A Bathing Ape: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Japanese fashion brand}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox company |
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| name = A Bathing Ape |
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| logo = [[File:Bape.png]] |
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| logo_size = 150px |
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|company_type = Private |
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| type = [[Subsidiary]] |
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|foundation = 1993 |
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| industry = [[Fashion]] |
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| genre = [[Streetwear]] |
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| foundation = {{Start date and age|1993}} in<br>[[Ura-Harajuku]], [[Shibuya]], [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]] |
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| founder = [[Nigo]] |
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|industry = Clothing |
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| location_city = [[Tokyo]] |
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| location_country = [[Japan]] |
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| owner = [[I.T|I.T Group]] |
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}} |
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[[File:Bape Store Harajuku 2015.jpg|thumb|250px|Bape Store [[Harajuku]], [[Tokyo]]]] |
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[[File:A_Bathing_Ape_Central_Hong_Kong.jpg|thumb|250px|BAPE store deployed in [[Hong Kong]] (2006-2011)]] |
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{{Nihongo|'''A Bathing Ape'''|ア・ベイシング・エイプ|A beishingu eipu|lead=yes}}, also known as '''BAPE''', is a Japanese fashion [[brand]] founded by [[Nigo]] (Tomoaki Nagao) in [[Ura-Harajuku]] in 1993.<ref name="nigo departure">{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=A Bathing Ape owner exploring dual track exit plan |url=https://community.ionanalytics.com/a-bathing-ape-owner-exploring-dual-track-exit-plan |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=ION Analytics Community |language=en}}</ref><ref name="TheHipHopIcon">[http://thehiphopicon.com/fashion.htm Breaking Down Bapes] TheHipHopIcon.com, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007</ref> The brand specializes in men's, women's and children's lifestyle and street wear, running 19 stores in [[Japan]], including Bape Stores, Bape Pirate Stores, Bape Kids Stores, Bapexclusive [[Aoyama, Tokyo|Aoyama]], and Bapexclusive [[Kyoto]]. The Kyoto store also includes Bape Gallery, a space used for various events and art shows sponsored by Bape. The brand also has stores in [[Hong Kong]], [[Taipei]], [[Beijing]], and elsewhere.<ref name="bape.com">[http://www.bapeonline.com/store-locator.html] bape.com, 2022. Retrieved Feb 24, 2022</ref> |
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The company previously operated (Busy Work Shop), Bape Cuts hair salon, Bape Café, BABY MILO and The cay Soldier. Nigo also founded the secondary lines '''AAPE''' (by A Bathing Ape) and '''BAPY''' (Busy Working Lady). In 2011, the company was sold to Hong Kong fashion conglomerate [[I.T]] Group for about $2.8 million. Nigo left the brand in 2013.<ref name="nigo departure" /> |
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'''A Bathing Ape''' (or '''BAPE''') is a [[Japan]]ese [[clothing]] company founded by [[Nigo|Tomoaki "Nigo" Nagao]] in 1993.<ref name="TheHipHopIcon">[http://thehiphopicon.com/fashion.htm Breaking Down Bapes] TheHipHopIcon.com, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007</ref> The company specializes in street wear, operating stores in [[Japan]], including BAPE, BAPE Store, Foot Soldier and the Bape Exclusive store (located in [[Aoyama]], [[Tokyo]]). The company also operates Bape Cuts hair salon, Bape Café and gallery, Bape Sounds records. There are also stores located in [[Hong Kong]], [[London]], [[New York]], [[Taipei]] and [[Los Angeles]]. Nigo also founded the women's clothing lines "APEE", and "BAPY", the female "couture" clothing line. |
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==History== |
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Nigo, founder |
[[Nigo]], founder, former owner, and [[Teriyaki Boyz]] member, cites his mother and father, who were a nurse and a billboard maker, respectively, as major influences in the development of his character, though because they both worked, he spent a lot of time alone with toys.<ref name="talkasia">[http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/02/28/talkasia.nigo.script/index.html CNN TalkAsia] Transcript 28 February 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2007.</ref> He also credits DJ/fashion guru [[Hiroshi Fujiwara]] as his business model. His nickname means "number two" in Japanese; the MD of Astoarobot, the fashion store, coined the moniker when he noted the physical resemblance to Fujiwara.<ref name=pig>[http://pigmag.com/it/2005/05/24/nigo-english/ Nigo interview] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070712160357/http://pigmag.com/it/2005/05/24/nigo-english/ |date=July 12, 2007 }} Pig Mag 24 May 2005. Retrieved 21 June 2007.</ref> Nigo cites his early influences as [[Elvis Presley|Elvis]], [[The Beatles]] and [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] acts such as [[Beastie Boys]] and [[Run-DMC]].<ref name="talkasia" /> |
