The four-story house, located in the Bastille district, served as the backdrop for the brand’s exploration of heritage and contemporary design.
Paris fashion week 2026 saw fashion houses turn to homes for their collections (think Louis Vuitton), and KENZO was no exception. KENZO’s latest collection, designed by artistic director Nigo, was presented in the former Parisian home of the brand’s founder, Kenzo Takada, during Men’s Fashion Week.
Designed by Takada and architect Xavier de Castella in the late 1980s and completed in 1993, the home combines Japanese and European design elements. It features traditional tatami mats, shoji sliding doors, and a cedar-clad exterior, alongside French oak beams and louvers. Built around a Japanese garden with koi ponds, cherry trees, and bamboo, the house reflects Takada’s approach of blending Eastern and Western influences.
In 2018, the house was renovated by architect Kengo Kuma, known for works such as Japan’s National Stadium. Kuma retained the home’s original concept while introducing new features, such as replacing the indoor pool with a wooden engawa corridor and updating the tea pavilion. Materials like cedar, teak, and clay were used to enhance the natural feel of the home.
The Autumn-Winter 2026 presentation aligned perfectly with this spirit of cultural exchange. Nigo, KENZO’s artistic director, crafted a collection that celebrated the interplay of French and Japanese aesthetics. Highlights included kimono-inspired tailored blazers, varsity cardigans with a bold “K,” and reimagined archival pieces like the 1986 Kite bag and floral embroidery from the Spring/Summer 1994 collection. Americana influences, such as plaid flannels and cowboy-style pearl snap shirts, added a fresh, playful layer to the collection.
Step inside the home: https://bit.ly/49UiniH
Photo: Jimmy Cohrssen
