Monday, October 5, 2020

Red, Ruffles and a Kenzo Jungle Flashback

It's Monday, but it's a short week for me, going into a long weekend. So not bad for a Monday! 
I read that designer Kenzo Takada aka KENZO died in Paris on the weekend of complications from COVID. Link here for an obituary (link 'cause I love, of course). My floral jacket here is a piece of Kenzo, a small tribute.

  • Jacket - Kenzo Jungle, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here in April 2019 with dots for tea with my Winesday Women
  • Top - Tatum & Olivia, consignment; first worn here briefly with pink in September for scouting the Castle
  • Trousers - Zara, thrifted; last seen here in August with my scribble jacket
  • Shoes - Sol Sana; last worn here in July with blue, black and white


We had fog in the morning today - spooky! 
There should be a castle there! Where is it?

Despite the fog, it ended up being sunny and warm by the afternoon. 
Only a few more days of my spring/summer items, but I'm still squeezing in this not-yet-worn jacket. We'll be doing a little Flashback on it at the end. 
I thought it would look good with these high-waisted linen-blend trousers, and I was right. 
I love this bright red. 

Masked up. 
A nice red and white one from Mom. 

Instead of outerwear, I sucked in everything and buttoned two of the jacket's shell buttons.
I wrapped my blue leopard scarf around my neck, and slipped on a thin pair of orange leather gloves. 

  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - consignment


The stuff: 
And squeaking in one last wearing of these awesomely comfy shoes. 

  • Silver/gold cuff - JPL, vintage fair
  • Earrings - Tania Gleave, Vancouver
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes



Flashback: Kenzo Jungle Floral Jacket

When I heard that Kenzo died this past weekend, I knew I had to wear this jacket to honour him. I found it at Flavour Upstairs here in July 2017 for $29.99. It's a linen blend, and the beautiful floral is fully edged on the hems, cuffs and collar with black rick-rack. 
Kenzo Jungle was his juniors line, and based on the label (link here, thank you, Vintage Fashion Guild!), the prominent shoulder pads, and the fact that it was made in France, I am guessing this jacket is from the early 90s. Kenzo sold his label to the LVMH conglomerate in 1993, which means this jacket may have actually been designed by him. Despite extensive searching online, I have not found anything in this same fabric, but similarly shaped floral jackets are variously listed as 80s and 90s (there's a nice vague 20-year window!) and are listed in the $400-$1,100 range on curated vintage re-sell sites. So I think I got a bargain!

I wore it right away July 2017, pairing it with my vintage Pierre Cardin silk skirt. 
I noted at the time how classy it was that both my main garments were made in France. 

I wore it to work followed by the Vintage Expo in late September/early October 2017 - here it is all buttoned up, and I'm geared up for meeting with Cat, Yvonne and Karen to browse the antique and vintage booths.
I left the hat off for work. 

Some spectacular pattern-mixing here in August 2018. 
That's the first wearing of my red Fluevog Pilgrims shoes. I wore the jacket buttoned all day, for FASHION. 

And here is the last time I wore it, in April 2019, repeating the white sweater and dotty skirt from the first outfit. 
This was for our Winesday Women Spring Tea at the Abkhazi Gardens, a wonderful outing. 

Mathy stuff: Today's outfit marks the 5th time I've worn this lovely jacket, bringing the cost-per-wear to $6.00. I thought I had worn it more frequently, but it seems to have slipped into the "for special" category in my brain, and I've only been wearing it once a year. 

30 comments:

  1. You look fab in that Kenzo jacket. Yes to all these styles.
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  2. Sheila, this is lovely on you! I love the flower jacket it looks beautiful and the pants are amazing!

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  3. Like you I adore Kenzo. The man didn’t seem to age. At 80 he still didn’t have wrinkles.
    Love the jacket, love the whole outfit. Of all your outfits with the jacket, the combination with the ruffled shirt and the red trousers is the best for me. You know I am rather shy of pattern mixing haha. And the shoes are also very good.
    Greetje
    PS, you must have done a hell of sucking-in to wear that jacket buttoned up. Or you have a teeny weeny waist.

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    1. I have four piece of Kenzo, Greetje! I'm a fan. Thank you so much - I know the pattern mixing is a bit much for you, ha ha!

