Mr. Bathing Ape S/S 2011 | Inventory Editorial

Inventory showcases the Mr. Bathing Ape collection for Spring/Summer 2011 with this editorial shot by photographer Neil Bedford and styled by Craig Ford. Highlighting the label’s tailored suiting, the selected pieces include single-breasted, two-button jackets with dart detailing and a selection of neckties that feature the brand’s signature camouflage and ape motifs.



via Hypebeast

Neojaponisme: A Bathing Ape Takes a Final Bath

Just a few days ago, the street and fashion world was met with the shocking sale of over 90% of A Bathing Ape and its parent company NOWHERE to Hong Kong fashion conglomerate for minute sum of less than $3 million USD. In an article by Neojaponisme‘s W. David Marx, he parlays his own personal experience with A Bathing Ape and details its subsequent up and down success over the last 10 years which ultimately led to the sale of the brand. Many have speculated as to why the brand was sold for so little, however the Wall Street Journal painted a sobering picture in regards to how I.T is now in possession of NOWHERE’s ¥2.6 billion JPY (approximately $32 million USD) in debt. Looking back at Marx’s article, he speaks about the downfall of BAPE, it’s slight resurgence thanks to Pharrell Williams, and its relationship possessed between A Bathing Ape and the Chinese market. Ultimately, the sale of such a defining piece of Japanese fashion will leave many uneasy but then again, the Japanese economy has been slumping for some time. With ageism becoming a defining factor in its lack of progression on a corporate level, there seems to be larger issues than just the sale of a popular fashion brand. Excerpts can be seen below while the full article is seen here.

NIGO: NOW HERE in China

Here we have an interview featuring NIGO, brought to us all by Hypebeast.com.

Late last month, A Bathing Ape took another big step into China as NIGO was on hand to open his latest store in Beijing. Created in conjunction with I.T, the BAPE STORE Beijing location joins two previous retail locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong. With the disposable income of the China market growing at an alarming rate, the brand who has long been a commonplace within the regional scene will surely see a greater presence with each grown season.

While the fledging Mainland China market wasn’t conducive to BAPE’s expansion until recently, NIGO mentioned that the understanding of both design and subculture are now something the Mainland Chinese are able to connect with. We took the chance to discuss several different topics with the ambitious founder ranging from the beginnings of A Bathing Ape, its recent outwards expansion into diffusion labels, collaborations and the brand’s similarity to Ralph Lauren.

Interview: Edward Chiu
Text: Eugene Kan
Photography: Louis Lau & Edward Chiu

via Hypebeast

Mr. Bathing Ape by UNITED ARROWS Accessories

Mr. Bathing Ape is set to return to this weekend, starting with this set of accessories to complement the apparel featured in the brand’s fall/winter line for this year. For those unfamiliar, the line is well made and as formal slant whilst retaining a playful, sometimes even ironic edge. Worked by Japanese labels UNITED ARROWS and of course A Bathing Ape, the latest accessory line up includes a phone case, card holder and wallet that are each similarly styled. Navy and curry colorways are adopted across the line, as are the label’s now iconic moustache emblem. Available through select I.T locations from Saturday the Phone case and card holder are priced at $999 HKD (Approximately $130 USD), whilst the wallet is priced at $1399 HKD (Approximately $180 USD).

I.T Silvercord
Shop Nos. LG01 & LG16-17
Lower Ground Floor, Silvercord
30 Canton Road
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Hong Kong

via Hypebeast

honeyee: PAUL MITTLEMAN × NIGO

A comprehensive feature has just been published on honeyee involving the two creative minds behind the recently seen A BATHING APE x Stussy holiday collection. An in-depth interview picks the brain of both NIGO and Stussy’s creative director, Paul Mittleman who both share a profound mutual respect for one another. Additionally, the influence of Harajuku is prominently mentioned as the catalyst for creativity and innovation. The excerpts can be seen below.

Check out the interview below.
via Hypebeast

A Bathing Ape 2010 Fall/Winter Dog Store Collection

For the Bape-head who wants to spread the love to their pets too.
A Bathing Ape has ventured into the wonderful world of animal accessories and is gearing up to release a collection of doggie products. From hoodies to bow-ties, collars, bandanas and beyond, the majority of the fanciful line up is decorated in the Japanese label’s signature green camo print. The initial drop is currently scheduled for November 11th, 2010.

via Hypebeast

Sk8thing | Interview Magazine

Interview Magazine recently caught up with rarely interviewed designer Sk8thing, who over the past two decades has created endless designs for the likes of BAPE, Billionaire Boys Club/Ice Cream, NEIGHBORHOOD, WTAPS, UNDERCOVER, Bounty Hunter, and T-19, to name a few. Amongst other topics, we learn why Sk8thing doesn’t enjoy traveling, his take on the current fashion landscape, and his thoughts on finding new inspiration. Offered below is an excerpt of the interview.

SILLY BAPE THING Mini-Site Launch

TK fills us in on an upcoming project between SILLY THING and BAPE, which should make for quite an interesting joint venture. No specific information is available at the moment, but a new website for the initiative just went live here. Stay tuned!

via Hypebeast

Mr. Bathing Ape Lookbook | A/W 2010

A Bathing Ape continues to work with United Arrows on the Mr. Bathing Ape Collection, a more grown up line, mainly consisting of suits. For Fall 2010 the collection continues to grow also adding knitwear and more accessories to it. Today we can show you the Fall 2010 Lookbook of the collection, which will release in the coming months.

