As campaigns continue to flood in, and Burberry declines gabardine, Kenzo returns to Maxim's to capture the collection that was shown there several months earlier. In Spring/Summer 2026, Nigo, its creative director, continues the legacy of founder Kenzo Takada with a resolutely pop line, aligned with and imbued with the world of fashion.
Kenzo, at home at Maxim's
At the end of June, on the 27th to be precise, Kenzo took up residence at the famous Parisian club Maxim's for a fashion show. Alongside the dinner tables and a most sophisticated decor, the Spring-Summer 2026 silhouettes followed one another with numerous references to Takada's own collections. Today, the Japanese fashion house returns to 3 Rue Royale to shoot its related campaign.
But then, a question quickly arises: why this location? Because, according to both Nigo and Takada, it is one of the nerve centres of art in the capital. And no, we're not talking about a stuffy art gallery, but a meeting place. A place where "the artistic circles of fashion, art and music come together. From Andy Warhol's New York to the cultural attraction of Studio 54, to the creative communities that continue to define Nigo's world today," as the label explains in a press release.
While the fashion show took full advantage of the opulence of the establishment, the campaign is more contrasting, with a visual tension between simplicity and richness. We see Maxim's iconic patterned carpet, but to balance it out, Kenzo has installed a much colder white wall in the background to allow the looks to take centre stage. The poses are understated, the lighting is sharp, and Victor Brun's shots capture that suspended moment before nightfall, when everything seems ready to begin...
Couture at the centre of expression
In this deliberately minimalist setting, couture stands out as a true language. As the respectful heir to Kenzo Takada, Nigo continues to blend codes with instinct and precision, notably through his reinterpretation of the kimono-inspired suit. Both masculine and feminine silhouettes are enhanced by satin and velvet shawl lapels that add texture. This approach undoubtedly affirms the artistic director's vision, where elegance stems from clean lines and precise proportions.
The house's symbols also come back to life with intensity. The Kenzo Tiger, revisited from the autumn-winter 1998 archives, is expressed through jacquards and prints, while a trompe-l'oeil from a 1972 knit brings a touch of playfulness and surprise. Military influences inspired by the autumn-winter 1978 collection complete the wardrobe with structured silhouettes, metal buttons, generous pockets and Brandenburg details. Together, these elements create a rich, deep and contemporary collection, where minimalism and character go hand in hand.
Kenzo's Spring/Summer 2026 collection and campaign can be discovered at kenzo.com.
Article written by Tom Kuntz and Lohanne Mollo
Translated by Bethszabee Garner
