The first large-scale retrospective of the world's renowned fashion designer Kenzo Takada since his passing, hosted at the Himeji City Museum of Art!

Kenzo Takada (1939-2020) was a Japanese fashion designer who was one of the first to enter Paris, continuously breaking norms with innovative ideas and creating attention-grabbing styles. After moving to France alone, Kenzo established his own brand in Paris in 1970, and by showcasing new possibilities of cotton fabric, he earned the title "poet of cotton," quickly garnering attention.

He later advocated for liberating the body from clothing, creating relaxed garments with features like straight-cut kimono sleeves and no darts, using unique color schemes and pattern combinations, and was called the "magician of color." He presented numerous works reflecting Japanese sensibilities. These pieces freely transcend borders, cultures, and genders, suggesting new garments unbounded by traditional Western-centric culture and are still loved worldwide.

This first major posthumous retrospective of Kenzo Takada, who passed away in 2020, traces his fashion evolution through costume exhibitions and showcases paintings he created from a young age, sources of his ideas, costume design drawings, among others, bringing his character to life from multiple angles, and reflecting on his creative activities spanning a lifetime as a pioneer Japanese designer who shone on the global stage.

[Image credit]
Image 2:
©︎Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.

Image 3:
Dress
1982-1983 AW
©Kazuko Masui

Image 4:
Vest, skirt
Vest, Skirt 1994
Himeji City Museum of Art
©Kazuo Fukunaga

Place：Himeji City Museum of Art

Transportation：[Public Transport] About 20 minutes on foot or 8 minutes by bus from Himeji Station [By Car] About 15 minutes from Fukusaki I.C. on the China Expressway via the Bantan Link Road to the Tohori Ramp exit, about 15 minutes when exiting at Himeji-Higashi I.C. or Himeji-Nishi I.C. on the Sanyo Expressway, about 15 minutes from the Chiji Ramp exit on the Hanshin Expressway and Himeji Bypass

Parking：The museum does not have a parking lot. Please use the Himeyama Park parking lot (paid) and others.

Business Hours：10 AM to 5 PM (Admission is until 4:30 PM)

Price：General: 1500 yen, University & High School Students: 1100 yen, Junior High & Elementary School Students: 800 yen

https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/art/index.html