Pioneering Japanese streetwear brand known for its iconic Ape Head logo and signature graphic-led camouflage patterns.
ORIGIN
Japan
PRICE TIER
luxury
A Bathing Ape, or BAPE, was founded in the Ura-Harajuku district of Tokyo in 1993 by DJ and fashion editor-turned-entrepreneur Tomoaki “Nigo” Nagao. Inspired by the 1968 film *Planet of the Apes* and a Japanese phrase that ironically references over-indulgence, the brand quickly became a cornerstone of global streetwear. BAPE’s early strategy was built on scarcity; by producing limited quantities of its graphic t-shirts and hoodies, Nigo cultivated a culture of hype and exclusivity that defined the streetwear drop model. The brand’s visual identity is built on iconic designs like the Ape Head logo, the full-zip Shark Hoodie, the BAPE STA™ sneaker, and its signature cloud-like camouflage print.