Kenzo is a French brand with Japanese soul and origin. Not just a brand, but a whole philosophy that includes all the best from two polar cultures: French chic, sophistication and the Japanese oriental flair of freedom and simplicity.
After all, agree, among all brands, Kenzo stands out. You will recognize it by its simple, laconic, loose silhouettes, but bright, memorable prints, by its restrained shapes, but rich textures. Kenzo is “carried” by mysterious, creative, free and deep natures.
Kenzo Takada - the name, soul and philosophy of the brand
Kenzo Takada
So, the one with whom the brand itself is actually associated is Kenzo Takada. French designer of Japanese origin who “made” Kenzo. While studying at the Tokyo fashion design school Bunka Gakuen, Takada dreamed of Paris. And he got there by luck (his house was being demolished, Kenzo received financial compensation and went to conquer France with this money) in 1965.
The designer lived for five years in a gray, cold city, experiencing all the hardships of poverty and hunger. Therefore, most of all he wanted to bring some color to this cold Parisian world. And I worked on it.
Takada's idea was that he was the first to introduce elements of the national costume of his native Japan into Western fashion.
In his first collection, the designer used colorful fabrics purchased at the Saint-Pierre market: floral patterns, stripes, checks - the incongruous combination was perfect. And the French public of the 70s, accustomed to gray and blue tones, really liked it. And the silhouettes in the form of Japanese kimonos excited me even more.
"The body needs space. Both physically and spiritually", - this is exactly what Kenzo Takada’s philosophy sounds like.
He was also one of the first Japanese couturiers who presented Europe with the fashion for loose, voluminous and somewhat even abstract clothing. Moreover, it turned out to be free of any accessories and even recesses that emphasize the figure - freedom and lightness in everything. Such clothes turned out to be very necessary for the West, which was tired of provocatively close sexuality and glamor.
Modern Kenzo
Every year Takada created 5 collections, and all of them blew up the fashion world. At the same time, not once during his career was he involved in public scandals and never succumbed to trends and trends - he always expressed only his own views in fashion. Therefore, it is impossible to repeat it to this day.
Kenzo worked 30 successful years, and in 1999, having received the American Peace Prize, the designer left the fashion world.
Kenzo Takada is a world-famous designer who first proposed the idea of using elements of national costume in Western countries. Popularized
Kenzo Takada: biography
The future fashion designer was born on February 27, 1939 in the province of Hyogo (Japan). The village in which he grew up was very small and poor. His parents had five children, with the most youngest child was Kenzo Takada. The family owned a tea house. This is how she earned her living.
While still a child, the fashion designer saw beautiful models women's clothing in a famous fashion magazine. They amazed him so much that young Takada tried to redraw them. From then on, he himself began to come up with clothing models and draw sketches. It all started with outfits for paper dolls.
After graduating from school, Takada, like every young man, had to determine his future fate. He asked his parents to allow him to study at a school for fashion designers. But they decided that their son was making the wrong choice, and sent him to university to study English literature.
However, several months were enough for the future fashion designer to finally be convinced that he was taking wrong decision. Kenzo Takada left the university and went to Tokyo. Living independently in a foreign city and getting an education required a lot of money, so the guy got a job as a painter’s assistant. Takada spent his time washing brushes and priming surfaces for seven dollars. I had to work hard to get the profession of my dreams.
Japanese school of fashion designers
Tokyo became the starting point for a talented guy on the path to fulfilling his dream. Kenzo Takada entered a fashion design school and was the only boy there. Before this in this educational institution Only girls studied.
After successfully graduating from school, the fashion designer gets the opportunity to create clothes for the Sanai fashion store. He also works part-time as a fashion model for a local magazine.
Kenzo Takada dreams of going to Paris. He heard a lot about Parisian fashion from his mentor, who had visited this city more than once. Fashion collections, social events and lifestyle incredibly inspired the young fashion designer to travel.
