Nigo has been appointed as Artistic Director of Maison KENZO, effective from September 20.
Fans of Nigo won’t be too surprised, as the streetwear legend has previously worked with Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton for two collaborations, and has a standing relationship with LVMH. “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,” Nigo said.
Nigo has been a staple in fashion since he launched BAPE in 1992, and has also worked together will Pharrell Williams to launch Billionaire Boys Club, and launched his brand Human Made in 2010. He’s since collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry including adidas, KAWS, and of course, Louis Vuitton.
“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”, says Sidney Toledano, Chairman and CEO of the LVMH Group.
“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,” Nigo concluded.
Nigo’s appointment will kick off starting September 20, with no information yet as to when his first collection for Kenzo will debut. His appointment marks another move from LVMH to enter the streetwear world and tap into a new, younger audience.
It remains to be seen whether Nigo will revive Kenzo, and what his take on the label will be.