Tuesday night, hip-hop singer Pharrell Williams hosted a party in downtown New York for Japanese designer Nigo, creator of Bathing Ape’s limited run line of street gear.

Bathing Ape’ mixed sport and urban styles turned the label into the ultimate symbol of youthful cool in Japan’s street culture and made Nigo a hip-hop icon.

“Everybody don’t make the same things, some people make incredible things,” Pharrell told FWD. “It’s quality. Look at it.”

The NERD frontman proved his appreciation of quality, suing sportswear giant Reebok for $4 million. In December, Williams filed a complaint in New York court, on behalf of his footwear line BBC (Billionaire Boys Club), claiming that Reebok breached its contract and failed to meet BBC quality standards.

Among other fashion gurus were designer Futura, whose limited edition lines in Japan are followed and sought out obsessively, and Jacob the Jeweler, whose watches, bracelets, and chains have been flashed by everyone from Busta Rhymes to Jennifer Lopez.