But in order to go to France, you needed a lot of money. And here the designer was lucky again. The house in which he lived was being demolished, so Takada was paid good compensation. Instead of buying a new home with this money, he spent it on a ticket to Paris.
Long awaited trip to Paris
Kenzo Takada, having arrived in France, did not know the local language, had no money and no job. However, I felt very happy at the same time. The designer rented a small room and went to all the fashion shows of Chanel, Dior and Cardin. But after each show it became sadder and sadder. There was practically no hope for a successful future. He understood that the fashion world was very far from him. Most likely he will just stay
And in order to somehow begin to fulfill his desires, Kenzo decided to surprise the audience. Come up with something that no one has seen before. Takada received new inspiration after attending Courrèges' show. On it he saw, but not the same as usual. It was close to real, everyday life.
The fashion designer began to persistently study all the technologies for working with unfamiliar materials and colors. At the same time, he creates fashion collections for several stores simultaneously. He saved almost all the money to open his own company, which was supposed to bring him incredible success.
The first models created created a sensation throughout the fashion world. Kenzo used checks, stripes, and animal prints, combining all the details in the most unusual way.
Your own brand
In 1975, Kenzo Takada, whose photo you can see in this article, opens his first boutique. But he doesn’t do it on his own. His assistant was Atsuko Kondo, a girl who studied with him at the fashion design school. In his store he launched an unusual collection in Japanese style using cotton fabrics.
Kenzo created models that were very similar to This made Parisian fashion designers laugh very much. The style that Kenzo proposed was quite unusual. After all, people are used to wearing tight-fitting clothes, not baggy sweaters.
Kenzo's style had its own philosophy. It was that the body needs space not only in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense. The purpose of his clothing was to hide the human body from prying eyes.
Every year the fashion designer created five new collections, and all of them amazed the world modern fashion. The designer did not use zippers, buttons or other fasteners in his outfits.
Glory
At the end of the seventies, the fashion designer's store became the most popular place Paris. Every resident of France knew who Kenzo Takada was. And in the eighties, he was able to captivate the entire audience by showing off his outfits. At the same time, he put on great shows. The fashion designer loved real fun, so he always found a place for it.
In 1983, Kenzo Takada (biography briefly describes this fact) decided to launch a men's clothing line. The designer did not want to change his traditions, so the outfits for the stronger sex were also bright. The fashion designer used a rich color scheme and decorated clothes with drawings and patterns. Kenzo was the first to propose a combination of black trousers with white stripes with a formal jacket decorated with colorful flowers.
About the first fragrances
The Kenzo company released its first fragrance in 1987. It was a sweet and exotic scent that held Japanese secrets. It became very popular among women and made the designer even more famous.
In the early nineties, the first men's perfume appeared, which was called Pour home. This scent is very popular even today. Of course, over so many years both the packaging and the components of the perfume have changed, but the idea has remained the same.
Multicultural fashion
Kenzo Takada takes his inspiration from cultures different countries. Traveling a lot around the world, he finds interesting items of clothing from different nations. Then he combines them, modernizes them and comes up with new styles and images. His work has the largest number of stylistic directions.
Throughout his long and fruitful career, Kenzo has never been involved in scandals. Even in the nineties, when competition was rapidly gaining momentum, the fashion designer strictly adhered to his traditions and did not use scandals to attract attention. Takada had his own philosophy of life, which he was able to reflect in his clothes. In his opinion, you need to live in harmony with nature and enjoy the smallest little things in life.
New steps
In 1993, the Kenzo brand was at the peak of its popularity. It was at this time that she joined the LVMH holding. This company owns the most famous French fashion brands. Now “Kenzo” is here too. Takada was very happy about this, because he was able to completely immerse himself in the creative process. Now you don’t need to worry about the commercial side of your business. The holding brings the fashion designer a very good and regular income. However, this does not stop him. Kenzo continues to create and strives for new achievements.
The fashion designer, deep down, always missed his homeland - Japan. That’s why I recreated it in a smaller copy right in the heart of Paris. He built a small tea house similar to the one his father had, and also small pond with goldfish.
