Kenzo Takada was born to traditional innkeeper parents in his hometown Himeji, Japan. He started out as a literature major in college but eventually transferred to Tokyo’s Bunka Fashion College where he was one of the very first male students to be admitted.
In 1960, Kenzo won the Soen Prize Japanese fashion award and began working as a designer for girl’s clothing at the Sanai department store, producing up to 40 new styles every month.
He established his first store in 1970 called Jungle Jap where he sells loose casual clothings, smock tent dresses and huge striped dungarees with elephant legs. He create larger armholes and changed up the should shape as well as popularizing cotton fabrics.
Leaving Giles Rosier in charge of his fashion house, Kenzo announced his retirement in 1999. He became known as the “Great White Designer” even though a lot of his clothes are very colorful and vibrant.
Kenzo favors animal prints, tartans and bold color combinations. Folk costumes such as Spanish boleros, Austrian loden jackets, Indian trousers, Chinese tunics, Bedouin blankets and Breton aprons serves as an inspiration that are present in many of his collections.