People Mourn the Death of the Founder of KENZO

Kenzo Takada, the founder and designer of the fashion brand KENZO, passed away on October 4, 2020, at the American Hospital of Neuilly-Sur-Seine in Paris. Details regarding his death, such as whether he passed away due to COVID-19, remains unknown, though he showed severe symptoms of the virus prior to his death.

His abrupt death occurred in the midst of preparing for the Paris Fashion Week, and the spokesperson of the K-3 designer brand, which was established by Takada, announced his death to the public four days after Takada passed away. Many more are continuing to mourn for the death of the adroit designer and are taking the time to appreciate the accomplishments and endeavors Takada made during his lifetime.

Born on February 27, 1939, in Himeji, Japan, Takada first encountered “fashion” after reading some of his sister’s fashion magazines. With his keen affinity for design and couture, he studied at Bunka College of Fashion in Tokyo. In order to extend his dreams as a fashion designer, he moved to the land of fashion and boutique, France, and became a freelance designer there in 1965. His designs were greatly inspired by the frequent trips he took and were of a volatile cacophony of garish colors and clashing patterns.

“I was deeply disheartened by Kenzo’s sudden passing,” said Jessica L., a Parent Advisory Group (PAG) representative at AISG. “As he oversaw a multitude of different tasks regarding fashion displays, Takada would have had to widely travel and encounter large numbers of people.”

On the other hand, Kate Z., a grade 6 student at AISG, claimed how “his passing [lays] emphasis on the fact that lionized people, luminaries, and big names are also humans and are vulnerable targets to COVID19 like any other normal person.”

Jerry L. made a comparable statement to Kate Z.’s on the detrimental consequences that the novel coronavirus has enforced upon everyone. “It is very unfortunate to hear about the death of Kenzo, but at the same time, one must comprehend the fact that the pandemic has not only taken over the lives of celebrities, but also the lives of normal individuals.”

In 1976, Takada instituted his brand’s store at “Place des Victories.” He is most known for his application of the Japanese traditional apparel on modern fashion, including his modernization of the kimono dress.

Takada was honored with a myriad of notable accolades during his lifetime as a renowned designer. He inaugurated a perfume empire, was featured in countless magazine covers, and his brand was purchased by the world’s top fashion corporation, the Möet Henessey Louis Vuitton (LVMH).