Nigo shares his vast collection and childhood room

Japanese designer Nigo, known for his influential streetwear brand A Bathing Ape, has a three-decade career that spans fashion, music, and art. His latest project is an exhibition at the Design Museum, featuring over 700 objects from his personal archive, including collectibles, traditional craft, and vintage objects.

Nigo’s interest in fashion began at a young age, with his first purchase being a Levi’s jacket for 38,000 yen (about $200 at the time). He would often take the train to Tokyo to go vintage shopping, and his love for secondhand fashion led to the creation of his own label, Human Made.

The exhibition at the Design Museum is the first to be staged on Nigo outside of Japan, despite his extensive influence on creative tastemakers and collaborators, such as Pharrell Williams, Ye, and the late Virgil Abloh. The show features a recreation of Nigo’s teenage bedroom in Maebashi, Gunma, where he was born in 1970.

Nigo’s career has been marked by numerous collaborations, including his partnership with Jun Takahashi to open a boutique called Nowhere in Tokyo’s Harajuku district. He has also worked with Pharrell Williams to launch the New York-based streetwear brand Billionaire Boys Club, and has been the artistic director of the French label Kenzo since 2021.

According to the curator, Nigo is a “creative polymath” who takes things from the past, present, and future, and changes them into something new. They have natural foresight, which has lent itself to the many businesses they have launched, including their first restaurant, Curry Up, and their work as creative director for the Japanese convenience-store chain FamilyMart.

Nigo’s love for collecting is evident in the exhibition, with items ranging from fashion and lifestyle magazines to ceramics and unique objects. He has a particular passion for ceramics, which he finds unique and often serendipitous. “If you’re making clothes, you can make them exactly as you want,” he says. “It doesn’t work that way with ceramics. You always need to be experimenting.”

Nigo’s Exhibition

The exhibition at the Design Museum features a range of items from Nigo’s personal archive, including 25 tea bowls that he made himself. Nigo hopes that visitors will “enjoy seeing the life of a person who’s just like them” and get “a feel for Japan, and Tokyo back in the day.”

Nigo’s exhibition is not just about his fashion career, but also about his love for art, music, and culture. He has produced a rap compilation album with Pharrell Williams, featuring major hip-hop artists, and has worked with big brands like Louis Vuitton and Uniqlo, which are known for their sustainable clothing.

As Nigo continues to have an aptitude for new experiences, his exhibition at the Design Museum is a testament to his creative spirit and innovative approach to fashion and art. With his unique perspective and passion for collecting, Nigo remains an influential figure in the fashion industry.

Nigo’s Career Highlights

• Founded A Bathing Ape in 1993
• Partnered with Pharrell Williams to launch Billionaire Boys Club in 2003
• Became artistic director of Kenzo in 2021
• Launched his first restaurant, Curry Up, in 2010
• Worked as creative director for FamilyMart since 2025

Nigo’s exhibition at the Design Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in fashion, art, and culture. With its unique blend of vintage objects, ceramics, and fashion, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the life and career of one of Japan’s most influential designers.

For more information on Nigo’s exhibition, visit the Design Museum website.