A Bathing Ape

A Bathing Ape, or BAPE, emerged from Tokyo's Harajuku district, the hub of Japanese streetwear, founded by Nigo after his stint at Popeye magazine. The name, inspired by a "Planet of the Apes" marathon, symbolizes indulgence without restraint. Nigo maintained exclusivity, producing in limited quantities and distributing to friends, sparking hype and collaborations with brands like Pepsi and G-Shock. Despite passing trends, BAPE remains iconic in streetwear culture, spawning sub-labels and enduring collaborations, cementing its legendary status.