NIGO Taps Nike for "Last Orgy 2" Streetwear History Lesson That Includes a Rebuilt Air Force 1

Tomoaki Nagao (長尾 智明)—better known across the globe as NIGO (ニゴー)—has gone down as one of the most-important taste-makers of the last 35 years. His A BATHING APE® venture continues to be popular decades later, despite his split from the company in the early 2010s. Human Made has also acquired a cult-like fan base over the last 16 years, though it relies on much tamer presentations than its predecessor. Both of these and numerous other projects earned NIGO the moniker of "The General" for his ability to lead with vision. And while important, they were all preceded by one idea steeped in streetwear history and set to be revisited by a NIKE, Inc. collaboration.

That project is the "Last Orgy 2" column that ran from 1991-94 in Japanese magazines Takarajima (宝島) and asAyan.

If you're wondering what was discussed in a column titled "Last Orgy 2," you're not alone. For the uninformed, the column was written by NIGO and Jun Takahashi (高橋 盾) of UNDERCOVER fame. Both of them shared some of their favorite products of the moments—from sneakers to apparel—while also discussing music, interests, and random life musings. Any item mentioned in "Last Orgy 2" would instantly become the items of the moment, leading to NIGO and Takahashi becoming culture leaders in Japan during the '90s.

Their column, however, was preceded by the "Last Orgy" column led by Hiroshi Fujiwara (藤原ヒロシ) and Kan Takagi (高木完) for Takarajima. The duo—known in Japan as Tinnie Punx or Tiny Panx—set the stage for curated moodboards well-before Instagram was a thing. Fujiwara and Takagi discussed everything from film to fashion. They were tapped in with subcultures in Tokyo before the city's street-style became known globally. The "Last Orgy" title for their column came from the name of a 1988 single they put out as Tinnie Punx.

With Fujiwara and Takagi shifting their focus to different ventures, they bestowed the "Last Orgy" column idea to NIGO and Takahashi. The new generation's first attempt at the concept was titled "AZ," but they eventually changed it to "Last Orgy 2"—in part because NIGO, meaning "number two," was given that moniker due to his striking resemblance to Fujiwara. Furthermore, this allowed the "students" to better commemorate their predecessors.

NIGO and Takahashi last entertained their column from the '90s in 2021 via a special project with GQ Japan. Dubbed "Last Orgy 2.1," the revisited concept brought about apparel developed in part with artist VERDY of Girls Don't Cry fame.

NIGO's "Last Orgy 2" collaboration with Nike, however, might be the most important and representative of the column's original run.

It's important to note that official communication from NIKE, Inc. has referred to the project simply as "LO2" instead of "Last Orgy 2." Additionally, Takahashi is categorized as a "Nike partner" despite him not working with the Swoosh in several years—be it through UNDERCOVER or GYAKUSOU.

Nike's "LO2" project marks the first time NIGO has publicly, officially worked on the Air Force 1 Low, a silhouette that laid the foundation for the ever-popular BAPE STA™ in the early 2000s. As such, NIGO's "Last Orgy 2" release arrives with the same shape as AF-1 styles from 2001, showcasing The General's attention to detail.

"As far as I know, the Air Force 1 is one of only a few silhouettes in the world that can truly be called a timeless classic," shared NIGO in a press release for the project. "I never imagined in my dreams that one day I would be able to express my own style through the Air Force 1."

The Air Force 1 features "LO2" and "NIGO AIR" branding and a patent leather upper that borrows the exact "Sail/Loyal Blue" colors of the sign outside of NIGO and Takahashi's famous NOWHERE boutique, which operated from 1993-2000. The sneakers are accompanied by a "Last Orgy 2" Coaches Jacket, "LO2 Tee," and "Speaker Character plushie.

Additional Air Force 1s and other items are expected to release across multiple seasons. Future product are promised to "ddraw upon [NIGO's] friends and history, and be brought to life on a multi-continent...journey."

The first "Last Orgy 2" Air Force 1 and accompanying apparel collection releases on Friday, May 1, exclusively at the Design Museum in London (224-238 Kensington High St). The launch coincides with the opening of the retrospective exhibition, NIGO: From Japan with Love. A wider launch takes place on Saturday, May 2, via humanmade.jp and UNDERCOVER stores.

No word has been shared about a Nike SNKRS drop for the collection. Stay tuned for any update.

For more footwear news from the Swoosh conglomerate, check out the latest in Air Max releases.