Kenzō Takada (Himeji, February 27, 1939 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, October 4, 2020) was a Japanese fashion designer and the founder of the Kenzo brand. After studying at the Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, he moved to Paris in 1965, where he opened his first boutique, "Jungle Jap," in 1970. His style revolutionized the fashion of the era, introducing a multicultural aesthetic characterized by vibrant colors, bold exotic and floral-inspired prints, and wide, deconstructed silhouettes that blended Japanese and Western influences. His creations, often inspired by the kimono, offered a sense of freedom and joy in contrast to the formality of Parisian haute couture. In addition to his clothing collections, he launched highly successful fragrances. In 1993, he sold the brand to the LVMH group, retiring as its creative director in 1999. For his significant contribution to fashion, he was appointed a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture in 1984.