      Yes to both - I've always had a small waist.

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  4. That jacket is gorgeous and of all your previous outfits I love it with those fab red trousers the most.
    Your fog looks very spooky indeed. xxx

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  5. It's a beautiful jacket and it looks wonderful on you with the red trousers (gorgeous) and the ruffled white top (fab) and in all the outfits of your flashback.

    I hadn't heard about his death so thank you for that; I shall have to read the obituaries...

    Take care and stay safe,
    xxx

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    1. Thank you so much, Vronni! It is sad that this pandemic has taken another bright star.

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  6. I hadn't heard that Kenzo had died - I've put myself on a news diet as it was making me anxious. So sad but how lovely that you are wearing your floral jacket as a tribute. Such a fabulous pairing with the red trousers and ruffle blouse. And of course the jacket totally deserved a flashback, even if it was only a short one. Monday's outfit was the icing on the cake for me. Hope your short week speeds by, Sheila! xxx

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    1. I don't read the news either, Ann - mostly just the headlines. I loved this outfit and felt that he would approve.

      It's sped by, and now I'd like it to be really sloooow, while I enjoy my 6 days off!

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  7. I heard about Kenzo, very sad. Your tribute is very sweet. I think a best tribute one can give to any fashion designer is wearing their clothes.
    The cropped floral jacket looks amazing with those red pants and those chic white shoes. The white ruffled skirt is lovely.
    I enjoyed the fashion flashback with the jacket. Have a lovely day!

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    1. Thank you, Ivana - I agree. I think he would be happy that this jacket is still being loved after so many year.

      Thanks - I'll miss the pants and shoes (and the jacket) but they'll be back next spring.

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  8. I read about the designer's death, too, but didn't imagine I knew anyone who wore his clothes. You, of course, are the rare exception. I should have guessed that.

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    1. Of course, I wear them - I have four piece by Kenzo in my closet and I'm always on the lookout for more.

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  9. I love florals but am very picky about which ones I buy- that jacket, however, is a top notch floral. I love it! A nice tribute for sure.

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    1. I am also very picky about florals (all my patterns, actually). Thanks, Ashley!

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  10. Knowingly little to nothing about fashion, I was interested in Kenzo’s story and how he found his way to Paris. The jacket and red pants combo is so stylish.

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    1. He was a great inspiration to a generation of designers. Thank you, SAM!

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  11. Didn't hear nor read it about the dead of Kenzo. I think the news is dominated by Trump. Sad but true....... I can hear a song popping up.... For me those trousers really stand out. They look so amazing on you, and those gloves are gorgeous. I seem too have a thing for gloves, but never find a fabulous pair.

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    1. Yeah, I know, it is here too, Nancy. Sad but true (Metallica!). Thank you so much - I love coloured leather gloves, but they are hard to find.

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  12. It's always so sad to read about the deaths :( I hope we get a safer world soon!

    On a lighter note, that is a stunning jacket and a nice way to pay tribute - it looks so good with the bright pants!

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    1. I know, same here, Mica. Thank you so much! I loved this outfit.

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  13. Sorry to read about Kenzo, he was such a creative designer!, I love most of his work!
    Lovely that you own this jacket, a fabulous piece (quality!), and wore it as a tribute!. Looking really cool and elegant!. Those red trousers totally rock!.
    Lovely flashback too, the polka dots skirt goes so nicely with this jacket!
    besos

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    1. I know, it was very sad. I love his work too - I have lots of pieces by him, and look forward to honouring him every time I wear them.

      Thank you!

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  14. Ooohh, these are some thoroughly marvelous looks. I'm especially drawn to the classic mid-century lines of the (gorgeous!) ensemble you rocked for the Winesday tea.

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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  15. You have a few pieces of Kenzo, don't you? The jacket is beautiful, and I am a fan of the sweatshirt fabric pink dress. I had a Kenzo sweater with the tiger on the front but it was too small for me and I think I gave it away (now that I'm thinking of it, I will have to look for it).

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    1. I have about 4-5 pieces, yes. I love his stuff, and I see a bit here and there. I am still kicking myself for not buying a tiger-faced sweater last year. I hope you find yours!

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