In 1999, Kenzo decided to leave the fashion world, arguing that he needed to rethink his life, rest and gain strength.
In 2002, he returned and delighted the world with new collections. Worked with many brands. I created some of them myself. In addition, the designer began to create stylish interior items. So we can say with confidence that so talented person I was able to fulfill my calling in life.
Kenzo Takada (the fashion designer's personal life remains secret) became a Knight of the French Order of Letters and Arts. He received this award in 1984. So we can assume that, albeit not completely, he fulfilled his parents’ dream. After all, the order was for literature.
» is a world-famous and adored French fashion brand that produces clothing, perfume and accessories. Since its founding, it has undergone many ups and downs. Read more about all this in our article!
The history of the creation of the Kenzo brand
A designer named Kenzo Takada presented his very first clothing collection in Paris in the 1970s with the intriguing title “Destruction of Haute Couture.” The clothes, striking in their chic and luxury, were, to the surprise of many, made from relatively cheap material that the creator purchased on the market. Having received many flattering comments regarding the stunning line of items, the fashion designer decides to open his own boutique in the heart of Paris - Jungle Jap Galerie Vivienne. Since it occupied a central position, a large number of people visited it daily and admired the works of design art they saw. Takada skillfully combined national elements with the Parisian elegance inherent in that time. In the same year, in such a short period of time, noticed by the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine, one of the models from the Kenzo collection appears on the cover of this popular magazine. A year later, clothing lines are sent to shows in the monster cities of World fashion - New York and Tokyo. In 1972, the creator received real recognition from the luminaries of this business, namely the award of the legendary “Fashion Club Editor”. Four years later, clothes and accessories begin to come out of the Fashion House with the name “Kenzo”, which is undoubtedly a great success. And during the same period of time, another boutique opens, since the more successful the brand becomes, the more space he needs it in global space. One of the couturier's cult inventions is the long jacket with a loose tailoring, which went down in history as a thing that every true fashionista wore in the 1980s. In the same chronological period, the label works painstakingly, presenting more than five shows a year in the most prestigious places in Paris. In 1983, the long-awaited line of many was finally born. men's clothing, where interesting striped trousers and jackets with floral motifs are presented. After 4 years, clothes for children also appear, which, keeping up with models for adults, are in demand. To attract even more buyers, a perfume collection was launched in 1988, which everyone liked, without exception.
Kenzo brand today
At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, in 1999, the company was left by its founder, Kenzo Takada, who replaced himself with a French successor named Gilles Rosier and the Danish Roy Kroeberg. After some time, the new managers sign a contract for the production and production of silver jewelry and watches. In 2003, the previous directors were replaced by Antonio Marasa, on the initiative of the LVMH company, which in turn produces interior items under the Kenzo brand. Maras successfully presents the 2004-2005 clothing collection, which no one in the brand had ever presented before. Critics appreciated the designer's creativity and even compared him with the great founder of the brand, noting that the new creative director successfully managed to preserve the flavor of the brand. In 2005, not wanting to continue expanding, Kenzo signed an agreement to create branded tableware, and a year later such pleasant women's little things as tights and underwear were released. Unexpectedly for many, in 2008, the label entered the market on behalf of own furniture! The success with which customers greeted her is incomparable! Developing rapidly, a year later Kenzo created the first unisex category in its collection with the name “Kenzo Unidentified Fragrance Object”, which everyone, without exception, appreciated. These days, the post of directors is occupied by Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, but, unfortunately, according to experts, with their arrival at the company, the products have lost their former grace and chic. One of the brand’s latest striking works is collaboration with the Vans shoe brand. Sneakers with a geometric pattern went on sale, and subsequently they became bestsellers.
