London’s Design Museum Announces Major NIGO Retrospective

Summary

• London’s Design Museum has officially announced a comprehensive retrospective dedicated to the life and career of Japanese polymath NIGO
• The exhibition marks the first major museum showcase for the designer outside of Japan and will feature over 700 curated objects
• Visitors can expect an immersive look into NIGO’s creative process through personal archives, vintage collections, and a life-size glass tea house

The Design Museum in London is set to host the first global retrospective of NIGO, the visionary creative who famously blurred the lines between streetwear and luxury fashion. Opening May 1, 2026, “NIGO: From Japan with Love” offers an unprecedented look at a 30-year career that shaped modern hype culture.

The exhibition features over 700 objects, including 600 items from NIGO’s private archive, which contains more than 10,000 pieces. Visitors will explore four thematic sections: The Future is in the Past, Evolution, The NIGO Effect, and New Traditions. Highlights include a recreation of his 1980s teenage bedroom, rare early designs from A Bathing Ape, and high-fashion collaborations with Louis Vuitton and Nike.

Beyond clothing, the showcase highlights NIGO’s influence on music and traditional Japanese craft, featuring ceramics he hand-potted and a life-size glass tea house. This exhibition marks a significant moment for the KENZO Artistic Director, charting his rise from the backstreets of Harajuku to global dominance.

Tickets are available now for this essential deep dive into the mind of a true cultural architect. “NIGO: From Japan with Love” is scheduled to run from May 1 through October 4 at the Design Museum in London.

the Design Museum
224-238 Kensington High Street
London, W8 6AG
United Kingdom