Aquatic Inspirations

Kenzo’s Spring-Summer 2020 line is set to make a big splash with fashion lovers across the globe as it pays homage to the brand’s founder and combines traditionally marine associated garments with modern technical diving gear.

The French fashion house looked to the home of Kenzo Takada for inspiration, and more specifically, to the surrounding seas of Japan where it is said that groups of strong and modern-day super-heroes plunged daily to retrieve treasures at the bottom of the ocean.

The Ama are groups of Japanese female free divers, who, for more than 2,000 years, have dived to the bottom of the ocean to forage for seafood such as shrimp, urchins or even pearls for their communities.

They train for the underwater feat when they are teenagers and are believed to be able to can dive well into their 70s. However, over time, their numbers have declined and these intrepid fisherwomen can only be found sporadically in pockets along the Japanese coastlines. They are referred to as the last mermaids and that is why the Parisian label found it befitting to create a collection in their honour.

The line boasts a tapestry of elements. For women, neoprene suiting in orange, violet and black are juxtaposed against crushed wet-look jersey tops and dresses. Skirts have been designed using mermaid jacquard linens, adorned with pearl buttons. The skirts pair well with nylon tops in vivid colours of corals and sleeves rolled up to the shoulder. Transparent suiting complements the prints of shrimp, mermaids and sea lilies. High waisted trousers feature an assembly of embroideries, reminiscent of treasures amassed while diving.

Woven ikats are featured on either dresses, tops for women or as panelling on shirts and trousers for men.

The collection features tailoring in liquid viscose, sun-bleached denims and ikat prints.

As for accessories, The Tali bag, which was first introduced in the brand’s Fall-Winter 2019 collection, is back in style for the sunny season but revamped for the theme. There is also a smaller version of it called The Mini Tali. Skins of viper snake have been used to resemble fish scales. Net straps and bum bags mirror the belt pouches used by the Ama and sunglasses are feature solarised lenses for protection. Traditional Japanese Okobo sandals have been designed in sea-lily print to carry on the beach-vibes and there are scuba sock sandals. There is also a new unisex sneaker style, the scuba inspired K-Wave for men and women.

Kenzo is located in City Centre Bahrain.