NIGO®, also known as Tomoaki Nagao, has stepped down as creative director of A BATHING APE®. The announcement was made on his honeyee.com blog and Twitter account on May 25th. His contract with BAPE's current owner, Hong Kong I.T., expired on April 30th. Going forward, he will pursue creative activities as a freelancer in a variety of genres. The blog post, titled "Announcement," includes an illustration by graffiti artist KAWS, depicting a figurine resembling NIGO® being buried. In 1993, NIGO® opened the boutique NOWHERE with UNDERCOVER designer Jun Takahashi and launched the streetwear brand A BATHING APE®, featuring a monkey character as its icon. The brand quickly caught the attention of young people who flock to Ura-Harajuku, drawing enthusiastic support with long lines on release days and high prices at auctions for limited-edition items. Its popularity spread throughout Asia and the world, with its products being sold in renowned select shops across the region. NIGO® is known for his extensive network of contacts across various fields. Together with hip-hop star Pharrell Williams, he founded the fashion brands "Billionaire Boys Club" and "Ice Cream," which opened a shop in New York in 2007. In January 2011, NIGO® sold his company, Nowhere, to I.T., a Hong Kong select shop operator. According to some reports, Nowhere had significant debt. He subsequently became the creative director of A BATHING APE®. NIGO® also launched the brand "HUMAN MADE" in the fall of 2010, which offers vintage-inspired items. He has also collaborated with eyewear brand "EFFECTOR," Converse's reproduction line "CONVERSE ADDICT," and vintage Polaroid film manufacturer "IMPOSSIBLE" to design brands, and has produced for Harajuku curry shop "CURRY UP®" and "TERIYAKI BOYZ®," in which he also participates as a DJ.