NIGO Announces Final Season as Creative Director for A Bathing Ape

Since the surprising news broke a few years ago via WWD that A Bathing Ape founder NIGO would be stepping down from his role and handing over the ownership rights to I.T Limited, the Japanese designer and entrepreneur has since remained at the helm as Creative Director for BAPE. With an early morning Instagram post on his feed, NIGO has officially confirmed in a statement that as of April 30, 2013, his term as Creative Director of A Bathing Ape has ended. The comment for the picture read:

As of 30 April 2013 the term of my contract with I.T Limited (the new owners of A Bathing Ape since January 2011) as Creative Director has concluded. This brings to a close my 20 years of work creating and designing A Bathing Ape. From now on I will continue to work as a freelance creator in many different fields. I thank you in anticipation of your continued support. BAPE GENERAL NIGO® (1993-2013) painting by ©KAWS

Uploaded alongside the statement, NIGO included a KAWS Kimpsons image.