Felipe Oliveira Baptista, the current creative director of Kenzo, recently announced that he will be stepping down from his position this summer. This news comes as a surprise, as Baptista’s appointment was less than two years ago, and just three months after the unfortunate passing of the brand’s founder, Kenzo Takada. The Paris-based fashion house confirmed that Oliveira Baptista will be leaving on June 30, 2021.
Oliveira Baptista took over the reins at Kenzo in July 2019, succeeding Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, who had been with the brand for a remarkable seven years. It is worth noting that Kenzo is under the ownership of the renowned luxury conglomerate, LVMH, which acquired the brand from its founder back in 1993.
In a statement, Oliveira Baptista expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work with the brand and its rich heritage. He said, “I am extremely honored to have had the chance to serve this magnificent house, and to carry on the legacy of its founder, Kenzo Takada. I am incredibly thankful to my teams for their exceptional talent and dedication.”
While at Kenzo, Oliveira Baptista received a mix of reviews for his collections. While French critics generally praised his work, international reviewers expressed a less enthusiastic reception. His debut show, held on a scorching day in a plastic tent within a Paris garden, was criticized for its overly grandiose theme. More recently, his collection paid homage to the late Kenzo Takada and was seen as a collaborative effort with the brand’s archives.
Prior to his time at Kenzo, Oliveira Baptista had worked with esteemed fashion houses such as Max Mara, Christophe Lemaire, and Cerruti. Undoubtedly, his most notable period as a designer was during his eight-year tenure at Lacoste, where he remarkably doubled the brand’s sales, amounting to a staggering two billion euros.
Sylvie Colin, the managing director of Kenzo, expressed her gratitude towards Felipe Oliveira Baptista for his creative contributions to the brand. She emphasized, “We are truly grateful to Felipe for his immense creative talent and the significant artistic influence he has had on our House.”
As Kenzo embarks on the quest for a new creative director, the fashion industry eagerly awaits Oliveira Baptista’s next move, which is bound to be of great interest and anticipation.
Useful links:
– Business of Fashion – Felipe Oliveira Baptista to Leave Kenzo
– WWD – Felipe Oliveira Baptista to Exit Kenzo
