Who is Nigo?
Tobaki Niga, known professionally as Nigo, is a Japanese fashion designer and entrepreneur best known as the founder of A Bathing Ape. This famous streetwear brand gained a cult following in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Nigo’s innovative designs, which blend Japanese aesthetics with Western pop culture influences, have significantly impacted street fashion and hip-hop culture. Over the years, Nigo has expanded his brand empire, launching several other successful clothing lines and collaborating with notable brands such as Adidas and Coca-Cola.
About | Info |
Full Name | Tomoaki Nagao |
Profession | A Disc Jockey, Record Producer, Fashion Designer, Writer, Entrepreneur, Businessperson, Composer, Drummer |
Popular For | Creating the urban clothing line A Bathing Ape, also called Bape |
Birthday and Zodiac
Age (As of 2023) | 53 years old |
Date of Birth | December 23, 1970 |
Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Birth Place | Maebashi, Gunma, Japan |
Nationality | Japanese |
Ethnicity | Aisan |
Education
School | Bunka Fashion College |
University | N/A |
Physical Stats
5 Feet 1 Inch | 5 Feet 1 Inches |
Eye Color | N/A |
Weight | 60 Kg |
Net Worth
Estimated Net Worth | $40 Million |
Family and Relationship
Father | N/A |
Mother | N/A |
Wife | Riho Makise, Yuri Ichii |
Siblings | N/A |
Children | N/A |
Social Media
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Apple Music, Deezer |
Biography Timeline
Tomoaki Nagao, also known by his stage name “Nigo,” is a Japanese fashion designer, entrepreneur, and DJ who co-founded the streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (BAPE) in 1993. He is known for his innovative, bold designs that blend Japanese pop culture with the aesthetics of streetwear. Here is a timeline of his life and career:
- December 23, 1970: Tomoaki Nagao is born in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan.
- 1991: Graduates from the Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo and works for the Popeye fashion brand.
- 1993: Co-founded A Bathing Ape (BAPE) with his friend, Jun Takahashi. The brand quickly gained popularity for its unique designs that mix streetwear and high fashion influences.
- 1997: BAPE opens its first standalone store in Tokyo’s Harajuku neighbourhood, which has become a cultural hub for young fashion enthusiasts and musicians.
- 2002: Launches his label, Human Made, which focuses on vintage-inspired clothing and accessories.
- 2011: He sells most of BAPE’s shares to Hong Kong-based fashion conglomerate I.T Group but remains involved with the brand as a creative consultant.
- 2013: Becomes the creative director of Uniqlo’s UT T-shirt line, collaborating with various artists and designers to create limited-edition graphic tees.
- 2016: Opened his store, His, in Tokyo’s trendy Aoyama district. The store offers a curated selection of vintage clothing, furniture, and other lifestyle products.
- 2020: He is appointed as the creative director of the Japanese fashion brand KENZO, where he oversees the brand’s design direction and collaborations.
Throughout his career, Tomoaki Nagao has been recognized for his contributions to fashion and pop culture. He has collaborated with numerous brands and artists, including Nike, Pharrell Williams, and Kanye West, and his designs have been worn by celebrities and fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Nagao’s influence on streetwear and fashion continues today, as his innovative and daring designs have inspired a new generation of designers and fashion enthusiasts.
Biography
Nigo was brought up on December 23, 1970, in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. His father was an engineer, and his mother was a housewife. Grew up in a middle-class family and developed an early interest in fashion and music. He was inspired by American hip-hop culture as a teenager and began collecting vintage clothing and sneakers.
He also started Ding and making mixtapes, which helped him to build a network of contacts in the music and fashion industries. Attended Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo, where he studied fashion design and developed his skills as a designer. After college, he began working as a freelancer designer, creating graphics and logos for several Japanese fashion brands.
Professional Life
After launching A Bathing Ape in 1993, He quickly gained a reputation for his bold and playful designs, which blended aesthetics with Western pop culture influences. The brand’s popularity exploded in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with A-list celebrities and musicians like Pharrell Williams and Kanye West wearing His designs.
Despite his success, Faced significant challenges in his early career years, including financial difficulties and a lack of recognition outside Japan. However, his determination and innovative designs eventually paid off, and A Bathing Ape became a global phenomenon. Today, He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in streetwear fashion and Japanese pop culture.
Net Worth: Assets and Properties
His net worth is around $40 million. In addition to A Bathing Ape, also founded several other fashion brands, including Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear.
He is known for his love of vintage clothing, and he reportedly owns an extensive collection of rare and valuable items. He is also a contemporary art collector and has collaborated with several artists on limited-edition clothing and accessories.
Regarding real estate, He owns a stunning monument house in Tokyo, designed by the architect Tadao Ando. The home features a sleek, minimalist design and an impressive collection of contemporary art and design objects.
Physical Measurements
He is approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall, and his weight is estimated to be around 60 kilograms. He has a slim build and often wears oversized clothing. He is known for his distinctive fashion sense and often incorporates vintage and streetwear-inspired elements.
Regarding physical features, short black hair and dark brown eyes. He sometimes sports a moustache or goatee and has been known to wear glasses or sunglasses. His fashion designs often feature bold graphics and bright colours, reflecting his playful and irreverent approach to fashion.
Personal Life and Relationships
He has been married twice, primarily to Ayumi Hamasaki, a Japanese model, which ended with a divorce in 2002. He married his second wife, Mademoiselle Yulia, a Japanese DJ and fashion designer. However, it is not publicly explicit whether He has any children.
Trivia
- Founded the streetwear brand A Bathing Ape (BAPE).
- He has collaborated with various brands and artists, including Adidas, Kanye West, and Pharell Williams.
- He is a big fan of vintage toys and has an extensive collection.
- He was the creative director for Uniqlo’s UT T-shirt line from 2013 to 2019.
- He has also dabbled in the music industry, releasing “Teriyaki Boyz” albums and collaborating with various artists, including Daft Punk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tomoaki Nagao, also known as DJ Tomoaki, is a Japanese disc jockey and radio personality.
Nagao was born on April 22, 1974.
Tomoaki Nagao’s stage name is DJ Tomoaki.
He is known for playing a variety of music genres, including J-pop, hip-hop, and EDM.
He hosts a popular radio show in Japan called “School of Lock!” on the Tokyo FM station.
He has been a radio personality for over 20 years, starting his career in the late 1990s.
He has worked with several famous Japanese artists, including EXILE, Ayumi Hamasaki, and RADWIMPS.
His net worth is around $5 million.
His Instagram handle is @dj_tomoaki.
He has released several mixtapes and compilation albums throughout his career.
He has won several awards in Japan, including the Best Radio Personality award at the Yahoo! Japan Search Awards.
His height is not publicly known.
He was inspired to become a disc jockey after discovering his love for music and radio during his teenage years.
In addition to his music career, He is a voice actor and has provided the voice for characters in several anime series.
His has a large and devoted fanbase in Japan, with many fans tuning in to his radio show and attending live performances.