22.09.2020
Tigers need our help. And if 2020 is anything to go by, the lockdown docuseries of our times – the Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin love-hate flick Tiger King – only served as a reminder that they (we meant the tigers) need our attention right this minute. (Damn it, there are only 3,500 tigers left in the wild!) Kenzo has heard its roars for help and is now doing its part to shed light again on its endangered status. After all, its role isn’t a coincidence either as the fashion house has successfully made this striped beast part of its design story for most of the last decade. Under the fresh creative stewardship of Felipe Oliveira Baptista – he also oversaw projects at Lacoste in aid of alligators – Kenzo has partnered with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) on another initiative to help wild tigers with a new commitment to double their numbers by 2022. Named Tx2 (you can also call it tigers times two), Kenzo has launched a tiger-themed collection of organic cotton tees, sweatshirts, dresses and accessories that will see the fashion house donate US$10 to WWF for every item sold. And just like the rework of tiger motifs in his debut fall-winter 2020 collection, he has also bravely introduced another rendition just for Tx2. Its new cartoonish appearance is more relatable and current, possibly tapping on the popularity of tiger motif rugs that have anchored the streetwear scene in recent years. This new tiger emblem also appears as a patch on hoodies and sweats which likely references the designer’s time at Lacoste. The collection is available on September 28 so get ready because the human race owes the tigers big time.