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After studying fashion editing at college, he worked as an editor and a stylist for ''Popeye'' magazine. |
After studying fashion editing at Bunka Fashion college, he worked as an editor and a stylist for [[Popeye (magazine)|''Popeye'' magazine]]. After borrowing four million yen from an acquaintance, who also let him use his shop,<ref name="talkasia" /> he opened "Nowhere", his first store, along with [[Jun Takahashi]] of Undercover, on April 1, 1993, in [[Ura-Harajuku]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hypebeast.com/2009/9/interview-nigo-jun-takahashi|title=NIGO® & Jun Takahashi: NOWHERE|website=HYPEBEAST|date=28 September 2009 |access-date=2019-08-01}}</ref> Deciding to start his own brand, he named it after the 1968 film ''[[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|Planet of the Apes]]''. According to Nigo, the name "BAPE" is a reference to "A Bathing Ape in Lukewarm Water". Japanese people typically have daily baths in water at temperatures above {{convert|40|C}}. As such, to bathe in lukewarm water is to complacently overindulge as it implies you have stayed in the bath for so long the water has become cold. This is an ironic reference to the lazy opulence of the younger generation of Japanese, the brand's own customers.<ref name="talkasia" /> To promote the brand he gave T-shirts to the musician [[Cornelius (musician)|Cornelius]] and Japanese hip-hop group [[Scha Dara Parr]] who wore them when performing. For two years he produced 30 to 50 shirts a week, selling half and giving half to friends. In 1997, Nigo released his debut album ''Ape Sounds'' under [[Mo'Wax]], with DJ/Producer [[James Lavelle]] of [[Unkle|UNKLE]].<ref name="pig" /> Nigo is also co-owner and head designer of [[Pharrell Williams]]' clothes brands [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing)|Billionaire Boys Club]] and Ice Cream.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bet.com/news/fashion-and-beauty/photos/2010/11/lifestylephotosrecognizefreshbbc.photo1.html#flipbook|title=Recognize Fresh! Billionaire Boys Club|publisher=BET|access-date=2011-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904184145/http://www.bet.com/news/fashion-and-beauty/photos/2010/11/lifestylephotosrecognizefreshbbc.photo1.html#flipbook|archive-date=2016-09-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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In 1997, Nigo released his debut album 'Ape Sounds' under [[Mo'Wax]], with DJ/Producer [[James Lavelle]] of [[UNKLE]]. |
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<ref name="pig"/> |
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In January 2005, Nigo and [[Pharrell]] launched the first "Bathing Ape" store in New York. The official name, according to the salespeople at the store, is "Bathing Ape in Lukewarm Water."<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1495796/20050112/story.jhtml?headlines=true Kanye West, Pharrell, Mos Def Celebrate A Designer With Sole] MTV.com Jan 12, 2005. Retrieved 21 June 2007.</ref> Nigo is also co-owner and head designer of Williams' [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing)|Billionaire Boys Club]].<ref>[http://www.bet.com/ForMen/Affleck+and+Trump+lead+a+Bape+Invasion+on+NYC.htm Affleck and Trump lead a Bape Invasion on NYC] BET.com Jan 14, 2005. Retrieved 21 June, 2007.</ref> In 2006, Nigo and N-Kei Enzaki started a record company, Ape Sounds, with help from [[James Lavelle]], a UK DJ and owner of the [[Mo' Wax]] label. He serves as a producer and director for his CDs, blending Western hip-hop with Asian sounds.<ref name="metropolis"/> |
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On February 1, 2011, it was announced that A Bathing Ape had been sold to [[Hong Kong]] fashion conglomerate [[I.T]] Group. I.T purchased a 90.27% stake in A Bathing Ape. In a transaction encompassing [[HK$]]21,850,000 (approx. [[US$]]2.8 million), I.T purchased a total of 668 shares. Exact details regarding the creative future and expansion of A Bathing Ape are unknown; however, A Bathing Ape founder Nigo remained on board as the Creative Director for the next two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hypebeast.com/2011/02/i-t-hong-kong-purchase-a-90-financial-stake-in-a-bathing-ape/|title=I.T Hong Kong Purchase a 90% Financial Stake in A Bathing Ape|website=HYPEBEAST|date=February 2011 }}</ref> |
