KENZO’s Fall-Winter 2025 collection, under the creative direction of Nigo, took the fashion world by storm with a captivating runway show set in the majestic Palais de Chaillot, Paris. Titled “The Kenzo Commute,” the show transported viewers on a futuristic journey between Tokyo and Paris, while paying homage to the brand’s celebrated history. Drawing inspiration from the famed KENZO Train Show from Fall-Winter 1998, Nigo’s latest offering reflects a fusion of travel, tradition, and innovation.
The collection, centered around the concept of passage, explores the dynamic relationship between cultures and the way they intersect through fashion. Nigo reinterprets KENZO’s signature designs, blending Japanese craftsmanship with European influences, creating a new visual language that is as forward-thinking as it is rooted in history.
A key highlight of the collection is Nigo’s collaboration with American artist Futura 2000. Known for his stylized atom motif, Futura 2000 joins forces with KENZO to incorporate his iconic designs alongside KENZO’s boke flower, resulting in a fresh and striking fusion. The artist’s designs are brought to life on pieces crafted from ripstop nylon, embroidered denim, and other innovative fabrics.
The silhouettes in the collection offer a creative departure from the traditional. Nigo experiments with unorthodox shapes, combining them with fluffy textures and bold patterns that reflect the movement and energy of travel.
Workwear elements, influenced by Nigo’s personal archives, are reinterpreted through the lens of winter materials, while Japanese tailoring techniques are applied to classic Western suits, creating a cross-cultural, transcontinental wardrobe.
Patterns are also a focal point, with the Kenzo Weave taking center stage. Inspired by traditional Japanese flooring patterns, this motif is expressed through jacquard denim and tailoring, further deepening the cultural exchange at the heart of the collection.
Accessories, meanwhile, offer a playful nod to the commuter lifestyle, including leather bags designed to resemble brown paper and shoes that fuse elements of subculture with classic workwear aesthetics.
The addition of leather belts featuring punched boke-shaped eyelets serves as a distinct finishing touch, adding a layer of complexity to the otherwise streamlined looks.
The collection’s thoughtful balance between past and present, East and West, traditional and modern, makes it a standout. By exploring the concept of passage and bridging two of the world’s most iconic cities, Nigo’s collection for KENZO offers a visual journey all while looking to the future.
