Bape is streetwear. Bape is actually called "A Bathing Ape" and was founded in 1993 by Tomoaki Nagao (Nigo). Bape was one of the first companies to create a fire for streetwear and lifestyle. Nigo had a big influence on the fashion world that can still be seen today. Bape was also one of the first to collaborate two large brands, namely with Adidas. Bape was also one of the first to offer her clothes limited. Many manufacturers have taken over this concept these days because it has proven itself.
There are now many streetwear brands. But at the time, Bape was the first brand to successfully pursue this concept. It was only in the mid -2000 years that Bape had his big appearance in America.
Where are nigos roots?
In the Japanese streetwear scene you knew each other. So Nigo was also known and had many friends in the area. He always stated his origin in the Ura-Harajuka scene. Every designer was busy with his own projects. But someone needed help, everyone was always there for the other.
In Tokyo there is a district called Harajuka. Ura-Harajuka means something like "The hidden Harajuka". The scene originated in the early 90s. There, American style combined with the fashion there in many different shops.
Very few had a name, but all of the street clothing in different stylistic directions. Due to his collaboration with various designers, Nigo was able to gain a lot of experience and so in 1993 Bape.
What is the meaning of BAPE?
Bape is based on Nigo's preference for the film "Planet of the monkey". This is based on the well -known Japanese saying that "a bathroom monkey sits in the lukewarm water". This was also attributed to mankind, which enjoyed their luxury more and more. So this should be an allusion to the youth, which developed differently than was still the case in his time.
How did Bape develop his hype?
His first shop at the time was called "Nowhere". He led a colorful mix of Japanese and American clothes there and this soon became his trademark. He was offered work with other labels and finally became an absolute insider tip in Japan over time. The hype around Bape developed through mouth-to-mouth propaganda. He had no money for advertising.
A clever move by Nigo
Nigo was far ahead of his time. So he only offered his clothes in a limited number of pieces. But he didn't do it to artificially cut the goods, but because he had no money to have more produced. At the beginning, Nigo managed to have just 50 of his Bape T-shirts printed. However, he was also someone who liked it if not everyone ran around in the same clothes. So the whole thing still had a personal, positive side effect.
The decision
In 1998 Nigo made a decision. To date, there has been a clothing in 40 shops. From one day to the next, he stopped sales in the stores. He opened a shop in Tokyo where Bape's clothing should be available from now on. But instead of harming himself, he became more and more successful. Bape became a hype through scarce conditions and public attention. The latter has increased further and further over the years.
The further course of Bape
Bape became more and more famous and better known. The company reached the height in the late 90s and early 2000s. Many famous personalities wore the Bape clothes and so in 2005 a joint brand was created, "Billionaire Boys Club & Ice Cream".
Nigo sold Bape in 2011 because he had high debts. The new buyer changed the procedure at BAPE and thus the limitation was lifted. Now everyone gets the brand that you want in many different shops or in the official Bape online shop.
