Owned by LVMH, Kenzo aka KENZO PARIS is a high-end French fashion house founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. The label is now under the new creative director, Nigo, after the company’s founder’s passing. Kenzo is known for its eccentric French-Japanese designs.
The brand’s collections are often inspired by nature, art, and different cultures around the world. The designs are unique, and the brand is known for its use of bright colors and bold prints. Kenzo clothes are often seen worn by celebrities, public figures, and fashion influencers. Some of the most notable ones include Michelle Obama, and Britney Spears.
Since its inception, Kenzo has been a part of the fashion industry’s biggest events. The brand has been shown at Paris Fashion Week since 1976 and is currently one of the official members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, an organization that governs Haute Couture in France.
The brand sells men’s and women’s clothing, bags, shoes, accessories, and fragrances. But, is Kenzo considered a luxury brand?
Is Kenzo A Luxury Brand?
Kenzo is highly regarded as a luxury brand since it started. The brand is known for its unique designs that blended French and Japanese aesthetics—inspired by catchy colors and jungles. Coming with a hefty price tag for its products, high quality, and craftsmanship, the brand was able to cement its status in the fashion industry over the years.
1. The Brand’s History
Even though the brand Kenzo is considered a young brand compared to other luxury brands that have been around for centuries or more, it has a long and established history in the fashion industry. Since its inception, it has been a part of some of the biggest fashion events around the world—most notably Paris Fashion Week.
Thus, the company and the brand became extraordinary in its milestone as its founder is one of the few Asian designers who made it in the Western fashion industry during the early days. He was able to put Japanese culture and aesthetics on the map and change the perception of how people see Japanese fashion.
2. The Brand’s Aesthetics
Kenzo is known for its unique designs that are often inspired by nature, art, and different cultures from around the world. The brand is also known for its use of bright colors and bold prints—which is a stark contrast to the usual neutrals that luxury brands often use.
Because of this, Kenzo’s clothes are often seen worn by celebrities, public figures, and fashion influencers making it able to reach a wider audience. This is why the brand is favored by celebrities who are also fashionistas.
3. The Brand’s Prices
As mentioned before, Kenzo is known for its unique designs and high-quality craftsmanship—which comes with a hefty price tag. The brand’s clothes have a wide price range that put it to its advantage as it can cater not just for the upper market class but also to the middle market.
For instance, women’s dresses would cost approximately around $270 to $1,125, while men’s coats & jackets cost from $595 to over $3,425. The prices actually vary depending on which specific item a consumer may want to buy as some of them may seem to be more affordable at a glance such as accessories and basic items. Nonetheless, Kenzo product prices actually scream luxury!
4. The Quality And Materials Used
The materials used for Kenzo’s products are of high quality and are often sourced from different parts of the world. For instance, the brand’s clothes are made with luxurious materials such as silk, wool, cotton, and leather—which can be seen in its collections.
Moreover, the brand is also known for using vivid colors in its clothes which are often made with high-quality dyes. Kenzo’s use of different materials and colors in its clothes helps set it apart from other luxury brands that usually stick to neutrals.
And, in terms of where the products are manufactured, most of Kenzo’s products are mainly made in Portugal and China—but also have manufacturing operations in Italy, Tunisia, Turkey, Vietnam, Spain, France, Romania, Bulgaria, and Madagascar.
5. The Brand’s Reputation
Kenzo has been able to build a strong reputation in the fashion industry over the years. The brand is often associated with luxury, quality, and uniqueness. Because of this, Kenzo has been able to attract a lot of high-profile customers and celebrities.
The brand is also known for its charitable efforts as it has been supporting different causes such as education, the environment, and health. Thus, it has received awards and recognition from different organizations for its work.
6. The Brand’s Iconic Pieces
Kenzo has a lot of iconic pieces in its collections but some of the most notable ones include the brand’s tiger-print sweaters, logo t-shirts, and embroidered dresses. These pieces have been seen by a lot of celebrities and public figures—in events, runaways, and other occasions. It helped solidified the brand’s status in the fashion industry.
7. It Offers Exclusivity
Before you think that it contradicts the statement where it says Kenzo can be accessible to a wider audience, the thing is—the brand’s exclusivity actually comes from its limited edition collections and items.
The brand often releases special collections that are only available for a short period of time. And, once these items are sold out, they’re gone for good! This helps create a sense of urgency among consumers and increases the desirability of the products.
And while it has products that are considered “affordable”, this affordability is just a general term where it defines that some of Kenzo’s products are priced lower than the other items. But, in reality, the brand’s products are still quite expensive and on par with luxury brands.
Does Kenzo Hold Value?
Kenzo definitely holds value for many of its products, particularly its collections. The brand is often associated with luxury, quality, and uniqueness—which are features that many people are looking for in a fashion brand.
Moreover, Kenzo’s products have a wide price range which makes them accessible to different market segments without losing the brand’s exclusivity. If you’re looking for quality, uniqueness, and exclusivity—then Kenzo is the right brand for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is so special about Kenzo?
The brand is known for its unique designs, luxurious materials, and use of vivid colors. It is also known for its charitable efforts and has received awards and recognition from different organizations for its work.
How to check Kenzo’s authenticity?
When purchasing a Kenzo product, make sure to check the label and look for the “Kenzo Paris” logo. The label should also have the name of the country where it was made. You can also find more information about checking the authenticity of Kenzo products on their website by comparing or referencing what or which items are being sold.
But, most importantly, is to buy Kenzo from its official store and/or authorized retailers!
Why is the Kenzo logo a tiger?
The Kenzo logo is a tiger because it represents the brand’s fearless attitude and strength. It is also a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund to Double the Wild Tiger Population.
