Opening ceremony for Kenzo
Kenzo is one of Japan's most long-standing fashion houses, so it is understandable that it has undergone quite a few changes in its 41-year history — especially since Kenzo Takada himself retired in 1999.
This year it is embracing another change, and it comes in the form of two new chief designers — none other than Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, the founders of American boutique Opening Ceremony. Those in Tokyo will recognize Opening Ceremony's multi-story outpost next to Seibu Department Store in Shibuya. Like its U.S. versions, it brings together a vast range of foreign designers with some of Japan's own innovative creators.
Neither Lim nor Leon are trained designers, which makes their appointment as creative directors intriguing. They have, however, the qualification of making a huge impact on fashion trends through their selection of clothing for their stores and their style collaboration ideas.