New fashion-art auction in Paris

Announcing the June auction on Tuesday, 24 March 2009, Kenzo said he was sad to sell off a collection amassed over two decades, but had no choice as he was moving from a spacious home for a flat with a view that was 80% smaller.

The announcement came a month after the late Yves Saint-Laurent's mammoth art collection was put up for auction by his partner Pierre Berge, a €373,5-million bonanza that caused friction with China over a pair of looted bronze relics.

Kenzo's collection bears little comparison.

Auctioneer Claude Aguttes, who is organising the 16 - 17 June 2009 sale, estimated the 1,200-odd items expected to go under the hammer at around €1.5 million, a drop in the ocean compared to the YSL sale.

"There is no comparison to the Saint-Laurent/Berge collection," he said. "Their's was classic European. Kenzo bought pieces from all over the world that he liked, and which mostly are not from the West."

But among rare African masks, Australian Aboriginal artefacts and kachina dolls from the Hopi Indians, are wooden Chinese statues almost 2,000 years old, ancient Buddhas from the Gandhara region and rare Japanese negoro lacquer pieces from the 1500s.

"There are museum-worthy pieces in this collection," Aguttes said.

Kenzo carved out a place in Paris couture in the 70s due to his use of colours and kimono-style designs and retired a decade ago after handing over his fashion empire and his first name to French luxury giant LVMH.

But it was only in the late 80s when he moved into his current home that he began bringing home pieces culled from abroad or from weekend forays at antique stalls.

His vast timbered home, a former factory hidden at the back of a Paris courtyard, was redesigned as a Japanese house complete with bamboo gardens, a cascade, balconies, and an indoor pool. It measures 1,200 square metres.

After two decades in the house, the 70-year-old, who spends much of his time painting, is moving to a 200 square metre flat in the heart of Paris with a balcony and a view.

"I love this home but I want to turn the page, to live more freely, to have a view of Paris, which is something I miss," he said.

"I am upset to part with these objects, but really now I have decided to turn the page and sell everything."

Source: AFP

Published courtesy of