# Kenzō Takada

> Japanese fashion designer (1939-2020)

**Wikidata**: [Q454927](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q454927)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenzō_Takada)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kenzo-takada

## Summary
Kenzō Takada was a Japanese fashion designer and businessperson who lived from 1939 to 2020. He is best known as the founder of the French luxury fashion brand Kenzo, which he established in Paris in 1970. Throughout his career, he received significant international recognition, including the titles of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and Knight of the Legion of Honour.

## Biography
- **Born:** February 27, 1939
- **Nationality:** Japanese, French
- **Education:** Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Bunka Fashion College
- **Known for:** Founding the French luxury fashion brand Kenzo
- **Employer(s):** Kenzo (Organization)
- **Field(s):** Fashion design, clothing industry, interior design

## Contributions
Kenzō Takada's primary contribution was the founding of the Kenzo brand in 1970. This French luxury fashion brand, headquartered in Paris, specializes in high-end clothing, footwear, and accessories. The brand is renowned for its avant-garde designs and collaborations with notable figures in the fashion industry. Under his leadership, the brand became a significant entity in the global luxury market, eventually being owned by LVMH.

## FAQs
**Where did Kenzō Takada receive his education?**
He attended Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, a public higher education institution in Hyōgo Prefecture, and Bunka Fashion College, a vocational school established in 1919.

**What is the Kenzo brand known for?**
Founded by Takada in 1970, the brand is known for its avant-garde designs, luxury clothing, footwear, and accessories, and is currently owned by LVMH.

**What awards did Kenzō Takada receive?**
He was honored as a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres and a Knight of the Legion of Honour, both of which are first-rank French orders.

**Did Kenzō Takada hold citizenship in countries other than Japan?**
Yes, in addition to his Japanese nationality, he also held French citizenship.

**What were Kenzō Takada's primary professional occupations?**
He worked as a fashion designer, businessperson, and costume designer.

## Why They Matter
Kenzō Takada matters for his pivotal role in bridging Japanese and French fashion cultures through the creation of the Kenzo brand. By establishing a successful luxury house in Paris in 1970, he influenced the industry with avant-garde designs that blended his heritage with Western fashion. His recognition as a Knight of the Legion of Honour and Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres underscores his significant cultural contributions to France and the global fashion landscape.

## Notable For
- Founding the French luxury fashion brand Kenzo in 1970.
- Serving as a Japanese fashion designer who also held French citizenship.
- Receiving the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (first rank of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).
- Being named a Knight of the Legion of Honour (first rank of the French Legion of Honour).
- Educating at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies and Bunka Fashion College.
- Establishing a brand known for avant-garde designs and luxury goods.
- Operating as a businessperson and costume designer in addition to fashion design.

## Body

### Identity and Life
Kenzō Takada, also known by the aliases Takada Kenzō and Takada Kenzo, was a human and a member of the species Homo sapiens. He was born on February 27, 1939, and passed away on October 4, 2020. His professional life was defined by his occupations as a fashion designer, businessperson, and costume designer. He held citizenship in both Japan and France, reflecting his deep cultural ties to both East Asia and Western Europe.

### Education
Takada's educational background includes attendance at two notable institutions. He studied at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, a public higher education institution located in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, which was established in 1946. He also attended Bunka Fashion College, a vocational school in Japan that was founded in 1919.

### Career and Brand
Kenzō Takada is most famous for founding the Kenzo brand. This French luxury fashion brand was established in 1970 and is headquartered in Paris, France. The brand specializes in high-end clothing, footwear, and accessories, and is recognized for its avant-garde designs and collaborations with notable figures in the fashion industry. The company is owned by LVMH and operates as a significant entity in the luxury goods sector. Takada served as the founder and key figure associated with the brand, which is named after him.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Takada received prestigious awards from the French government. He was named a Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, which is the first and lowest rank of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Additionally, he was honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honour, the first rank of the French Legion of Honour. These awards highlight his impact on the arts and culture in France.

### Professional Fields
Takada's work spanned several creative and industrial fields. His primary field was fashion design, the art of applying design and aesthetics to clothing and accessories. He was also involved in the clothing industry, which encompasses the design, manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing of clothes. Additionally, his professional interests included interior design, the design of building interiors to achieve a better environment.

### Identifiers and Records
Kenzō Takada's presence in global databases and records is extensive. He is identified by numerous standardized codes, including:
- **ISNI:** 987007450181005171
- **VIAF:** 110943562
- **LCCN:** 16541949r
- **NLA:** 500524675
- **BNF:** 118948571
- **SUDOC:** 0210311630509
- **BIBSYS:** 90711744
- **NII:** 00150111
- **NDL:** 002290270
- **RERO:** 180182
- **CiNii:** DA08032780
- **NLA (Trove):** 3921746
- **KULTURNAV:** 11171354
- **RKDartists:** 297165
- **SNAC:** 613346aa-ab01-4953-8521-16137636198e
- **ULAN:** 500024521
- **MusicBrainz:** 000181287
- **IMDb:** nm0847025
- **Instagram:** kenzotakada_official

His official social media presence includes an Instagram handle under the username "kenzotakada_official".

## References

1. Fichier des personnes décédées mirror
2. [Le créateur de la marque Kenzo est mort du Covid-19. 2020](https://www.lefigaro.fr/style/le-createur-de-la-marque-kenzo-est-mort-du-covid-19-20201004)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. RKDartists
6. [世界的デザイナー高田賢三さん　新型コロナで死去. 2020](https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/sougou/202010/0013757158.shtml)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [KENZO　ケンゾー　高田賢三　Japan.](http://www.fashion-st.net/link/kenzo.html)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Japan Search
11. National Diet Library
12. CiNii Research
13. [Czech News Agency](https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/zpravy/na-covid-19-zemrel-japonsky-navrhar-kenzo-takada/1941478)
14. [Source](https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202010050002.aspx)
15. SNAC
16. Babelio
17. [KENZO創辦人高田賢三武漢肺炎病逝 享壽81歲. Central News Agency. 2020](https://www.cna.com.tw/news/firstnews/202010050002.aspx)
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. [一月才推新品牌 Kenzo創辦人高田賢三染新冠肺炎去世](https://udn.com/news/story/6812/4910480)
20. Library of Congress
21. [Source](https://www.centraalmuseum.nl/nl/maker/kenzo-takada)