Seamus Hammond
Kenzo Parfums is the perfume division of the French luxury fashion house Kenzo S.A., founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. Kenzo Parfums was launched in 1987, although the earliest Kenzo perfume, King Kong, was released in 1978. Kenzo fragrances are made in collaboration with numerous perfumers, including Alberto Morillas, who created the scent for the Flower by Kenzo Eau de Parfum. Kenzo Parfums joined the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH in 1993, and Kenzo Takada officially retired from the company in 1999.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Kenzo Takada |
| Year founded | 1970 |
| First perfume | King Kong, 1978 |
| First official perfume | Kenzo for Women, 1988 |
| Parent company | LVMH |
| Perfumers | Sophie Labbe, JoAnne Bassett, Daphné Bugey, Maurice Roucel, Francoise Caron, Sophia Grojsman, Daniela Andrier, Christine Nagel, Benoist Lapouza, Jean Claude Delville, Antoine Lie, Annick Menardo, Olivier Polge, Alberto Morillas, Marie Salamagne, Aurélien Guichard, Olivier Cresp, Louise Turner, Ane Ayo, Philippe Romano, Jean Jacques, Sylvie Fischer, Christian Dussoulier, Dora Baghriche, Amandine Clerc-Marie, Fabrice Pellegrin, Florian Gallo, Alexandra Monet, Natalie Gracia-Cetto, Olivier Pescheux, Quentin Bisch, Dominique Ropion, François Demachy, Christian Mathieu, Christophe Raynaud, Nelly Hachem-Ruiz, Delphine Lebeau, Karine Dubreuil-Sereni, Suzy Le Helley, Jean-Christophe Hérault, Jérôme di Marino, Francis Kurkdjian, Maïa Lernout, Sonia Constant, Coralie Spicher, Alexandra Kosinski, Ilias Ermenidis, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud |
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What You'll Learn
Kenzo Parfums' first official release was in 1988
The launch of Kenzo's first fragrance came eleven years after the founding of the French luxury fashion house in 1977 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. Takada, raised in a traditional teahouse in the small town of Himeji, Japan, moved to Paris in 1964 to pursue a career in fashion. His designs were known for their Asian-influenced style fused with European construction, and his shows in the 1970s were highly sought-after.
Prior to the official launch of Kenzo Parfums in 1988, there is evidence of an earlier interest in fragrances by the designer. The earliest Kenzo perfume, 'King Kong', was released in 1978, in line with the brand's "Jungle Jap" theme. However, it wasn't until 1987 that the Kenzo Parfums division was established, setting the stage for the brand's foray into the fragrance industry.
Following the debut fragrance, Kenzo Parfums went on to release a series of successful fragrances for both men and women, including the flagship scent, 'Flower by Kenzo'. In 1993, Kenzo Parfums was acquired by the multi-national luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, further solidifying its presence in the fragrance market.
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Kenzo Takada founded the brand in 1970
Kenzo Parfums is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. Takada moved from Japan to Paris in 1964 and began his fashion career with a 'Jungle Jap' boutique located at Galerie Vivienne. The brand became Kenzo in 1976, as the American market considered 'Jungle Jap' too pejorative.
Kenzo Takada started with handmade women's clothing, and his first collection was made with $200 worth of fabrics bought at a discount house in Montmartre. He became known for using Asian-influenced style with the construction of European fashion. He drew inspiration from his travels to various countries, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Egypt, India, China, and Africa. This melting pot of artistic and cultural trends inspired diffusion lines like Kenzo Jungle, Kenzo Kids, and Kenzo Jeans.
Kenzo Parfums, the perfume division of the brand, was launched in 1987, although there is evidence of an earlier Kenzo perfume, King Kong, released in 1978. This early fragrance suggests Takada's interest in the world of scent before launching a separate perfume division. The first official release from Kenzo Parfums was in 1988 with 'Kenzo for Women', later renamed 'Ça Sent Beau', which translates to "it smells nice".
Since its debut, Kenzo Parfums has released a variety of successful fragrances for both men and women, including the flagship scent 'Flower by Kenzo'. In 1993, Kenzo Takada retired from the company, which was then acquired by luxury goods conglomerate LVMH.
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Kenzo Takada retired in 1999
Kenzo Takada, the founder of Kenzo Paris, retired from the company in 1999. Takada was born in Himeji, Japan, in 1939 and moved to Paris in 1964 to pursue a career in fashion. He founded Kenzo S.A. (stylized as Kenzo Paris) in 1970. The brand became known as Kenzo after a fashion show in New York in 1976, as the American market considered the original name, 'Jungle Jap', too pejorative.
