Almost two years on from his appointment as artistic director, it’s safe to say that Nigo is just what Kenzo needed. The Japanese designer – renowned for founding Bape and Human Made, and establishing BBC and ICECREAM alongside pal Pharrell (Williams) – has successfully reinvigorated the label by allying his signature aesthetic with that of the French-Japanese maison to formulate collections that appease both his and the brand’s unwavering followings.
His debut Kenzo sneaker, the Kenzo Dome, epitomises the intersection at which he works.
More mature, luxurious and minimalistic than most Nigo-designed trainers to have come before it – the BapeSta, the Human Made x Adidas Stan Smith, et cetera – the Dome is symbolic of his Kenzo era. Yet, his primary inspiration still remains the same: street subcultures. In this instance, the Nineties skateboarding scene.
The skater influence is palpable in the puffy tongue, padded collar, weighty midsole and flat outsole, as well as the textiles chosen to fashion the silhouette – resilient suede (pink, beige and black) or grainy leather (white) supported by a grippy gum sole.
The moniker, too, since its namesake is a renowned Parisian skate spot located on the grounds of the Palais de Tokyo.
The Kenzo Dome campaign authenticates the relationship between the high fashion crep and skateboarding culture. Moments captured by photographers Franck Lebon and Winter Vandenbrink, starring apparel and accessories from Kenzo's latest season, demonstrate the sneaker’s ability to support genuine skateboarders as they perform tricks in urban environments.
The Kenzo Dome sneaker is available now on the Kenzo webstore and select retailers for £265.
