Starting from a small shop, NIGO pushed Japanese fashion onto the world stage, expanding his business empire across menswear, womenswear, children’s fashion, cafés, and music labels. Even after facing a significant commercial crisis, he stayed true to himself, creating a new brand and revitalizing his career. Today, let’s dive into three little-known facts about NIGO, the iconic designer who has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry.
Firstly, NIGO’s real name is Tomoaki Nagao. Due to his resemblance to the fashion icon Hiroshi Fujiwara, friends jokingly called him “Fujiwara No. 2.” Over time, they began to call him “NIGO,” a name that sounds similar to “No. 2” in Japanese pronunciation. NIGO loved the name, and it has stuck ever since.
Secondly, NIGO is a true “slasher” with multiple careers. In his youth, he worked as a fashion magazine editor, served as Fujiwara’s assistant, and then opened his own fashion store, Nowhere, followed by founding A Bathing Ape. Today, he remains highly active, not only owning his brand Human Made but also serving as Kenzo’s creative director, releasing his own music, and running a curry restaurant, Curry Up.
Lastly, in 2011, NIGO sold the A Bathing Ape business due to commercial decisions. He now focuses on his second brand, Human Made, which draws inspiration from “evolution theory.” The brand’s concept symbolizes the journey from ape to human.
This Saturday, October 26, 2024, Human Made will open a new store at Repulse Bay Village in Hong Kong, featuring exclusive collections to celebrate the opening. Tetsu Nishiyama’s brand, DESCENDANT, will also be available at the Human Made Repulse Bay store. Nearby, you can also find NIGO’s Curry Up. Fans and interested readers, don’t miss out!
HUMAN MADE REPULSE BAY
Address: Shop 107B, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Hong Kong
Hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM