ffitied rose print is a nod to NIGO’s own streetwear roots
NIGO’s SS26 Collection: “CLUB KENZO” Unites Iconic Cultural Epicenters
Kenzo, under the creative direction of NIGO, has unveiled its highly anticipated Spring/Summer 2026 collection, aptly named “CLUB KENZO.” This season, the runway is transformed into a dynamic space where past, present, and future cultures converge in a playful and interrogative blend of subcultures and refined design.
The collection draws inspiration from three iconic cultural epicenters: Andy Warhol’s The Factory, Kenzo Takada’s 1970s Parisian studio, and NIGO’s own expansive community spanning streetwear, celebrity, and creative contemporaries. Held at the historic Maxim’s venue, the show pays homage to NIGO’s deep roots with a soundtrack by Hiroshi Fujiwara.
Celebrating Carefree Summer Love with Bold Style
Titled “Club KENZO,” the collection celebrates the spirit of carefree summer love, where dressing for a night out becomes a bold statement. The Kenzo Guy and Kenzo Girl take cues from each other, blurring the lines between “his, hers, and theirs,” embodying a style that’s serious about going out, but not serious in its wear.
This playful attitude is reflected in the collection’s graphics, inspired by bowling alleys and a whimsical love story between a tiger and a bunny. The result? Charming “bunnies with tiger stripes” – a metaphor for the unexpectedly exquisite outcomes of blending different worlds.
Maximalist Details and Unexpected Pairings
The bowling motif is carried out in the platform shoes, featuring either a solid wooden base or a plastic casing reminiscent of a snow globe. Other standout pieces include cartoon animal-like wicker baskets as bags, vibrant floral printed purses, and more.
The collection also sees a punk subversion with the introduction of Italian tailoring, featuring hot pink dinner jackets that transform into bold daywear with new custom monogram linings. NIGO’s reinterpretation of Japanese tailoring becomes a new statement for eveningwear, rendered in fine satin.
Militaria and workwear pieces are elevated with luxurious details like mother-of-pearl buttons and bright faux fur, injecting punk-inspired colors into the collection. A rose-adorned chef’s shirt with asymmetrical buttons pays homage to founder Kenzo Takada, grounding the collection in signature archival silhouettes.
A Vibrant Collage of Patterns and Motifs
The collection’s patterns and motifs are a vibrant collage, featuring archival florals (including a revival of Kenzo Takada’s own rose print) mixed with early 1990s designs. These patterns gain a psychedelic character when remixed with contrasting shapes like stars, checkerboard, and harlequin prints. The new graffitied rose print is a nod to NIGO’s own streetwear roots.
