Fashion designer NIGO(R) was born on December 23, 1970, in Gunma Prefecture.
He began his career as a DJ, writer, and stylist while attending Bunka Fashion College. In 1990, he opened the boutique NOWHERE with UNDERCOVER designer Jun Takahashi. In 1993, he launched the fashion brand A BATHING APE. The brand garnered passionate support from young people and led the "Ura-Harajuku" (backwater) brand movement.
He has attracted attention worldwide, and in 2004 he was named one of TIME magazine's "20 Asian Heroes" in a special feature, and in 2005 he appeared on the cover of the famous American magazine Interview. Furthermore, in 2005 he founded the fashion brands "Billionaire Boys Club" and "Ice Cream" with hip-hop MC Pharrell Williams.

In 2011 he sold his own company, Nowhere, to the Hong Kong company I.T., and in 2013 he retired as creative director of A BATHING APE. He then became creative director of UNIQLO's T-shirt collection "UT" from Spring/Summer 2014.