Your Favorite Designer’s Favorite Designer: Katsuya Kamo

After you read this article and learn how sick Katsuya Kamo is, he will become your favorite name to throw around to impress your fashion friends. Kamo first broke into the scene when he created headpieces for Junya Watanabe’s A/W 08 show. The models wore masks concealing their faces, made of grey fabric, with protrusions sprouting from their heads. These masks stole the show, and soon after Kamo was working for Watanabe regularly, as well as many other fashion houses. His looks are exceedingly memorable for their daring, ethereal presence on the runway.

In addition to runway shows, Kamo also works on a plethora of prominent magazine photoshoots. His looks often include some aspects of biomimicry, with allusions to butterflies, birds, and flowers. Kamo also explores themes of life and death and the animalistic quality of life. He works meticulously day after day in his studio, experimenting with materials and silhouettes, pushing the boundaries of his craft. But what is most effective in Kamo's work, is his ability to perfectly compliment the work of the designer he is working with, while still remaining authentic to his own vision. In a photoshoot by Karl Lagerfeld, of model Naomi Campbell, for V Magazine, Kamo was commissioned to create a headpiece that fit perfectly with Naomi’s Chanel drip. Campbell’s hair was partially braided, mirroring the arching headpiece and the chandelier-esque mask over her eyes. The headpiece was less of an addition, and more of an extension of Campbell. The model, clothing, and headwear all fit together like one of those three-piece puzzles for babies. Remember when Travi$ Scott was like “I’m the glue”? He was straight up quoting what Katsuya Kamo says after all of his projects.

Kamo has had his share of moments in the spotlight, but his first show with Chanel garnered him heavy acclaim. Chanel's 2009 spring couture showing connected with critics despite being rather unadventurous. The show featured traditional Chanel silhouettes such as half-length skirts and skinny dresses. What really impressed audiences were the headpieces designed by Kamo. He created beautiful bouquets of white and black flowers, transforming the overall shape of each model. The flowers complimented the floral shapes in many of the dresses, and the sweeping swatches holding them together reflected the design of the models’ shoes. Instead of seeing the same old ideas from Chanel, fashion editors were treated to new experimental silhouettes and ideas, spawning comparisons linking the looks to marble statues, or 17th century dolls.

After Watanabe put him on the map and Lagerfeld shot him to the upper echelons, Katsuya Kamo has been popping up in Chanel, Undercover, and Fendi shows consistently for years. He is revered by your favorite creative director for good reason. His headpieces and hair design bring energy to runway shows that compliment the accompanying looks well, and help to display a stronger narrative of the designer’s vision.