The Latest Member of KENZO's Varsity Jungle

April 05, 2023

If you know KENZO, you know their motifs have never been too far out of the jungle. Animal motifs have always been part of the graphic codes of the French luxury house reflecting the passion for nature that was a hallmark of founder Kenzo Takada. When NIGO was appointed artistic director of the house, his ability to bring together the house's heritage with contemporary fashion codes became clear. He gave us a taste of what his vision with limited-edition drops leading up to his inaugural collection in which he reimagined Takada's original tiger design.

First presented in 1975 with a resurgence in 2010 under former creative directors, Humberto Leon and Carol Lim, the tiger was not actually Takada's favorite animal. He admired the tiger, but ultimately, the elephant, said to have the greatest memory of all animals, was his favorite. The late designer, who was himself known to have a good memory, often featured elephants alongside his tiger motifs.

Drawing from that, NIGO has designed KENZO's most recent collection, Varsity Jungle, with two distinct prints—the elephant and the tiger—to pay tribute to Takada and his legacy. The new elephant graphic, informed by 1950s sailor tattoo imagery, is presented next to Nigo's new tiger design in a “playful collection” of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and cardigans for Spring 2023.

Text by India Espy-Jones
Photos by Frank Lebon

KENZO tapped on photographer Frank Lebon to produce a campaign for the Varsity Jungle collection that celebrates close families and the spirit of community with Kenzo’s animal duo.

Printed cotton t-shirts with double-faced graphics, embroidered jersey sweatshirts and cardigans are available in black, white, blue, and pink. For the tiger varsity, additional colors of red and green were included to illustrate a palette keen to not only the jungle but the KENZO Paris name.

The KENZO Varsity Jungle collection is available now at KENZO stores and kenzo.com.

Fashion

Escaping the Glass Cage

November 19, 2024

For years, she stood still, watching life rush past her, a quiet observer behind the glass. Now, the glass is broken, and she steps out into the unknown. She walks through the city, caught between two worlds—part of it, yet apart from it.

Her journey is quiet but bold, searching for something she’s never understood, something just out of reach. On church steps and under glowing city lights, she questions everything: the rules, the past, and where she truly belongs. Each step feels both freeing and uncertain.

A curious soul in a borrowed life, she keeps moving forward, leaving behind only whispers of her escape, like a fleeting shadow in the night.

Photography by Robbie Augspurger
Talent Jennae Quisenberry
Styling by Emily Drake
Hair by Jerome Cultrera
Makeup by Charlotte Willer
Production by Robbie Augspurger
Photo Assisting by Ross Morrell
Text by Enzo Holdt

JENNAE wears COAT by MARNI.

LEFT: JENNAE wears TOP, SKIRT, BAG and SHOES by N21 BY ALESSANDRO DELL’ACQUA

RIGHT: JENNAE wears COAT, MINI SKIRT by DAVID KOMA, SHOES are STYLIST’S OWN.

LEFT: JENNAE wears TOP, SKIRT, BAG and SHOES by N21 BY ALESSANDRO DELL’ACQUA

RIGHT: JENNAE wears COAT, MINI SKIRT by DAVID KOMA, SHOES are STYLIST’S OWN.

LEFT: JENNAE wears JACKET, SHOES by MCQUEEN BY SEÁN MCGIRR.

RIGHT: JENNAE wears GOWN, SHOES by EMMA JOAN FOLEY.

LEFT: JENNAE wears JACKET, SKIRT by YOHJI YAMAMOTO, SHOES are STYLIST’S OWN.

RIGHT: JENNAE wears DRESS by GENNY, SHOES by CASADEI.

Fashion

The North Face Unveils Snowsports Collection for Fall 2024

Fashion

Total Recall

Born in the Moroccan town of Tétouan and educated in Paris, Khattabi’s upbringing required him to make sense of how the different influences surrounding him could align. In turn, his designs explore the embedded codes and history of his bicultural background. Total Recall addresses this phenomon by including garments meant to reflect adaptation and transformation. Skirts made of tire covers and motorcyle tarpaulins refashioned into dresses are scattered across the collection, conveying notions of displacement. Blending these elements adds an industrial touch to the pieces while still keeping a sense of movement.

From sweatpants infused with polka dots to nostaglic slogans and banner display, the ensembles symbolize hidden identities and memories. Giving us a glimpse into his own memories, Khattabi's work evokes affection for the past. It's a nod to the interconnectedness of culture and how we interact with its complexitites creatively. View the collection below.