Ambush x A Bathing Ape: Kaiju Collection

Extroverts Verbal and Yoon’s label Ambush have joined forces with A Bathing Ape to produce this jacket, shoes and complementary accessories. Performing as Dr. Octagon, Kool Keith created the half-shark-half-alligator-man image and the Japanese designers have realised it. As with previous Bape jackets, this one is split in half – one half takes familiar shark form with the other taking a similarly styled (and fully ‘ambushed’) alligator, which is complete with an Ambush eye and scales over the body. Alongside the jacket, are these Baby Milo rings and a Bape head necklace; both have also been mutated, with Milo’s head being cut to reveal his brain, and with the Bape head being melted. The latter is available in a range of both single and two-tone colourways. As you can see, further accessories along the same theme have also been created, as has this new partially-woven shoe. Again available in prominent colourways, the lace up shoe appears clean, with only a small Bapesta logo on the side-heel. The Kaiju (Japanese for 'strange beast') mini collection will be available Spring 2010.

Definitely gonna have to try and cop one of the chains and I find the shark/gator hoodie interesting but I dunno if I can commit to copping that.

Check out some poster releases for the collab below:




via Hypebeast

Bape Store Singapore | Opening

Bape will open a Singapore flagship store in December. The store openes its doors on December 19th and of course they will release special t-shirts, commemorating the occasion. This will mark the opening of the 7th Bape store outside of Japan.

Bape Store Singapore
333A Orchard Road #02-02/03
Mandarin Gallery
Singapore 238897

via HighSnob

Nigo's Press Room Table

Nigo has debuted his new press room table today, designed, as always, by Wonderwall's Masamichi Katayama.

Badass.



via Nigo's Blog

Undercover x Bape Skull Sta | Last Orgy 2 x Bape Skull Sta

Bape collaborated twice on their Skull Sta sneaker. They worked with Undercover on the sneaker, as part of the Undercover Spring/Summer 2010 “Less but Better” Collection. Also they present a collaboration with Last Orgy 2, the brand that Nigo and Jun Takahashi from Undercover collaboratively work on. All three sneakers come in a vintage look, an effect that is not often used in the Bape footwear collection.

via HighSnob

TOKYO SUITE selected by NIGO

Park Hyatt Tokyo is celebrating its 15th anniversary. For the occasion the hotel worked with NIGO on a music album – TOKYO SUITE selected by NIGO. The compilation was inspired by his time spentin the suite on the 50th floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo. The album will be released exclusively at A Bathing Ape stores on November 25th.

via HighSnob

Bape 'Baby Milo' Earphones

Bape invades another area of the lifestyle segment and has released some new Baby Milo earphones. The earphones come in black and white and are now available in Bape stores.

via HighSnob

Bape Five Sta Sneaker | Fall 2009

Bape has released new colorways of their Five Sta Sneaker for Fall 2009. The New Balance 574 inspired sneaker comes in three simple colorways and should be available now at your local Bape flagship store.

Check out some closer looks below:



via HighSnob

Nowhere Flagship Store Hong Kong | Opening Announced

After some initial construction images of the new Nowhere Hong Kong store, the opening date and brand line-up has been announced. The store will carry Undercover, 40% Against Rights, Affa and of course Last Orgy 2, the brand by Nigo from A Bathing Ape and Jun Takahashi from Undercover. The store will open its doors on September 26th.

Nowhere Hong Kong
G/F., 28 Wyndham Street, Sea Bird House, Central, HK
852-2537-5521
11：00〜20：00
2009,9,26(SAT)

via HighSnob

Bape Shark Parka & Vinyl Toy

The much anticipated and widely previewed Bape vinyl toy has finally released in Japan. The figure comes along with the purchase of the PONR (Point of no Return) shark hoodie. Both the real hoodie and the hoodie that the accompanying Teriyaki Boy-like figure is wearing come in the same color. Overall they offer the package in 4 colorways.

Take a look at the color options [with accompanying toy] below:





I must say that it's nice to see the PONR design back in a way, although I'm sure most fans probably aren't too thrilled that they're going back to the well with these PONRs...oh well.

via HighSnob

BAPE® x KiD CuDi x Milo Tee

Alright, I'm a little late on this one as the release was last Friday, 9/11/09, during Vogue's 'Fashion's Night Out' event; but Bape has released a tee in conjunction with Kid Cudi, which is ONLY available at the Bape Flagship store in Soho.
The tee is/was available in all men's sizes (S-XXL) and only in black.

Now if they only did phone orders for this since the event is now over...
...of course that's assuming that there were any left after Friday. :\

via Bape US

RSVP Gallery

Offering merchandise that doubles as art, RSVP serves as a luxury boutique/art gallery that displays and sells pop art and design from around the world. Short for “Répondez s’il vous plaît” or please respond, the store’s name is an invitation for guests to not only visit the space, but participate, get inspired, and respond.

Bars of green neon line RSVP’s black painted ceiling while exposed brick walls display giant neon art pieces commissioned by RSVP – all channeling the store’s design concept of pairing pop art with luxury. Using minimalism and raw space, RSVP takes the look of a pop art gallery, with its merchandise as the featured pieces.

The RSVP decor is taken from The RSVP Private Collection of works from artists including Mark Newson, Stephen Sprouse, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami, Kaws and NoPattern. RSVP offers pieces from premium brands including Kaikai Kiki, Ambush, Dee & Ricky, Super, PLAY Comme des Garcons, Rizzoli, Original Fake, G-Shock, Incase and Boxed Water. RSVP also has a selection of rare, original, vintage items from Louis Vuitton, Chanel, A Bathing Ape, Nike and Levi Strauss & Co.

RSVP Gallery
1753 North Damen
Chicago, IL
t: 773-770-6666

Google Maps Link

More pics follow