About the creator of the brand Kenzo
Kenzo Takada is the founder of the French brand of the same name, who popularized Japanese ethnic motifs in Western clothing models. Born in 1939, on the twenty-seventh of February, in a small town in the outback of Japan - the province of Hyogo. This place had a very small population and practically no funding came from the state. Being the youngest child in large family, Takada often suffered hardships. The family's only source of income was tea production. Since childhood, Kenzo drew and thought out models of women's clothing, imagining how he would dress his sisters in beautiful outfits, making them forget about the poverty in which they were. After graduating from school, the guy leaves his native village and goes to Tokyo. In order to somehow cover the costs of living in the metropolis, he gets a job as a painter’s assistant. He received pennies for a busy work schedule, but still worked tirelessly to fulfill his dream of becoming a fashion designer and becoming the iconic figure we know today!
Carving for medium hair will give extra volume to boring straight strands, and the curls will become curly. In the photographs you can appreciate how styling brings femininity, romanticism, and playfulness to the image.
What is hair carving?
Carving (from English) long-term styling) - treatment of hair with gentle chemical agents that do not penetrate deep into the strands, but gently envelop them. The effect of the procedure depends on different characteristics and lasts on average up to 2 months.
The method will increase the volume and elasticity of the hairstyle, as well as simplify the upcoming styling.
Differences from chemistry and biowave
All techniques contribute to the formation of long-term styling, but have some differences among themselves:
How is the procedure performed?
Carving for medium hair: (the photo shows the procedure) consists of dividing the strands into thin strips, which are coated with gentle preparations, fixed in a certain position and then wound on different curlers. After 30 min. the composition is washed off and the curls are covered with a restorative agent.
Who is carving suitable for?
The procedure is suitable for women with thin, soft, sparse hair of medium length, and is recommended in the following cases:
- to give hair volume and fullness;
- to get a slight waviness;
- for those with oily strands, manipulation will “dry” them a little;
- those who want to change their image without the influence of powerful chemicals on their curls;
- when there is not enough time to create a beautiful everyday hairstyle.
Types of carving for medium length hair
In the photo you can see that carving for medium hair comes in different types:
Classic hair curling
It involves curling strands on curlers with a diameter of 2.5-3 cm. First, the curl is treated with the composition from the ends to the roots in a spiral. Depending on the bobbins used and the length of the curls you curl, you can achieve bouncy curls or large curls.
Vertical karting
As a rule, it means elastic small curls. Spiral curlers are used by winding them vertically along the entire length of the hair in a spiral. This way you can get maximum fluffiness. 
Local carving
The local technique will help create volume at the hair roots, since the specialist treats only this area, placing mainly large curlers under it. 
But this type of carving can be performed not only on the root zone, but also on the ends of long strands. The advantage of laying is the processing chemicals small area. You can use different bobbins.
Hair carving price
The cost of the service in professional salons differs little from the money that can be spent on purchasing a ready-made professional carving kit. Purchasing devices for home use seems more profitable, because for the same money you can perform several procedures.
In Moscow hair salons, depending on the length of the hair, prices for biocarving fluctuate in the following range:
- short - 1200-1800 rub.;
- average - 2500-3700 rubles;
- long - 3800-4500 rub.
Carving for medium hair at home
If you follow the following rules, carving can be done at home yourself:
Long-term styling products
For self-execution perms in addition to conditioners and shampoos will be required special devices, which can be purchased as a set or assembled individually. These are the right size curlers, special compounds for procedures that include activating, protective and fixing mixtures.
Curlers for hair carving
The following types of curlers are used:
Composition for hair carving
Preparations for the procedure should not contain ammonia. Thioglycolate is also a prohibited ingredient. If these two ingredients are missing, biocarving can be regarded as a gentle process, but not entirely harmless. Funds with the right composition for curling are produced by such well-known manufacturers as Londa and Schwarzkopf. 
The product is selected depending on the type of hair - normal, difficult, after coloring. The fixative must be produced by the same brand as the main drug. It is imperative to first check for the absence of allergic reactions to the product.
How to do hair carving yourself: step-by-step instructions
Necessary tools for the procedure:
- special composition for long-term styling;
- medium-sized curlers or bobbins;
- fixative, preferably from the same company as the main product.
