A celebration of culture and design: ‘NIGO: From Japan with Love’

NIGO, born Tomoaki Nagao in 1970, is one of the founding fathers who forever transformed the relationship between streetwear and luxury fashion. His influence spans far beyond clothing into hip-hop, record producing, and global design culture. From founding A Bathing Ape (BAPE) in the '90s and co-founding Billionaire Boys Club with Pharrell Williams, to becoming the first Japanese Artistic Director at KENZO since founder Kenzo Takada. Today, he continues to shape the most influential designs, ideas, and trends in contemporary culture.

On display at his first major retrospective outside Japan, a landmark exhibition at the Design Museum in London, are over 700 objects, giving a glimpse into NIGO’s world, including rare designs, some of his personal collection of vintage clothing, a life-size glass tea house made especially for the show, and a recreation of NIGO’s teenage bedroom.

NIGO: From Japan with Love is a celebration of his boundary-pushing creativity and an exploration of the cultural connections that shaped his career, spanning fashion, music, design, and popular culture, from Japanese craft and streetwear to vintage Americana and contemporary luxury.

Beyond the museum walls

The retrospective is also brought to life on the Canvas at Olympia, featuring awe-inspiring content celebrateing the work and influence of the Japanese designer and Creative Director. Located on Emberton Walk, the massive 83-metre-long, 8-metre-wide digital screen will showcase the visual display every 15 minutes daily until 4 October.

The first project marks a new year-long partnership with the Design Museum, which will also deliver a programme of bespoke, free cultural activations inspired by the museum’s exhibitions throughout 2026 and 2027. 

NIGO: From Japan with Love runs at the Design Museum until 4 October, with tickets available to book for timed entry.