NIGO x KENZO: A Dynamic Duo Takes on Paris Fashion Week
Hot off his successful collaboration with Pharrell for Louis Vuitton, NIGO is back with another exciting partnership for the Fall/Winter 2025 season. This time, the Japanese designer has teamed up with his longtime friend and New York graffiti legend, Futura, to bring a touch of the streets to the luxury house of KENZO.
The bromance between NIGO and Futura is evident as they join forces to create a collection that fuses their unique styles and experiences. In an interview before the show, NIGO shared, “I met Futura for the first time in 1996, in Tokyo. I was a big fan. The first time I met him, he wore one of my designs. And we started communication back then. So I often went to see him in New York and he also came to see me in Japan.”
Futura, sporting one of the pieces from the collaboration, was also present at the show. His signature calligraphy style is incorporated into KENZO’s heritage motifs, adding a touch of New York to the collection. The iconic atom logo is seen on jackets, bombers, and wide leg pants, while the spray effect from graffiti styling gives a modern twist to the traditional KENZO flower.
But the collaboration doesn’t stop there. Futura also lends his artistic touch to KENZO’s branding, creating a unique font that appears on accessories like shopping bags, bouquet wraps, beer bottle holders, and baguette bags. NIGO explains that these elements were inspired by his memories of seeing people carrying similar items in New York during the ’90s.
The collection is a celebration of the strong cultural connection between Japan and Paris, influenced by NIGO and Futura’s personal relationship. It is designed to be a commuter collection, with the men’s line taking inspiration from a futuristic high-speed journey from East to West, Tokyo to Paris.
The collection also pays homage to Japan’s vintage pachinko parlor machines, with knitwear decorations featuring their iconic designs. KENZO’s own graphics of Mount Fuji and Paris, inspired by the Fall 1998 Orient Express, are also incorporated into the collection. And of course, the iconic Kenzo Weave pattern continues to be a staple, appearing in denim and jacquard patterns.
Drawing from his personal experiences and celebrating his lifelong friendship with Futura, NIGO has given KENZO a refreshed look for the new season. With a mix of Japanese and Parisian influences, this collection is a true representation of the dynamic duo’s creative partnership.
