A Bathing Ape

In 1993, lurking among the shadows of Tokyo’s ever-growing metropolis, multi-faceted creatives Tomoaki Nagao (AKA Nigo) and Hiroshi Fujiwara (founder of Fragment), joined forces to open the NOWHERE store in Uru-Hara. The store was split into two parts; the first, a retailer for punk-inspired label Undercover and, the second, somewhere for Nigo to sell a curated collection of Americana vintage and deadstock trainers. Nigo’s handpicks were not performing as well as expected, which led him to create A Bathing Ape (AKA BAPE) after being inspired by some Planet of the Apes films. Often considered the birthplace of Tokyo’s streetwear scene, Ura-Hara or “the hidden Harajuku”, was known for its countercultural energy and avant-garde style, and served as the perfect environment for the rise of BAPE. The brand quickly became renowned for its iconic ape head logo and bold camouflage alongside sneaker silhouettes such as the BAPE STA and SK8 STA. Today, it continues to draw inspiration from its Uru-Hara origins, blending luxury streetwear with urban culture. Shop an array of colourways below.