ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

First NIGO Retrospective Opens at London's Design Museum in 2026

exhibition · 2026-04-24

From 1 May to 4 October 2026, the Design Museum in London will present "NIGO: From Japan with Love," the inaugural retrospective honoring Japanese fashion designer NIGO. This exhibition, encompassing over 700 items—600 sourced from NIGO's personal collection—charts his evolution over more than thirty years, from the backstreets of Harajuku to his global impact. It delves into his pivotal role in transforming streetwear and luxury fashion through brands like A Bathing Ape (BAPE) and partnerships with Nike, Louis Vuitton, Pepsi, and Nintendo. The exhibition is divided into four segments: "The Future is in the Past," "Evolution," "The NIGO Effect," and "New Traditions," beginning with a recreation of his 1980s Tokyo bedroom. Tim Marlow, Director and CEO of the Design Museum, emphasized NIGO's vital yet often overlooked influence on fashion and brand collaborations.

Key facts

  • First NIGO retrospective opens at the Design Museum in London.
  • Exhibition runs from 1 May to 4 October 2026.
  • Over 700 objects on display, 600 from NIGO's personal archive.
  • Four sections: The Future is in the Past, Evolution, The NIGO Effect, New Traditions.
  • Includes reconstruction of NIGO's teenage bedroom in 1980s Tokyo.
  • Covers founding of NOWHERE with Jun Takahashi and launch of BAPE in early 1990s.
  • Features collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton, Nike, Pepsi, Nintendo.
  • Showcases NIGO's ceramics and a commissioned glass tea house.

Entities

Artists

  • NIGO
  • Jun Takahashi
  • Pharrell Williams

Institutions

  • Design Museum
  • A Bathing Ape (BAPE)
  • NOWHERE
  • Nike
  • Louis Vuitton
  • Pepsi
  • Nintendo
  • Billionaire Boys Club
  • Teriyaki Boyz
  • KENZO

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Harajuku
  • Tokyo
  • Japan

Sources