LVMH’s Kenzo Names NIGO As New Artistic Director

KENZO is under new tutelage by NIGO.

Japanese icon, Nigo, who founded A Bathing Ape has been tapped by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennnesy) Group to become new artistic director of the brand KENZO.

Nigo attended Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo (the same school attended by brand founder Kenzo Takada) and started A Bathing Ape in 1993. Also known as “BAPE,” the label became a pioneering force in streetwear — marrying relaxed, graphic styles with the hype factor of hard-to-find limited runs.

After Nigo sold the brand to Hong Kong’s I.T. group in 2011, he went on to launch two labels with super-producer Pharrell Williams (Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream), designed Uniqlo’s UT range, and collaborated with Adidas through his more recent label, Human Made. Virgil Abloh tapped Nigo for his first and only collaboration as menswear director of Louis Vuitton.

We’re looking forward to the designs that will come from NIGO’s aesthetic towards Kenzo.