Felipe Oliveira Baptista Steps Down as Kenzo’s Artistic Director

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Kenzo is undergoing changes. Today, the Parisian house announced that its Artistic Director, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, will depart from the position and brand after a two year run. The news comes months after the passing of the house’s founder Kenzō Takada in October.

Oliveira Baptista joined Kenzo in 2019, following Humberto Leon and Carol Lim’s eight year long direction at the LVMH house. The latter duo drove contemporary and modernity home with their easily recognizable motifs (like the tiger emblem) and streetwear sensible pieces, their experiential mindset, and their quick and accessible route to luxury for ordinary consumers in the form of retail collaborations.

In a natural sense those who come after fill the shoes of those who have preceded them, yet in Oliveira Baptista’s case, it couldn’t be more different both visually and chronologically. Rather than referring to Humberto and Lim’s path, Oliveria Baptista travelled back in time to Takada’s original innovations and aimed to bring back traditional – the Kenzo kind. Inspired by the house’s archives, Oliveira Baptista focused on freedom, zoomed in on color, fused artistic patterns, and maneuvered movement; much like Takada he wanted clothing to be exuberant but the nonetheless livable. Even down to the logo, Oliveira Baptista made sure to pay homage to the house’s roots, changing the sleek lined typography to constructed, detached lettering and removing “Paris” to exemplifying Takada’s drive for worldly, nomadic fashion.

Oliveira Baptista’s term at Kenzo is brief compared to his prior eight year residence at Lacoste. And while his exit is merely two months away, neither an official replacement nor potential candidates for the role have been announced. As the designer gets ready to officially leave the label on June 30, what direction will the brand and the designer go in next?

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createdAt:Mon, 26 Apr 2021 14:08:58 +0000
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