Kenzo introduces the minimalist cupsole Kenzo-Dome, Nigo’s first series of sneakers for the Maison — launching the brand into the world of sportswear.
If you have been to Palais de Tokyo in Paris, you definitely would have seen (or heard) skateboards and their owners cruising, performing steezy ollies or attempting other gnarly tricks at the museum’s entrance. To call this area — known to skaters as Le Dôme — an iconic skateboarding location in Paris would be a gross understatement; this go-to skating spot in the 90s was what turned the otherwise nostalgic and romantic city into the skate capital of Europe, the birthplace of many skate legends and tricks.
This was what Nigo chose to celebrate with his first sneaker series for Kenzo — introducing the Kenzo-Dome, a minimalist cupsole sneaker that pays homage to the Paris’s skate legacy.
With its flat outsole and puffed-up tongue, its clear that the Kenzo-Dome draws inspiration from the voluminous aesthetic of 90s skate sneakers. But this shoe is not just made to look like a skate shoe, it is build and meant to be worn as one. On top of being available in classic skateboarding suede (resilient and flexible) as well as in grained leather, the retro-look lining is soft and the collar is padded, providing extra comfort to the shoe.
A “Kenzo Paris” rubber logo is also applied on the nappa leather-padded tongue and at the back of the shoe, while the Maison’s logo is engraved on the side of the outsole, genuinely designed in this way so as to give the skater a better balance.
The Kenzo-Dome also comes in a classic variety of colours as well as seasonal shades, available for both men and women in beige or pink suede with tan rubber outsole, as well as in black suede with black outsole with tan rubber detailing. A white-grained leather version with white outsole is also available, completing the range with versatility in look and feel.
Balancing authentic skater culture with the Maison’s high-fashion approach, the Kenzo-Dome’s campaign is shot by Frank Lebon at Le Dôme, featuring a gang of friends skateboarding in a spirit of camaraderie reminiscent of the 90s, donning the namesake sneakers.
The Kenzo Dome will be available from June 2023 in Kenzo APAC stores. A second drop of the Kenzo by Nigo debut sneaker series will be announced later in the season. Once you are done with this story, catch up with the rest of our May 2023 issue here.
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