Skip to Content Facebook Feature Image

Kenzo brings mischief back to Paris' iconic Maxim’s with a riot of color and clash

ENT

Kenzo brings mischief back to Paris' iconic Maxim’s with a riot of color and clash
ENT

ENT

Kenzo brings mischief back to Paris' iconic Maxim’s with a riot of color and clash

2025-06-28 06:27 Last Updated At:06:51

PARIS (AP) — Few Paris addresses conjure myth quite like Maxim’s, the gilded Belle Époque haunt where artists and aristocrats once jostled for a seat at dinner, and a place immortalized in Cole Porter’s lyrics and classic Hollywood films as the very symbol of Parisian chic. On Friday night, at Paris Fashion Week the renowned restaurant-turned-nightclub became the improbable stage for Kenzo’s latest co-ed show — a riot of pop color, celebrity and cultural collision served tableside.

Guests perched around white tablecloths as Nigo, the first Japanese designer to helm Kenzo since the late, great Kenzo Takada, set out to prove the house can still surprise. What unfolded was a knowingly playful mash-up of preppy classics and off-kilter eveningwear: eye-popping pink dresses loosely gathered and knotted, each one tossed with a Left Bank silk scarf; a slinky tuxedo jacket paired with a blaring urban-printed tee in wild color, topped with a cartoon bunny in intentional clash. Think cocktail hour by way of Shibuya street style.

More Images
A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris ,Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris ,Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Designer Nigo poses for photographers following the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Designer Nigo poses for photographers following the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Tongue-in-cheek references ran rampant — a circus master’s striped waistcoat here, sheeny tiger-motif pants there, all nodding to Kenzo’s signature mix of high craft and subcultural wink. If the goal was to recapture the house’s historic sense of fun, Nigo went all in.

While the creativity on display was undeniable, the sheer abundance of ideas sometimes made it hard for a single vision to shine through. With so many bold references and layers echoing recent seasons’ spirit of collaboration and eclecticism, the collection sometimes felt more like a lively collage than a focused statement. Still, there were moments where the craftsmanship and playful accessories truly stood out, offering glimpses of the distinct Kenzo spirit that Nigo has made his own.

Since joining Kenzo, Nigo has brought a fresh spirit of collaboration and cross-cultural exchange, most visibly in his headline-grabbing work with Pharrell Williams at Louis Vuitton and his frequent partnerships with artists from across the globe. That outward-looking energy has helped pull Kenzo back into the pop-culture conversation, blending the house’s playful legacy with new momentum. As part of the LVMH stable, Kenzo now enjoys the reach and resources of the world’s largest luxury group, giving Nigo freedom to experiment, push boundaries and reawaken the brand’s irreverent roots.

It was a night that nodded to both past and future. After a string of worn years under the previous design duo, Kenzo seems determined to shake off old dust and reclaim its seat at Paris’ most storied table. The show at Maxim’s — equal parts fashion circus and cultural memory — was a reminder that Paris style is best served with a wink, a clash and more than a little mischief.

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris ,Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris ,Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

A model wears a creation as part of the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Designer Nigo poses for photographers following the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Designer Nigo poses for photographers following the men's Kenzo Spring-Summer 2026 collection, that was presented in Paris, Friday, June 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Josh Allen took a pounding, doled out punishment and delivered Buffalo its first road playoff victory in more than three decades, 27-24 over Jacksonville in the AFC's wild-card opener Sunday.

With linebacker Devin Lloyd bearing down on him, Allen found Brandin Cooks for 36 yards just before the two-minute warning and then capped the go-ahead drive with a 1-yard touchdown run in which Jacksonville let him score.

On the play before his score, Allen gained 10 yards on a sneak, refusing to go down while being pushed and pulled to the goal line.

“Just trusting everybody on the field,” Allen said. "Great win, great team win. All we’ve got to do is play our game, find a way to win a football game. We’re on to the next.”

Buffalo will play at Denver or New England next week, a chance to build a road winning streak after a decades-long skid.

