Japanese Designer Nigo Shares a Look Inside His Impressive Collection and Childhood Bedroom

London —

Renowned Japanese designer Nigo, celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to modern streetwear, has recently taken a surprising step by visiting Savile Row, London’s famous tailoring street, during a trip to the city.

“I wanted to see what it was like to have something that wasn’t casual,” Nigo explained in a rare interview at the Design Museum, where a new exhibition highlighting his three-decade career opens Friday. He shared his tailoring choices, stating, “Recently, my suits have been from Henry Poole, but I’ve been having my suits made for the last 20 years from Huntsman and Anderson & Sheppard.”

Nigo cited a longing for variety in fashion, which he believes has become too casual. “It used to be that restaurants would have dress codes. Now, everyone’s in jeans. The world has changed,” he remarked. His sentiment reflects a broader trend in menswear towards more refined, quality-focused pieces.

Nigo’s expansive interests have spanned from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the haute couture runways of Paris. In 2021, he became the artistic director of the French label Kenzo.

Nigo, photographed at the Design Museum, wearing his signature denim and oversized sunglasses.

The exhibition at the Design Museum marks the first extensive showcase of Nigo’s work outside Japan, highlighting his influential collaborations with figures such as Pharrell Williams and the late Virgil Abloh. Williams noted, “There wouldn’t be Joopiter if it weren’t for Nigo,” referring to the online auction house for luxury items and memorabilia.

The exhibition features over 700 objects, including collectibles and traditional crafts, beginning with a recreation of Nigo’s teenage bedroom in Maebashi, where he was born in 1970. The display progresses chronologically, capturing key moments from his life and career.

The exhibition includes Nigo’s childhood decorations.

Nigo expressed his desire to exhibit everything from his background, emphasizing items from “1980s Japan, back when we didn’t have the internet.” The collection includes fashion magazines, a word processor, and a turntable from that era, alongside Nigo’s own designs and collaborations, including a stunning electric blue ensemble created for rapper Kid Cudi for the 2022 Met Gala.

A Natural-Born Tastemaker

Nigo is also an avid collector, drawn to items of personal significance rather than resale value. His keen eye for trends has led many of his acquisitions to gain popularity and value over time.

Nigo has been credited with propelling what we know today as streetwear.

Reflecting on his teenage years, Nigo recalled vintage shopping trips to Tokyo, where he bought his first Levi’s jacket for 38,000 yen. He humorously noted a significant price comparison, stating that the same jacket could fetch 3.8 million yen today. He now wears a replica of that jacket, complemented with limited-edition Nike Air Force 1 sneakers he designed, available for purchase at the Design Museum.

“I didn’t buy it with the intention of getting an investment piece, but it just ended that way,” Nigo explained about the jacket. He emphasized that his collections reflect his creative process, stating, “My environment is very important for me when creating.”

Kid Cudi wore a design by Nigo to the Met Gala in 2022.

Nigo reimagined Kenzo Takada’s iconic poppy print for a new generation.

Nigo founded the iconic streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (BAPE) in 1993, aiming to challenge Japan’s consumer-driven youth culture. Known for designs like the shark hoodie and signature camouflage pattern, BAPE gained immense popularity, partly due to its limited availability.

Desiring to stand out in a society marked by conformity, Nigo’s personal style reflected his taste for secondhand fashion. “If you buy something vintage, that’s the only one,” he explained, leading him to create limited editions in his own label, as he lacked the funds to produce large quantities initially.

‘What Hasn’t He Done?’

In tandem with his fashion ventures, Nigo collaborated with designer Jun Takahashi to create the Nowhere boutique in Tokyo’s Harajuku district in 1993. This partnership garnered attention for local fashion in Takarajima magazine, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in the industry.

Nigo and Pharrell Williams walked the runway together at a fashion show.

In 2003, Nigo and Pharrell Williams co-launched the Billionaire Boys Club brand, which merged luxury fashion with hip-hop culture, gaining a dedicated following. Shifting his focus by 2010, he established his next label, Human Made, and launched his first restaurant, Curry Up. Human Made recently made headlines by becoming the first streetwear brand to debut on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Nigo has also made strides in music, producing a rap compilation album featuring significant artists like A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator in 2022. Since 2025, he has served as the creative director for FamilyMart while continuing his role at Kenzo, showcasing his designs during Paris Fashion Week.

Nigo’s colorful designs for Louis Vuitton draw from his unique artistic vision.

Esme Hawes, the exhibition’s curator, emphasized Nigo’s unique approach to design, stating, “When we consider a designer, we often think of someone who draws and makes things by hand, but Nigo is one of those people who samples. He’s a creative polymath across many industries. What hasn’t he done?”

Addressing his role in an industry often dominated by White male designers, Nigo acknowledged existing Asian representation but highlighted the necessity for creativity beyond clothing design. “Nowadays, it’s not enough just to design clothes. You need to make culture,” he explained, lending weight to the influence of figures like Virgil Abloh.

Returning to His Roots

Nigo’s creativity has long been informed by his fascination with American culture, which emerged in post-World War II Japan as many youths adopted the styles of American college students. Nigo’s early exposure to this cultural exchange sparked a lifelong interest in Americana that informs his work today.

The exhibition showcases Nigo’s fascination with American culture and collectibles.

The exhibition’s title, “From Japan with Love,” captures the essence of Nigo’s journey and connections, along with his deep appreciation for traditional Japanese crafts exhibited alongside his own creations.

“The last section is more about what I’ve been into for the last 10 years,” Nigo elaborated. Reflecting on his evolving perspective on Japanese culture, he noted, “I realized how amazing Japan actually was,” influenced by experiences like viewing kabuki theatre, a traditional performance art form.

Nigo has recently developed a greater appreciation for Japanese customs including calligraphy and pottery.

Nigo created several tea cups, though only a few met his standards for exhibition.

Passionate about ceramics for their unpredictable outcomes, Nigo noted, “In the exhibition, there are 25 tea bowls, but I actually made about 2,000.” His dedication to the craft illustrates his ceaseless pursuit of creativity.

Ultimately, Nigo aims for visitors to connect with his story, offering insight into his journey and the cultural depth of Japan. “You’ll see that I’m not just interested in fashion. I’m still trying to learn about all the different things,” he concluded, embodying his lifelong creative quest.