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Celebrities known to wear BAPE include [[Pharrell]], [[T.I.]], [[Lil' Wayne]], [[Teriyaki Boys]], [[Kanye West]], [[Omarion]], [[Clipse]] and many others. ref>[http://www.kansaiscene.com/2003_10/html/style.shtml Kansai Scene Magazine :: Style<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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Bape is a popular [[Japanese street fashion]] brand and with many celebrities appearing in magazines and catalogs wearing Bape's clothing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansaiscene.com/2003_10/html/style.shtml |work=Kansai Scene Magazine |title=Style: Planet of a Bathing Ape |date=October 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714205402/http://www.kansaiscene.com/2003_10/html/style.shtml |archive-date=July 14, 2008 }}</ref> |
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==Stores== |
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Store locations: |
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*[[New York City]] |
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*[[Los Angeles]] |
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*[[London]] |
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*[[Taipei]] |
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*[[Hong Kong]] |
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*[[Japan]] (18) |
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== |
==Design== |
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Bape frequently collaborates with other brands and features characters from popular media such as [[SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|SpongeBob SquarePants]], [[Marvel Comics|Marvel]] comics characters, [[Nintendo]], [[DC Comics]], and [[Hello Kitty]] and the [[Sanrio]] Family.{{cn|date=December 2024}} These designs are used throughout the Bathing Ape range, on goodies, accessories, hoodies, jackets, T-shirts and shoes. A Bathing Ape has also collaborated with many other famous brands, including [[Pepsi]], [[Coca-Cola]], and [[Rimowa]],{{cn|date=December 2024}} as well as artists such as [[Biggie Smalls]], [[Wiz Khalifa]], and the [[Beastie Boys]].{{cn|date=December 2024}} |
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A Bathing Ape clothing is well recognized around the world due to its flashy design and original art, and expensive material. It often uses characters from popular media such as SpongeBob, Spiderman and Batman, aswell as original art such as Bape Monkeys, Baby Milo Monkey, Fast Food, The star Bapesta and Camo. These patterns are used throughout the Bathing Ape range, on hoodies, t-shirts, Bapesta shoes and trousers. |
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In late 2018, the firm announced that it will produce a tie-in fashion line based on the [[Disney]] animated film ''[[Ralph Breaks the Internet]]'', marking this as the first time BAPE has directly partnered with Disney.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Higgins |first1=Keenan |title=DISNEY & BAPE COME TOGETHER FOR A 'RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET' COLLAB |url=http://thesource.com/2018/11/30/bape-disney-ralph-breaks-the-internet-collaboration/ |website=TheSource |access-date=5 December 2018 |date=30 November 2018}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* |
* {{Official website|http://www.bape.com}} |
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*[http://www.nigoldeneye.com/ Nigoldeneye website - Nigo's BAPE TV show with MTV Japan] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bathing Ape, A}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bathing Ape, A}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Clothing companies established in 1993]] |
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[[Category:Retail companies established in 1993]] |
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[[Category:Clothing brands of Japan]] |
[[Category:Clothing brands of Japan]] |
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[[Category:Clothing companies of Japan]] |
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[[Category:Clothing retailers of Japan]] |
[[Category:Clothing retailers of Japan]] |
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[[Category:2000s fashion]] |
[[Category:2000s fashion]] |
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[[Category:Hip |
[[Category:Hip-hop fashion]] |
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[[Category:Clothing companies of Hong Kong]] |
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[[Category:1993 establishments in Japan]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:45, 25 December 2024
Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Fashion |
Genre | Streetwear |
Founded | 1993 Ura-Harajuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan | in
Founder | Nigo |
Headquarters | , |
Owner | I.T Group |
Website | bape |
A Bathing Ape (Japanese: ア・ベイシング・エイプ, Hepburn: A beishingu eipu), also known as BAPE, is a Japanese fashion brand founded by Nigo (Tomoaki Nagao) in Ura-Harajuku in 1993.[1][2] The brand specializes in men's, women's and children's lifestyle and street wear, running 19 stores in Japan, including Bape Stores, Bape Pirate Stores, Bape Kids Stores, Bapexclusive Aoyama, and Bapexclusive Kyoto. The Kyoto store also includes Bape Gallery, a space used for various events and art shows sponsored by Bape. The brand also has stores in Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, and elsewhere.[3]
