Americans in Paris

By: Maggie Maloney | Photographer: Courtesy of Style.com

July 23, 2014

On a rainy summer day overlooking the picturesque Seine River in Paris, Kenzo designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim showed their latest collection of menswear at Paris Fashion Week. Always calling back to the Kenzo archives since the duo took creative control of the brand in 2012, this collection stayed true to Kenzo’s vivid and spirited roots, with signature bold blocks of color and intricate prints.

The Spring/Summer 2015 menswear line embraces the mix of cultures designers Leon and Lim have experienced as Americans working and designing in Paris. The designers acknowledged the Americans in Paris inspiration by re-creating famous images, such as the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty and Cosette, the face of Les Misérables, seamlessly on sweater using the optical-knit technique. These created their own feeling of souvenirs gained when visiting a new locale and, as Leon himself put it, the collection is about “that sense of wonder when a tourist goes to a place like New York or Paris for the first time.”

The sense of wonder and adventure was undeniable throughout the collection, with parkas ready for a Vespa or scooter ride and matching polka-dot or striped ensembles perfect for exploring a new city. Patterns and prints were a major player, from a mod-black and white polka-dot to stripes in every color imaginable. The looks ranged from a pastel, preppy color pallet to a dramatic burnt orange, the entire collection was a whimsical show that refused to be dampened by the summer rain.

See for yourself in the imagery above.