Takada was in a longtime relationship with French architect and nobleman Xavier de Castella, who died in August 1990 from an AIDS-related illness. De Castella helped design Takada's 1,300-square-meter (14,000-square-foot) Japanese-style house, which started construction in 1987 and was completed in 1993. Kenzo Takada: "Chasing the same dream with my companion in life. Xavier expanded my horizons and showed me sights I will never forget. There are distinct social classes in Europe. There are some people who are blessed from birth with vast fortunes and never need to worry about working. Xavier was just such a person. He was a descendant of a genuine nobleman who received the title of Earl from Louis XIV."