Kenneth Ize (born October 5, 1990) is a Nigerian fashion designer.[1] He is the founder of Kenneth Ize, an eponymous fashion brand, known for its use of traditional West African fabrics and craftsmanship.[2]

Early life and education

Ize was born in Lagos, Nigeria. At the age of four, he moved to Austria with his family.[3] At the University of Applied Arts Vienna, Ize studied fashion and was mentored by designers Bernhard Willhelm and Hussein Chalayan. After graduating in 2013, Ize launched his label at Lagos Fashion Week but took a two-year hiatus to pursue a master's degree before relaunching in 2015.[4]

Career

Ize's work focuses on the use of Aso Oke, a traditional Nigerian fabric woven by local artisans. Ize collaborates with weavers and design groups across Nigeria. His designs often feature technicolor suiting and androgynous looks, which he says pay homage to his Pan-African heritage.[5]

In 2019, Ize was a finalist for the LVMH Prize and introduced a womenswear line.[6] He made his Paris Fashion Week debut in February 2020, with models Imaan Hammam and Naomi Campbell participating in the show.[7][8] In 2021, he also collaborated with Maison Karl Lagerfeld.[9]

References

  1. ^ "How Designer Kenneth Ize Is Championing Nigerian Craft". ELLE. 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  2. ^ Coop, Elizabeth (2019-05-01). "The Designer Reimagining Traditional West African Fabrics for a New Generation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  3. ^ "Designer Kenneth Ize's Latest Collection Is His Most Personal Yet". The Zoe Report. 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  4. ^ "Kenneth Ize | BoF 500 | The People Shaping the Global Fashion Industry". The Business of Fashion. 2021-08-05. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  5. ^ "Kenneth Ize Brings Loom Exhibition to Ghana". The Business of Fashion. 2021-05-21. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  6. ^ Odu, Mazzi (2019-07-16). "Kenneth Ize, the LVMH-prize finalist redefining African luxury". CNN. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  7. ^ Freeman, Liam (2020-02-23). "Meet Kenneth Ize — the Nigerian designer making his Paris Fashion Week debut". Financial Times. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  8. ^ Nnadi, Chioma (2019-02-06). "This Nigerian Designer Has Naomi Campbell and Imaan Hammam Rocking His Mesmerizing Handwoven Suiting". Vogue. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
  9. ^ Phelps, Nicole (2021-07-05). "Kenneth Ize on His Maison Karl Lagerfeld Collab: "Sometimes It Feels Like He's Beside Me and I'm Telling Him a Story"". Vogue. Retrieved 2025-02-04.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenneth_Ize
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