KENZO
Men’s Collection SS2014
Residing between New York and Paris, two beautiful cities an ocean apart, we have the great benefit of living urban life at both historic and contemporary extremes. yet even though we now call these metropolises our habitats, our hearts are always tied to California. Our new KENZO men’s collection started with this deep affection for our home state and the subcultures and underground movements from the beach towns on the Pacific Ocean.
We conceived the collection to evoke a relaxed, cool and easygoing attitude and then punctuated it with graphic strokes. We’ve decided to let the loose, oversize and fluid meet with the deconstructed and embroidered. A collision of city life encounters with beach nonchalance.
Three-quarter length cotton linen trousers, almost cut off, inflect a breezy allure to a boxy sweatered silhouetted. Deconstructed jackets and blazers in lunar-rock grey and neoprene tee shirts feature raw edges. Coats, jackets and pullovers feature high slits on the side in a nod to the functional and provide easy access to pockets. Natural fabrics of cotton linens, cotton satin and paper cotton confront nylon trims in a melding with the technical.
A tidal theme pervades the entirely hand drawn prints with key aqua motifs of waves and water in all hues of blues. Scribbles of California watchwords represent the wave masters cries to the ocean.
For accessories, elasticized leather and neoprene booties feature the main prints of the collection as well as color blocked whites and blacks. Slides and cutout slides fuel the practical with easy access. Bracelets, necklaces and belts are constructed out of printed ribbon-bound can tabs. Document holders and briefcases come in wave prints as if reappropriated from a father’s office.
Carol Lim & Humberto Leon
About the Music:
Mike D collaborated with Kenzo on an original soundtrack “Humberto Vs the New Reactionaries. Christine and the Queens remixx”, which debuted today at the Kenzo men’s spring-summer 2014 runway show.
Other guests included:
Mike D
Mos Def
Michael Stipe
Thomas Dozol