Step by step technique:
Features of carving for different face types
Lush curls visually expand and enlarge the shape of the face, so biocarving is not recommended for chubby faces. For women with a thin and oblong oval, small curls are perfect.
For plump women great solution will become big waves descending curls, but in this case it is better not to do small curls.
Carving for soft and fine hair
Carving for medium hair (the photo will allow you to see how thin strands will transform) is well suited for soft, oily strands. The compositions used help dry them. The procedure does not deplete curls.
Owners of thin hair who decide to carve will find strengthening masks with folk remedies and aromatic oils Those with very fine curls should make restorative masks or apply special means care After curling, split ends may appear. To solve this problem, you need to regularly cut the ends of your hair.
Carving for thick hair
Thick strands are quite heavy, so the procedure may not capture them the first time. Often, heavy curls remain straight, cannot be curled, and only become dry. The result is not at all what the owner of thick hair expected. To see how carving works on thick hair, it is worth carrying out the procedure on individual strands.
Hair coloring and carving
Perming can be harmful to hair that is prone to dryness and has recently been bleached or dyed. It is recommended to color your curls at least three days after biocarving. On recently highlighted strands, the effect of the procedure may be uneven, and dry curls can be completely burned out.
How to style your curls
After making a gentle curl, you can use a straightener if you are tired of the curls. Then wash your hair and see them again: this does not affect the duration of the effect.
To maintain maximum styling results after curling, you should follow some rules:
Hairstyles for medium length with carving
Carving for medium hair: photo shows how stylish it looks this option hairstyles Carving looks especially advantageous on a square or cascade. The average length is enough so that the curls do not diverge under their weight. Long-term styling on medium-length strands lasts well, although not as long as on short haircuts. Winding can be done not along the entire length.
Who is not suitable for carving?
It is advisable to refrain from carving in the following cases:
Advantages and disadvantages of medium hair
Advantages of carving:
Flaws:
- for clearly defined curls, it is better to use a bio-perm;
- after applying the chemical components, a specific smell lingers on the head for some time;
- there is a possibility of split ends in the hair;
- some women notice severe hair loss;
- in any case, after the procedure you will have to style your hair the required form using styling compounds.
Hair care after the procedure
After curling, it is necessary to restore the strands using gradual care in case of dryness and porosity. It is advisable to choose a special restorative shampoo. After washing, conditioner should be applied to your hair. 
To revive the structure of curls in as soon as possible you can use a mask.
To prepare it you need to mix 1 tsp. castor oil, 1 yolk and 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar homemade. Apply along the entire length of the strands except the roots, leave for 30 minutes. and wash off. Coconut or burdock oils also help. It is not advisable to use a hair dryer, straightener or curling iron.
After washing your hair, it is better not to rub your curls, but to get them wet. It is advisable to comb with a wide-toothed comb. If the hair is in good condition, experts recommend applying only one type of professional quality mask. famous manufacturers cosmetic products.
Although carving for medium hair involves the use of gentle preparations, you should work with them with caution. But as a result, a neatly done hairstyle, which can be seen in the photo, will please any woman.
Video about carving for medium hair
What is carving and its implementation features:
How to create root hair volume using carving:
Carving means wood carving in English. Think about the process of cutting wood with a plane: what comes to mind are beautiful, curled wood shavings surrounding a workbench or machine. By analogy with wooden curls, Carving styling was born - a type of gentle perm that allows you to give your curls a durable and elastic spring-like appearance.
How to Carve Hair
The process of creating a Carving styling done in the salon is divided into several stages: preparatory, main, preventive and final. To understand what effect we will achieve, look at the photo:
Achieving the effect of long-lasting, playful and attractive curls at home is not easy.
On preparatory stage Carving hair styling involves thoroughly cleansing and degreasing the strands. Using special products, the master delicately cleanses the scalp and curls so that nothing interferes with the further effects of the chemicals.
