Circa 1975

France

Rare Japanese-print velvet bolero from the early days of Kenzo Takada and his first brand Kenzo Jap dating from the 1970s. Sleeveless wrap-around bolero with kimono cut-out at the shoulders, in bottle-green velvet printed with cranes in flight. Side cross buttoning with eight green plastic buttons. Lining in lighter green wool crepe with Kenzo Jap label, Made in France, size 38, with medallion depicting young Kenzo. There are six tiny holes in the lining at the bottom corner of the bolero, the only flaw to be noted. Clean and in good condition.

Dimensions: Equivalent to size 38 France. Height 58 cm, shoulders 54 cm, waist 77 cm, chest 92 cm.

Kenzo Takada (1939, 2020) moved to Paris in 1964. In 1970, he launched Jungle Jap in his first Galerie Vivienne shop, decorated with a jungle décor inspired by the works of Douanier Rousseau. In 1973, the Mode et Création group was formed, bringing together ready-to-wear houses and designers for the first time, including Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel and Kenzo Takada (Jungle Jap). They all wanted to promote innovative fashion, made by and for young people. In the 1980s, he created the Kenzo Jungle and Kenzo Jean lines. He left his company in 1999, which was bought by LVMH. He is famous for his poppy, jungle and tiger prints. His creations are emblematic of the fusion between East and West, between modernity and traditionalism.