Exclusive interview with Kenzo’s creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon; and H&M creative advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson on the Kenzo x H&M collection, which is making its global debut this November 3.

Kenzo x H&M.jpg(source)The creative forces behind the collection, Carol Lim, Ann-Sofie Johansson and Humberto Leon.

The fashion world is waiting with bated breath for one of this year’s most anticipated fashion collaboration to hit the rack. The Kenzo x H&M collection will be making its global debut this November 3 and we already have our eyes set on some of the pieces.

The envy-worthy ensembles, both for women and men, stays true to the heritage of Kenzo. Bold prints, fun details and playful silhoutte are the highlights of the collection; and the creative forces behind the collaboration want you to wear ‘em loud, wear ‘em proud. 

Iconic photographer Jean-Paul Goude shot the campaign for this collection, which is headlined by seven fashion figureheads and style icons – Iman, Chloe Sevigny, Rosario Dawson, Chance The Rapper, Suboi, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Xiuhtezcat Martinez.


Iman.jpg(source)Iman


Chloe Sevigny.jpg(source)Chloe Sevigny


Suboi.jpgSuboi


Ryuichi Sakamoto.jpg(source)Ryuichi Sakamoto


Rosario Dawson.jpg(source)Rosario Dawson


Chance The Rapper.jpg(source)Chance the Rapper


Xiuhtezcat Martinez.jpg(source)Xiuhtezcatl Martinez


Malaysia Tatler spoke to Kenzo’s creative directors Carol Lim (CL) and Humberto Leon (HL); and H&M creative advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson (ASJ) on the Kenzo x H&M collection.

You two are considered a dynamic duo of the fashion industry. How did this collaboration with H&M add to your portfolio? 

HL: Carol and I love to collaborate, and have done so since we started Opening Ceremony. We were so excited to collaborate with H&M because since we started as creative directors, we’ve never really looked at the archives. There are so many people around the world who only know our work at the brand, and don’t know the legacy of our founder, Kenzo Takada. We thought Kenzo x H&M would be the perfect opportunity to tell his story through our own eyes, and to bring his world together with our own.

Share with us some of the high points of working on this collaboration.

CL: We had such a great time researching Kenzo x H&M in the archives. Mr Takada was a designer who really broke all the rules of fashion, and it’s so amazing to see how modern his pieces still look today. He worked by instinct, clashing together colours and prints, and mixing different influences from around the world. It was so inspiring to us, and we loved mixing his pieces with our own to create Kenzo x H&M. 

What are your favourite outfits from this collaboration? 

CL: There are so many pieces in KENZO x H&M that I can’t wait to wear. The double-breasted leather coat with the pink faux shearling collar is going to be so great for winter, and I love the tiger print blouse with the frilled collar. There are so many fluid silk tops and dresses that will be so much fun to wear, and the medallion sweater will look so great with my favourite pair of jeans. 

H&M is on a roll when it comes to collaborating with big fashion brands. What drove H&M’s decision to join hands with Kenzo this time around?

ASJ: We’re so excited that Kenzo has agreed to be the next H&M designer collaboration. Since they started as creative directors, Carol and Humberto have brought such amazing energy and attitude to one of the most famous Parisian brands. Kenzo today is about the fun of fashion, a look that has become a favourite of street-style fans all around the world. With each of our designer collaborations we love to give our customers the chance to experience something completely new, and we can’t wait to share with them the fun and excitement of Kenzo.

The selection of personalities that appear in this campaign are unexpected, not your usual faces. What was the key to selecting these reps to showcase the collaboration?

ASJ: We love to think big at H&M, and be more ambitious than we’ve ever been before. It’s such a pleasure each year to work with some of the most exciting and creative people in the industry. We also love to surprise our customers with our projects. Together with Kenzo, we believe that fashion is part of a wider global conversation, one that brings together personalities from fashion, music, arts and activism and people who are making a stand.

Tell us more about the  collaborations under the H&M banner.

ASJ: It’s amazing to think that when we started our designer collaborations, there were so many barriers in fashion. It’s been great to see those walls be broken down, and to let everyone in the world share in the experience. With each of our collaborations, we want to give our customers access to a whole new designer world, and to have pieces by designers they may not usually get to wear. We love that with Kenzo x H&M, they will get to a taste of not just Carol and Humberto’s work, but also Kenzo Takada’s too. It makes Kenzo x H&M a very special collection indeed.

Kenzo x H&M will be making its global debut this November 3 at H&M Lot 10 and Avenue K, Kuala Lumpur.

On the beauty front, the Victoria Beckham x Estée Lauder is selling out fast!