Inspired by the oeuvre of film director David Lynch, KENZO’s AW2014 campaign is nothing short of cinematic. Twisted and surreal, KENZO’s men’s, women’s and children’s AW14 collections are yet again, vibrant displays of the Parisian label’s trademark quirkiness. For the third season in a row, KENZO’s creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon have joined forces with Toiletpaper Magazine’s Maurizio Cattelan, Pierpaolo Ferrari and Micol Talso. The result? Surprisingly wearable yet eccentric offerings, as if presented through the distorted lens of a Lynch film. “This being our third collaboration, we were interested in figuring out ways to evolve the past concepts into something that felt different but still in the spirit of both KENZO and Toiletpaper,” says Lim. “Since the collection was inspired by David Lynch, it was natural for us to incorporate some of the emotions we experience when seeing his work.”

The campaign’s protagonists, models Robert McKinnon and Guinevere van Seenus are seen in an alternate dimension, discovering an unfamiliar world and finding their way through their perplexing new reality. “Guinevere really feels like a woman who could live in David Lynch’s world and could emulate the range of character one could see in his movies,” says Leon. “We loved how she plays on the subtly ambiguous relationship with Robert. It’s part of the process of trying to discern what’s really going on.”

And so, much like its previous lines the bold prints and arresting pop colours of KENZO’s AW14 are guaranteed to make its upcoming collection positively saturated with covetable items.

Words: Steph King

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You don’t get many fashion designers who’d strap on their hiking boots and head to the jungle for creative inspiration, but then again, Kenzo creative directors Humberto Leon and Carol Lim aren’t your average designers. The pair visited Thailand with the intention of trekking in the jungle and came back out with the source for their spring/summer 2013 collection: namely, the elusive clouded leopard.

Here’s the good news: the subtly diffused leopard print has appeared all over their catwalk show, but they’re also extending it to the next edition of Vans, in eye-popping ochre, orange, blue, green and khaki.

The collection will be sold at Kenzo stores, kenzo.com and at select retail partners including Opening Ceremony.

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A lot can happen in two years. Back in 2011, Kenzo was better known for its poppy perfume bottle than its runway shows. Since taking over the reins, Opening Ceremony founders Humberto Leon and Carol Lim have transformed the quintessential East-meets-West label into one of LVMH’s coolest, youngest brands. So how do you move on from that big splash, which saw their tiger-head sweatshirt sell more than 20,000 pieces since its launch last year? With big names, celeb clout and a well-constructed show that’ll play to both the flashy Tumblr crowd and the discerning industry insider.

Leon and Lim roped in Karlie Kloss and Lindsey Wixson for their autumn/winter show and pulled their cool-kid strings and got M.I.A to whizz up a special mix, which incidentally served as a preview of a few new tracks.

(Great publicity, Maya!) Inspired by colours of Indian temples and the multi-coloured grosgrain ribbons favoured by Kenzo in the 70s, the clothes blended metallic jacquard and lamé, with a luxe edge added by extravagant use of shimmery gold – think New York gallery girl out for a night on the town in Goa.

The bomber jacket with raglan sleeves and brocade suiting were a particular highlight, and emphasises everything so great about Kenzo right now – that kind of casual, cool-kid insouciance which has got people flocking to the shops. And as for those on the lookout for the next tiger-head sweatshirt? That honour goes to the black sweatshirt with the third eye logo. You’ve been warned.

Words: Zing Tsjeng
Images: Mark Rabadan

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