A Bathing Ape (BAPE)

A Bathing Ape (ア・ベイシング・エイプ), universally known as BAPE, is a Japanese streetwear label founded by designer Nigo (Tomoaki Nagao) in Ura-Harajuku, Tokyo, in 1993. The name is a reference to the Planet of the Apes franchise and the Japanese idiom "a bathing ape in lukewarm water" -- a metaphor for complacency that Nigo deliberately invoked as a comment on consumer culture. BAPE became the defining brand of early 2000s streetwear. Its signature camo print, Shark Hoodie, and the Bapesta sneaker (a deliberate riff on Nike's Air Force 1) attracted a cult following that spanned Tokyo, New York, and London. Pharrell Williams and Kanye West were among the brand's most visible advocates during this era, cementing BAPE as a status symbol in both hip-hop and K-pop circles. In 2011, Nigo sold a majority stake in the brand to Hong Kong company I.T Group. Despite the transition, BAPE continued expanding globally, operating retail stores across Asia, Europe, and North America. The brand maintains sub-labels including BABY MILO, A Bathing Ape Kids, and BAPE Black. In K-entertainment, BAPE's Dosan Flagship store in Seoul's Gangnam district has become a hub for idol endorsements and pop-up collaborations. Artists including ENHYPEN's Jungwon and multiple fourth-generation idols have appeared in BAPE campaigns, reflecting the brand's sustained relevance in Korean youth culture. BAPE's bold graphics, limited drops, and premium pricing position it firmly in the luxury streetwear tier alongside Supreme and Off-White.