City Pop Paris: Kenzo by Nigo Spring-Summer 2024 collection bridges East and West

Nigo presented his new women’s and men’s collection on the Passerelle Debilly, the footbridge that connects the Palais de Tokyo and the Eiffel Tower, linking contemporary creativity with the legacy of Kenzo Takada. City Pop was the soundtrack of the designer’s teenage years in Japan, and this mélange of musical genres offers perfect backing for his new stylistic proposition inspired by multiple influences. Code-switches between Japanese and Western wardrobes transform a traditional uwagi judo jacket into a chore jacket, the seigaiha wave print is adapted in indigo denim, and a kimono morphs into a down puffer. Japanese cutting style brings kimono sleeves to blazers, trench coats go collarless and tailored jackets are lapel-less. The new Kenzo PXT – for Paris x Tokyo – sneaker is emblematic of this East-meets-West stylistic DNA. Floral prints dear to Kenzo Takada are ubiquitous. A Kenzo rose inspired by the archives appears as a floral motif on denim, as well as dresses and Nigo’s signature camouflage print. A new signature for the season is an interpretation of the Kenzo Paris logo by Japanese graphic artist and longtime Nigo friend Verdy. The graphic is emblazoned across everything from clothes to utility bags, both front and back. From linen suits to transparent effects on body-skimming silhouettes, summery freedom, Kenzo-style, is all about fluidity. The colors and flowers of feminine and masculine silhouettes alike create an exuberant harmony, ready to wear…and readily seductive.