“We got to go do it again. We got to go do it again," Allen said.

Focused on getting rid of the ball quickly and negating Jacksonville’s pass rush most of the game, Allen completed 28 of 35 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. He ran for two scores, was sacked just once and played turnover-free football. Khalil Shakir caught 12 passes for 82 yards for the Bills.

It was necessary considering NFL rushing leader James Cook was mostly bottled up, finishing with 46 yards on 15 carries.

“You know, we’re going to play for each other, we’re gonna fight to the very last second, and you saw that here today,” Allen said.

Buffalo (13-5) intercepted a deflected pass on Jacksonville’s final drive to seal the victory.

The Bills had been 0-5 on the road in the playoffs under coach Sean McDermott, starting with a 10-3 loss at Jacksonville in the 2017 wild-card round. The Bills had dropped eight consecutive postseason games on the road since winning at Miami in the 1992 AFC championship game. It had been the NFL’s second-longest, active road playoff skid.

The Jaguars (13-5) took the lead with 4:03 to play on Trevor Lawrence’s third TD pass of the game, but they couldn’t hold it against the NFL’s reigning MVP.

Lawrence completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards, with TD throws to Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and Travis Etienne. Washington finished with seven catches for 107 yards.

Coach Liam Coen surely will get questioned for not running the ball more against one of the league’s most porous run defenses.

Etienne and rookie Bhayshul Tuten combined for 118 yards on just 14 carries.

Allen, meanwhile, showed his toughness. He twice ended up in the medical tent in the first half but didn’t miss a snap. He got hammered in the head twice during one play, with Josh Hines-Allen landing on the side of his helmet right after teammate Travon Walker tackled him to the ground. His left ear appeared to be bleeding, but he got checked out and returned.

Allen later slammed his right hand into the helmet of right guard O’Cyrus Torrence after releasing the ball. And he completed the injury trifecta when his left leg got bent awkwardly on his 2-yard TD run.

Allen stayed on the ground following that last hit from Hines-Allen and gingerly walked to the sideline and back into the tent. But, as usual, the 6-foot-5, 237-pounder powered through and was back on the field making plays.

The Jaguars had a chance to tie the game at the end of the first half, but Cam Little was wide left on a 54-yarder. The miss ended a streak of 20 consecutive field goals made for the second-year pro from Arkansas.

Little kicked the two longest field goals in NFL history this season — a 68-yarder at Las Vegas and a 67-yarder last week against Tennessee.

He got a chance after the Bills were flagged for being offside following a 34-yard completion that got Little into range.

Bills S Jordan Poyer (hamstring) was ruled out to start the third quarter, a huge loss for an already banged-up secondary. It left the Bills to play with rookie Jordan Hancock and second-year Cole Bishop. WR Gabe Davis, who played for Jacksonville last season, injured his left knee in the fourth and was carted to the locker room and ruled out. WR Tyrell Shavers injured his left knee during a punt return but returned in the second half.

Jaguars RG Patrick Mekari (back) left in the third. LG Ezra Cleveland also was banged up and alternating plays with rookie Wyatt Milum. WR Parker Washington was evaluated for a concussion in the first half and cleared to return.

The Bills will play at Denver or New England next weekend.

The Jaguars will turn their attention toward improving a roster that lacked enough difference-makers on both sides of the ball.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Buffalo Bills' Ray Davis, bottom right, fumbles a kickoff return from the Jacksonville Jaguars as teammate Baylon Spector (54) and Jacksonville Jaguars' Devin Lloyd (0) try to recover the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buffalo Bills' Ray Davis, bottom right, fumbles a kickoff return from the Jacksonville Jaguars as teammate Baylon Spector (54) and Jacksonville Jaguars' Devin Lloyd (0) try to recover the ball during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets up after collecting a first down near the Jacksonville Jaguars end zone later in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets up after collecting a first down near the Jacksonville Jaguars end zone later in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) pushes in for a first down as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead (91) tries to stop him during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) pushes in for a first down as Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead (91) tries to stop him during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Recommended Articles