched in 2000, Kenzō Takada's FlowerbyKenzo perfume gained recognition for its classic appeal, earning a spot on Vogue's list of best classic French perfumes of all time.

2001: Launch of KenzoKI Skincare Line

Kenzō Takada further diversified his brand in 2001 by launching KenzoKI, a skincare line that complemented his existing fashion and fragrance offerings.

2005: Takada Returns with "Gokan Kobo"

After a hiatus from the design world, Kenzō Takada returned in 2005 with "Gokan Kobo" (五感工房), a brand focused on tableware, home objects, and furniture, showcasing his creative spirit in a new domain.

2010: Takada's Art Exhibition in Paris

Kenzō Takada's artistic talents were showcased in 2010 at a solo exhibition in Paris titled "Un Certain Style de Vie" (A Certain Way of Life), featuring his paintings.

2013: Takada Becomes Honorary President of Asian Couture Federation

In 2013, Kenzō Takada's contributions to fashion were recognized when he was appointed as the inaugural Honorary President of the Asian Couture Federation.

June 2016: Takada Awarded Knight of the Legion of Honour

Kenzō Takada was honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honour on June 2, 2016, a testament to his significant contributions to French culture.

2016: Takada Creates Perfume for Avon

In 2016, Kenzō Takada collaborated with Avon to create a perfume, showcasing his versatility and continued involvement in the fragrance world.

2017: Takada Receives Lifetime Achievement Award and Collaborates with Roche Bobois

Kenzō Takada received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 55th Fashion Editors' Club of Japan Awards in 2017. That same year, he collaborated with furniture brand Roche Bobois, redesigning their Mah Jong sofa and creating a line of ceramics.

2019: Takada Designs Costumes and Christmas Tree

Despite retiring from fashion, Kenzō Takada occasionally returned to the field. In 2019, he designed costumes for a production of Madama Butterfly by the Tokyo Nikikai Opera Foundation. He also collaborated with the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai, designing their first publicly displayed Christmas tree.

January 2020: Launch of K3 Lifestyle Brand

In January 2020, Kenzō Takada announced the launch of his new lifestyle brand, K3, which debuted on January 17th at the Maison et Objet trade show and a showroom in Paris.