Kenzo's work has been described as a "melting pot of artistic and cultural trends", inspired by his travels to places like India, China, and Africa. He is known for merging Japanese traditions with modern Parisian style, fusing Asian-inspired ready-to-wear designs with high-end European fashion. Kenzo's fashion shows were famously unorthodox, featuring dancing, theme rooms, and palm readers.
In 1993, luxury products maker LVMH acquired Kenzo. Takada retired six years later, in 1999, to pursue an art career, specifically painting. His paintings reflected the same fun, youthful, and Japanese-inspired style as his designs. Although he retired from the company, Takada did not stop creating. In 2005, he reappeared as a decoration designer, presenting Gokan Kobo ("workshop of the five senses"), a brand of tableware, home objects, and furniture. He later collaborated with a high-end French furniture company, Roche Bobois, in 2017, designing the Mah Jong sofa.
Kenzo Takada passed away in 2020 at the age of 81 due to COVID-19. He left behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in the fashion industry, known for his creativity, freedom, and harmony in design.
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Kenzo fragrances are made in collaboration with many perfumers
Kenzo fragrances are the result of collaborations with numerous perfumers. Kenzo Parfums, the perfume division of Kenzo, was launched in 1987, and its first official release was in 1988 with the fragrance "Kenzo for Women", later renamed "Ça Sent Beau" ("it smells nice" in French). Since then, Kenzo has released a variety of fragrances for both men and women, including the iconic "Flower by Kenzo".
The creation of these fragrances has involved a multitude of talented perfumers, each bringing their unique expertise and artistic vision to the process. Notable perfumers who have collaborated with Kenzo include Sophie Labbe, JoAnne Bassett, Daphné Bugey, Maurice Roucel, Francoise Caron, Sophia Grojsman, Daniela Andrier, Christine Nagel, Benoist Lapouza, and many others.
One of the most well-known Kenzo fragrances, "Flower by Kenzo", was created in collaboration with master perfumer Alberto Morillas. This fragrance is an emblem in the world of perfume-making, with its sensual blend of white musks, vanilla, pink pepper, and damascena rose. Morillas' expertise and artistic sensibility contributed to the success of this fragrance, which has become a hallmark of the Kenzo brand.
Another notable collaboration is the Kenzo Jeu d’Amour fragrance, developed by perfumers Daphné Bugey and Christophe Raynaud. This scent features a unique combination of pomegranate, blood mandarin, tuberose, and freesia, alongside a tea accord. The result is a sophisticated and captivating fragrance that embodies the essence of Kenzo's perfumery.
Through these collaborations, Kenzo has crafted a diverse range of fragrances that cater to different tastes and preferences. By working with a variety of perfumers, Kenzo has been able to explore diverse olfactory themes, drawing inspiration from nature, exotic destinations, and cultural influences. Each fragrance tells a story and evokes a world of sensations, reflecting the brand's commitment to creating sophisticated and stylised olfactory experiences.
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Kenzo is owned by LVMH
Kenzo is a French luxury fashion house founded in 1970 by Japanese designer Kenzo Takada. Kenzo Parfums, the perfume division of Kenzo, was launched in 1987, with the first official release being Kenzo for Women in 1988. Kenzo Takada officially retired from the company in 1999.
In 1993, Kenzo was acquired by LVMH, a French luxury goods company, for around $80 million. LVMH, or LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, is a multi-national luxury goods conglomerate. The acquisition marked a new chapter in Kenzo's history, allowing the brand to grow and adapt. Under LVMH's ownership, Kenzo has embraced streetwear culture, connecting with younger audiences.
Kenzo has seen significant shifts in ownership and leadership since its acquisition by LVMH. In 2021, Nigo was appointed as the new artistic director, bringing a fresh, contemporary streetwear aesthetic to the brand. Nigo succeeded Felipe Oliveira Baptista, who served as creative director from 2019 to 2021 and launched the Kenzo Sport line.
Today, Kenzo is led by CEO Sylvain Blanc, who focuses on innovation and boosting the brand's global market presence. With nearly 145 stores worldwide, Kenzo has established a strong global retail presence, particularly in key markets such as Southeast Asia, China, and Japan. The brand continues to evolve while honouring its rich heritage, offering unique experiences through its modern and heritage-inspired boutique designs.
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Frequently asked questions
Kenzo was founded by Kenzo Takada, a Japanese designer who moved to Paris in 1964.
Kenzo Parfums, the perfume department of Kenzo, was started in 1987, with the first fragrance, "Kenzo for Women", being released in 1988.
The first perfume by Kenzo was "King Kong", released in 1978.
Kenzo fragrances are made in collaboration with master perfumers like Sophie Labbe, Alberto Morillas, Daphné Bugey, and Christophe Raynaud.
Kenzo has released a variety of fragrances for both men and women. Some popular ones include "Flower by Kenzo", "Kenzo for Women", "Kenzo Jeu d'Amour", and "Flower by Kenzo L'Absolue".
