How NIGO Designed the HUMAN MADE x KFC Collaboration
An exploration of the designer’s fascination with the American lifestyle.
With the collection’s launch just around the corner, HUMAN MADE offered HYPEBEAST a window into its collaboration with KFC. Having conceptualized the idea through his fascination with retro American iconography like The Colonel, streetwear maven, NIGO, traveled from his home of Japan into the heart of Kentucky, ending up at the chain’s headquarters, museum and archives.
Inspiration for the joint offering was the basis of the trip, and the designer found himself inside the brand’s cavernous catalog of artifacts, getting his hands on everything from old promo materials to the Colonel’s suit, as well as being put to work making his own batch of fried chicken. At first glance, a partnership of this caliber seems left-field, though, as the imprint has rooted itself in contextualizing ’50s Americana through a Japanese lens, NIGO realized there was a real connection between the typically collaboration shy HUMAN MADE, and Kentucky Fried Chicken’s archival design elements that aligned with the “vibes” he sought to pursue.
Watch the video above to delve into his process. Also, stop by the one-day pop-up shop on November 16 in New York City. NIGO will be in attendance. A second release will take place at HBX and at HUMAN MADE in Tokyo on November 23.
HUMAN MADE x KFC Pop-Up
242 E 14th St
New York, NY
10003
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
