Opening Ceremony's Humberto Leon & Carol Lim are the new designers at Kenzo

[lebigt]

@derekblasberg - twitter

 

[Deleted member 7575]

That man cannot keep his twitter feed shut. He also tweeted backstage at a concert that Riccardo Tisci was signed to Dior

Won't believe it until WWD says so.

 

[lebigt]

http://madame.lefigaro.fr/style/opening-ceremony-arrive-chez-kenzo-110711-168648
(Translation into English)

Eight years after the beginning of the Sardinian designer Antonio Marras at Kenzo's artistic director, Pierre-Yves Roussel, CEO of the fashion division of LVMH (Louis Vuitton out, Fendi and Dior) Kenzo look back. Following the departure of Marras, he proposes a "hybrid formula," he said, naming Humberto Leon, Sino-Peruvian American, Korean and his business partner Carol Lim, founder of the U.S. label Opening Ceremony, at the head of the artistic direction of the brand founded by Kenzo Takada in 1970 and acquired by LVMH in 1999. "I saw twenty-five people. I seek neither a pure creative nor a stylist base, especially not someone from the seam. Spirit Kenzo is the interpenetration of cultures, a spirit-infused different artistic and pragmatic city, "he says while the creators have just arrived in Paris to begin work soon tomorrow!

Opening Ceremony of the pair has, since the label a decade ago, increased collaboration between their brand and different labels such Rodarte, Levi's, the boutique in Paris or Deyrolle multi Joyce in Hong Kong. "They know how to capture the DNA of names which they breathe oxygen from multiple collaborations with artists, says Pierre-Yves Roussel. This new business model is possible because Humberto and Carol synthesize all aspects that must explore the name of Kenzo. Their experience as founders of a brand, clothing designers, managers, multi-brand boutiques (they opened the multi Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles and New York) makes absolutely legitimate to issue a global vision and to recreate the spirit as that of Joseph's shop in his time or Marc by Marc Jacobs stores today. Their highly organized structure allows them to continue in parallel the activity specific to Opening Ceremony. "

1961 Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, Opening Ceremony.Photo duo Sebastian Kim

The designer duo has just signed a contract "for several years." With an impressive network of connections, "they have already begun to gather talents from all backgrounds," says the CEO of LVMH fashion business. At work right now, Carol Lim and Humberto Leon should present during Paris fashion week of October "something that is not yet defined but could involve a minidéfilé, presentation, or a pop-friendly store signatures, they are part of the stage musical, artistic, plastic or other, "he adds. Humberto and Carol, both 36, split their time between Paris and New York will lead an integrated team of designers and freelancers. "This is not the product Kenzo rethink in terms of age, Humberto Leon insists, but to revive the vitality of Kenzo Jungle Jap and 70s, embracing a community of thought and cultures to those of the wider world in the spirit of the founder of Japan. "

 

[Deleted member 7575]

alright, its true

 

[ultramarine]

Marras was awesome. But weirdly Im excited about this. Fresh blood. I wanna see.

 

[mikeijames]

lvmh is taking no prisoners. i'm surprised and delighted by their appointment. i've always enjoyed marras' work at his eponymous house better than his work at the house of kenzo anyway.

 

[mackos]

Wow, I totally didn´t see this one coming. Although, I actually kind of feel he lost his spark a bit doing Kenzo collections, so I´m glad he´ll be able to focus on his eponymous brand and we´ll be seeing something fresh in da house.

 

[LagerfeldBoy]

Although I loved Antonio at Kenzo, something was off about his work at the label. I liked what he presented, but it wasn't making me go crazy. However, I am excited about what Humberto and Carol being the new designers, especially because this was totally unexpected.

 

[LolaSvelt]

Interesting choices. If it is true, of course.

 

[mistress_f]

wow this came out of nowhere. it's definitely an interesting choice??

 

[liberty33r1b]

so surprising, i somehow never saw them as designers for a big label like this....will be interesting though, i can't wait to see what they come up with

 

[StoneSkipper]

Really interesting choice. I would not think Antonio Marras would leave this soon....

 

[educo]

Interesting and slightly ridiculous at the same time. Let's see what they come up with.

 

[Deleted member 7575]

It could be very good, it could be very bad. I think it depends on what kind of team they end up putting together.


this is certainly not the best indication...

 

[lebigt]

With the resources available to them at such a prominent house, I feel that Leon and Kim will really shine. Kenzo knows exactly what they're doing. All eyes on the house come fashion week, which translates into press, press, press.

 

[Crying Diamonds]

..It was suggested in the tfs newsfeed announcement that Marras' departure at Kenzo could be due to his appointment at Dior (at which I hyperventilated).

i've always enjoyed marras' work at his eponymous house better than his work at the house of kenzo anyway.

I didn't feel anything for his work at Kenzo, but I am absolutely in love with his offering at his namesake for winter.

style.com

As the world demanded traditional but awesome it seems that Galliano could only do one or the other at Dior, but I would have high hopes that Marras could create the mature, modern, wearable designs that could bring Dior down to earth with a head-turning beauty that Galliano could not achieve.

 

[Fatalefashion]

Insane fashion world!

 

[Ives927]

I think it's sad that the industry has come to this,

Leon and Lim, both 36 years old, plan to hire a team of skilled designers to realise their vision, splitting their time between New York and Paris.

via fashion.telegraph.co.uk

What ever happened to hiring designers that are designers? From what I understood, a designer is someone that can translate their own vision and ideas into tangible garments, someone that understands patterning, cutting, sewing, and tailoring. It's a big slap to the faces of design students that people with no knowledge of design are taking jobs from them in their own field. If they're lucky, they'll end up "realizing" the visions of people like Leon and Lim.

 

[MulletProof]

I love that this means a less stressed and more devoted Antonio Marras at his own label .. and I would HATE to see him at Dior, that house just sucks the time and soul of everyone, he's better off back in Italy, creating unique garments for his loyal clientele.

As for Kenzo, it was good while I cared.. zero shows to look forward on the last day of PFW now.

 

[simons]

I think it's sad that the industry has come to this,


via fashion.telegraph.co.uk

What ever happened to hiring designers that are designers? From what I understood, a designer is someone that can translate their own vision and ideas into tangible garments, someone that understands patterning, cutting, sewing, and tailoring. It's a big slap to the faces of design students that people with no knowledge of design are taking jobs from them in their own field. If they're lucky, they'll end up "realizing" the visions of people like Leon and Lim.

well said. my thoughts exactly.