The Asian fusion of design and aesthetic into a Eurocentric scope of luxury fashion has been substantial. With labels such as Kenzo and Comme des Garçons, the fashion industry continues to gain much inspiration from the East. Kenzo Takada, the Japanese born designer who founded Kenzo in 1970, was far ahead of his times, going on to aesthetically add to fashion for decades to come. Kenzo's first collections proved to be a divergence from traditional French haute couture; an exuberant and eclectic, take on fashion. Antonio Marras, previously creative director of the label, said that "Kenzo was the first real outsider, he broke into the fashion world and made it change, preparing the future for others.” From traditional Chinese workwear to incorporating bold patters and contrasting colorful hues, Kenzo drew from the vastness of the world around him. With being able to embrace change and give a new outlook on aesthetic Kenzo went onto define the ‘anti-fashion’, where rules were relaxed and creativity fueled to create individuality. Kenzo’s most recent show did just that, with the collection ‘La Collection Momento Nº1’, inspired by the labels archives.

The show itself was held at Kenzo headquarters with a backdrop of the 1983 collection, a noteworthy year for the label. An urban wardrobe mixed with a vintage feel of florals with puffer coats, crewneck sweaters, quilted jackets and silky blouses. High waisted, retro printed pants and cropped jeans with high platform sandals and kenzo duffle bags. The show was followed by a performance of the reclusive singer Lauryn Hill. Similarly Rei Kawakubo, the designer of Comme des Garçons, deconstructed the aesthetics of traditional fashion with avant garden forms. With minimalism and uniquely detailed pieces, Comme des Garçons collections take you beyond the realm of fashion itself. Comme des Garçons which means ‘like boys’ was established in 1969, combining menswear and feminine silhouettes it formulated a new way of thinking. As Kawakubo is quoted saying "Comme des Garçons is a gift to oneself, not something to appeal or to attract the opposite sex.” Comme des Garçons most recent collection ‘The Future of Silhouette’, furthered this by limiting silhouettes redefining shape with an array of different materials and forms shown through the clothing. The influence of minimalism is strong in Comme des Garçon and attention to the limited detail accentuates the style itself.

Both designers have defined the fashion world and continue to make bold statements through their work. Both borrow from asian concepts of art form and design in different ways but further the assimilation of new ideas into fashion.

|By @hibaxali |
|Photo Credit @vogue|

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