NIGO: From Japan with Love

From the back streets of Harajuku, Tokyo, to the global stage, this is the first-ever museum retrospective and exhibition outside of Japan that will chart the career and life of the Japanese creative director, NIGO, one of the first creatives to bridge the worlds of streetwear and luxury fashion. Over a 30-year career, NIGO has helped define some of the most influential trends in contemporary fashion, successfully crossing fashion, music, architecture and interior design.

Open from 1 May 2026, this landmark exhibition will feature over 700 objects, with highlights including a recreation of NIGO’s teenage bedroom, rare designs, ceramics hand-thrown by NIGO himself, and a life-size glass tea house made especially for the exhibition. His work draws on influences spanning vintage Americana, streetwear, hip-hop, traditional Japanese craft and growing up in 1980s Tokyo.

Working across street style, fashion, music, and more, NIGO has been behind some of the most influential designs, ideas and trends in recent streetwear and fashion history. From founding his first fashion brand, A Bathing Ape, in the ‘90s to his current role as artistic director of KENZO, his impact remains as wide-reaching and relevant as ever.

The exhibition will give visitors a glimpse into NIGO’s world, from his personal collection of vintage clothing and objects to his close network of collaborators, and showcase his practice and ability to draw on wide-ranging disciplines and cultural references, which have given rise to some of the most iconic brands.

Background image: NIGO photographed at the Design Museum. Photo credit Elliot James Kennedy