#PFW

Kenzo Livens Up Paris

We’re halfway through Paris Fashion Week and feeling a little weary, so thank God for the Kenzo presentation that took place earlier this morning — one of the liveliest shows of the week. Staged at La Samaritaine (an empty building that used to be one of the finest department stores in Paris) guests were presented with a colourful and energetic collection of clothing with pop art prints, gold jacquard weaves and printed lamé.

Taking inspiration from the ancient temples around India, Nepal and China, this collection encompassed the brand’s reoccurring East meets West influences. The graphic wrap skirts, raglan sleeve bomber jackets, and coats with wide temple sleeves brought to mind the silhouettes of Asian warriors, albeit modern-day ones that live in the trendiest postcodes of New York, London and Paris.Karlie Kloss, Lindsey Wixson and Hanne Gaby all walked in the show, and Jessica Alba (representing in new season Kenzo and doing a fine job at it) was sitting front row, along with Robyn, The Misshapes’ Leigh Lezark, and New York-based DJ Vashtie.

As creative directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim continue to prove their worth as designers, but each season they also reinstate their ability to build a brand with a cult-like following, by drawing on all elements of popular culture. For this morning’s show, they had artist M.I.A write an exclusive track, ‘The Matangi MixCelebrity’ (it will be available to download from the Kenzo website later this month). The song was just as catchy as the collection and, both Alba, in the front row, and Gaby, on the catwalk, couldn’t stop bopping their heads along to the beat.

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Alice Cavanagh

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