KENZO welcomed visitors to GATE in Harajuku, Tokyo, for a four day pop up that transformed the brand’s Autumn Winter 2026 collection into an immersive experience. Running from August 6 to 9, the free event brought the world of “At Home With KENZO” from Paris to Japan, connecting the House’s heritage with NIGO’s contemporary vision.
The installation was inspired by the former Paris residence of KENZO founder Kenzo Takada, a place he described as an urban oasis for creativity, rest and celebration. First used as the setting for the Autumn Winter 2026 presentation in January, the house’s atmosphere was reimagined for Harajuku with Japanese visual references and a playful approach to fashion storytelling.
A Paris Home Reimagined in Tokyo
The Harajuku pop up brought elements of Kenzo Takada’s former home to GATE, an event space at 6 5-10 Jingumae in Shibuya. Bamboo groves, cherry trees and koi pond references shaped the environment, creating a setting that reflected the founder’s connection to both Japanese culture and Parisian life.
The choice of Harajuku was especially meaningful for the House. Kenzo Takada moved from Japan to Paris in the 1960s, where he built a fashion brand known for combining Japanese references, bold colour, prints and a joyful approach to dressing.
The “At Home With KENZO” concept created a dialogue between those two worlds. Visitors entered a space where French and Japanese design influences met, reflecting the way Takada’s work consistently moved between places, cultural references and ideas of home. The event was open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from August 6 through August 8, with shorter hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the final day.
NIGO’s Autumn Winter 2026 Vision
The pop-up introduced guests to the Autumn Winter 2026 collection created by NIGO, Artistic Director of KENZO. The range was originally presented at Kenzo Takada’s former Paris residence in January, making the Harajuku installation a return of the collection’s creative story to the founder’s home country.
The collection combines archival inspiration with contemporary styling. Key design elements include floral expressions, tricolour stripes, cowboy shirts, neo tailoring and varsity jackets. Together, these references show how NIGO is continuing to explore the House’s history while adding his own interest in streetwear, vintage sportswear and American cultural references.
Floral motifs remain particularly important to KENZO. The founder was known for using flowers as a recurring symbol in his work, and the Autumn Winter collection continues that tradition through prints, embroidery and colour. The collection also draws from 1994 KENZO archives, including embroidered organza and decorative details that link the new season to the House’s earlier creative language.