Then long-term hair styling (Carving) moves into the main phase: the hair is divided into strands, each of which is wound on curlers. The master uses both reels of the same diameter and different sizes to give your hair a more natural look.
Now come into force chemicals for styling Carving, which covers twisted curls.
It is necessary to soak the composition for 15 to 30 minutes for a long-term Carving styling to form. Reviews about this procedure report that the liquid is extremely bad smell, which remains on the hair for a long time after the procedure.
When Carving hair styling is finished, the chemical solution is washed off from the hair, and the hairdresser evaluates the degree of impact. If the procedure has severely damaged the hair structure, the master applies professional medicinal products, soothing hair scales irritated by aggressive environments, sealing split ends and nourishing strands with healing oils.
The final stage of long-term styling Carving - drying the hair
At this stage, it is advisable to ask the specialist about products for styling Carving - mousses, foams, balms and masks. It is easier for a professional who works with hair every day and repeatedly practices styling after Carving to orient the client in the variety of existing hair cosmetics.
The long-term installation procedure - Carving - takes about two and a half to three hours. Process chemical exposure lasts no more than half an hour, the bulk of the time is spent styling the hair after Carving, which will give the curls the desired shape.
Hair care after carving
Having done Carving hair styling in the salon, the specialist will give you precise instructions on how to further care behind the hair.
The main requirements will be a ban on visiting the pool and sauna for two weeks after long-term Carving styling, limiting heat exposure to hair and a ban on washing your hair for three days.
These precautions are aimed at preserving the installation after Carving - chlorinated water from swimming pools and baths, as well as heat hairdryer or chemical composition shampoo may react with the liquid used for long-term Carving hair styling.
Carving at home
An expensive salon procedure can be successfully replaced by Carving styling at home, if you choose wisely the means for creating your hairstyle. How to do carving styling yourself? How to avoid damaging your strands and achieve a lasting effect? And how do you style your hair after Carving at home? First things first.
What products to buy
Primarily for curling hair for a long time chemical reagents will be needed. It is recommended to give preference famous brands, which have long proven themselves in the market - for example, Londa Professional:
or Schwarzkopf Professional:
If you have the opportunity to consult with a stylist who has positive experience with Carving styling, you should not neglect it. The master will advise not only the composition, but also tell you where it can be purchased more profitably.
When buying a liquid for chemical exposure, you should pay attention to accompanying products that help reduce the harm of the aggressive influence of the main component - fluids, serums and masks for the preventive stage. A competent consultant in a barber shop will tell you what additional jars to buy.
In addition to the reagent, you will need curlers for curling your hair. Here, in no case should you settle on metal devices, since metals actively react to oxidizing components, quickly react with chemical solutions, and it is impossible to predict the consequences.
The diameter of the devices should be of medium size - 2-3 cm
It makes more sense to use plastic or wooden bobbins. Too small curlers will give the effect of African curls, and large curlers will most likely not give the effect at all.
What do we have to do
The further process is not much different from salon practice:
- Wash your hair thoroughly with shampoo for oily hair.
- Dry the curls, but not completely - they should remain damp.
- Divide your hair into strands and wrap each strand in curlers.
- Apply the Carving composition to each strand pointwise and repeat the application three times.
- Cover your head with a hair cap or bag, and wrap it in a towel. To achieve the best sauna effect, warm your head with a hairdryer.
- Leave the liquid on your hair for 15 minutes.
- After untwisting all the hair curlers, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. running water without soap compositions for 5-10 minutes.
- Let your hair dry on its own, thermal effect using a hair dryer can damage your hair.
Carefully untwist one strand in an inconspicuous place and see the degree of impact. If the curl has acquired the desired degree of curl, remove the remaining curlers. If not, twirl the curl back and hold it some more.
Carving hair styling for short hair is also possible; its design is not much different from the one above. It should be borne in mind that short hair is lighter than long curls, therefore, the effect of the hairstyle on them will appear more clearly.