The company previously operated (Busy Work Shop), Bape Cuts hair salon, Bape Café, BABY MILO and The cay Soldier. Nigo also founded the secondary lines AAPE (by A Bathing Ape) and BAPY (Busy Working Lady). In 2011, the company was sold to Hong Kong fashion conglomerate I.T Group for about $2.8 million. Nigo left the brand in 2013.[1]
History
[edit]Nigo, founder, former owner, and Teriyaki Boyz member, cites his mother and father, who were a nurse and a billboard maker, respectively, as major influences in the development of his character, though because they both worked, he spent a lot of time alone with toys.[4] He also credits DJ/fashion guru Hiroshi Fujiwara as his business model. His nickname means "number two" in Japanese; the MD of Astoarobot, the fashion store, coined the moniker when he noted the physical resemblance to Fujiwara.[5] Nigo cites his early influences as Elvis, The Beatles and hip-hop acts such as Beastie Boys and Run-DMC.[4]
After studying fashion editing at Bunka Fashion college, he worked as an editor and a stylist for Popeye magazine. After borrowing four million yen from an acquaintance, who also let him use his shop,[4] he opened "Nowhere", his first store, along with Jun Takahashi of Undercover, on April 1, 1993, in Ura-Harajuku.[6] Deciding to start his own brand, he named it after the 1968 film Planet of the Apes. According to Nigo, the name "BAPE" is a reference to "A Bathing Ape in Lukewarm Water". Japanese people typically have daily baths in water at temperatures above 40 °C (104 °F). As such, to bathe in lukewarm water is to complacently overindulge as it implies you have stayed in the bath for so long the water has become cold. This is an ironic reference to the lazy opulence of the younger generation of Japanese, the brand's own customers.[4] To promote the brand he gave T-shirts to the musician Cornelius and Japanese hip-hop group Scha Dara Parr who wore them when performing. For two years he produced 30 to 50 shirts a week, selling half and giving half to friends. In 1997, Nigo released his debut album Ape Sounds under Mo'Wax, with DJ/Producer James Lavelle of UNKLE.[5] Nigo is also co-owner and head designer of Pharrell Williams' clothes brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream.[7]
On February 1, 2011, it was announced that A Bathing Ape had been sold to Hong Kong fashion conglomerate I.T Group. I.T purchased a 90.27% stake in A Bathing Ape. In a transaction encompassing HK$21,850,000 (approx. US$2.8 million), I.T purchased a total of 668 shares. Exact details regarding the creative future and expansion of A Bathing Ape are unknown; however, A Bathing Ape founder Nigo remained on board as the Creative Director for the next two years.[8]
Bape is a popular Japanese street fashion brand and with many celebrities appearing in magazines and catalogs wearing Bape's clothing.[9]
Design
[edit]Bape frequently collaborates with other brands and features characters from popular media such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Marvel comics characters, Nintendo, DC Comics, and Hello Kitty and the Sanrio Family.[citation needed] These designs are used throughout the Bathing Ape range, on goodies, accessories, hoodies, jackets, T-shirts and shoes. A Bathing Ape has also collaborated with many other famous brands, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Rimowa,[citation needed] as well as artists such as Biggie Smalls, Wiz Khalifa, and the Beastie Boys.[citation needed]
In late 2018, the firm announced that it will produce a tie-in fashion line based on the Disney animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet, marking this as the first time BAPE has directly partnered with Disney.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "A Bathing Ape owner exploring dual track exit plan". ION Analytics Community. 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-04-17.
- ^ Breaking Down Bapes TheHipHopIcon.com, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2007
- ^ [1] bape.com, 2022. Retrieved Feb 24, 2022
- ^ a b c d CNN TalkAsia Transcript 28 February 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2007.
- ^ a b Nigo interview Archived July 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Pig Mag 24 May 2005. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
- ^ "NIGO® & Jun Takahashi: NOWHERE". HYPEBEAST. 28 September 2009. Retrieved 2019-08-01.
- ^ "Recognize Fresh! Billionaire Boys Club". BET. Archived from the original on 2016-09-04. Retrieved 2011-04-12.
- ^ "I.T Hong Kong Purchase a 90% Financial Stake in A Bathing Ape". HYPEBEAST. February 2011.
- ^ "Style: Planet of a Bathing Ape". Kansai Scene Magazine. October 2003. Archived from the original on July 14, 2008.
- ^ Higgins, Keenan (30 November 2018). "DISNEY & BAPE COME TOGETHER FOR A 'RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET' COLLAB". TheSource. Retrieved 5 December 2018.