The world of streetwear has witnessed many influential figures, but Nigo’s unparalleled impact is indisputable. With an extensive career that spans founding NOWHERE, A Bathing Ape (BAPE), and HUMAN MADE, as well as serving as the Artistic Director at Kenzo, Nigo has left an indelible mark on countless brands. Despite his illustrious career, a collaboration with Nike has remained elusive – until now. Buzz surrounding a potential “Nigo x Nike” partnership has been growing, with sneaker enthusiasts eagerly awaiting an official confirmation.
Throughout his career, Nigo has drawn inspiration from the iconic designs of Nike, most notably with the BAPE STA, SKULL STA, and Manhunt sneakers. As the founder of A BATHING APE, Nigo’s nod to the Air Force 1 has proven to be the most culturally significant. Although Nigo has since departed from the streetwear label, his contributions during his tenure partially led to Nike’s recent lawsuit against the brand. The legal action claims that “BAPE’s existing footwear operations heavily rely on replicating Nike’s iconic designs“. Despite this, it appears that Nike has not been deterred from pursuing an official collaboration with the visionary himself.
The highly anticipated Nigo x Nike collaboration appears to be in the works, as sneaker industry insiders reveal that Nigo has signed a deal with the sportswear giant. Complex’s Brendan Dunne reports that sources indicate the partnership is still in its early stages, with an expected release not slated until 2024. Prior to this development, Nigo’s brands, including HUMAN MADE, had enjoyed a long-standing relationship with adidas, most recently working on the ADIMATIC less than a year ago.
Adding fuel to the rumor mill, Nigo was spotted wearing the Nike Go FlyEase in an Instagram post by VERDY last week. However, neither Nigo nor Nike have released an official statement regarding the collaboration.
