“A BATHING APE” the Ura-Harajuku Style

A BATHING APE is one of the most fashionable brands in Japan, which is categorised as the Ura-Harajuku style. The brand started as a small shop in Harajuku, and it is now attracting people in the world. The design is very unique and full of originality. In Japan, the Ura-Harajuku style was very popular among young people in 1990s, and the illustration of Ape which is a character of the brand was a symbol of being trendy for them. The casual, unique and oversized style clothing that will have you looking charismatic.

History of A BATHING APE

Jun TAKAHASHI, a designer of UNDERCOVER, and NIGO who was a founder of A BATHING APE opened a small speciality shop, NO WHERE, in Harajuku in 1993, and the brand history started. NIGO was selecting products to sell there, but it did not go well. During that time, SK8THING so called Shinichiro NAKAMURA who was in charge of graphic design of GOOD ENOUGH suggested NIGO to establish his original brand, and he decided to launch A BATHING APE. The Ura-Harajuku style started to be featured since 1996 and name recognition of A BATHING APE increased as well. In 1998, Takuya KIMURA who is one of the top stars in Japan wore A BATHING APE’s jacket in a television commercial, and since then, A BATHING APE became explosively popular among young people. As the demands always exceeded supplies, it was super hard to buy BAPE’s clothes when its popularity was overheated.

Japan to Overseas

A BATHING APE’s popularity does not stay in Japan. The street style fashion which is similar to the Ura-Harajuku style is a recent trend for young American people, and the fashion lovers post photos of BAPE’s clothes on their Instagram. Now, BAPE’s branch stores are in not only Japan, but also the United States, the United Kingdom and some Asian countries. The brand is literally loved all over the world.

Meaning of A BATHING APE

The official name of A BATHING APE is A BATHING APE IN LUKEWARM WATER, which means a monkey in lukewarm water. NIGO was inspired by a movie, “Plane of the Apes” and an ape is used as a trademark of the brand.

Who is NIGO?

Tomoaki NAGAO who is known as NIGO is a person who founded A BATHING APE and very famous as a global pioneer of street culture. He left A BATHING APE in 2013 and established HUMAN MADE whose concept is fusion of the past and the future. Many celebrities and artists love it, and he became a first Japanese person who was assigned to the director of KENZO which is a world-known luxury brand. In addition to this, he has so many job titles such as art director, music producer, interior designer, photographer and ceramic artist. Especially, the number of awards he received for the artists, sound sources, and movies which he produced shows his special talent of music.

What is the Ura-Harajuku Style?

Harajuku is the name of place in Tokyo where trends are being created, and the Ura-Harajuku style is also one of the trends which was born there. The fashion is a mixture of hip-hop, rock and punk and the silhouettes are basically oversized. Particularly, young boys were crazy about it, and there were many naughty boys who wore A BATHING APE’s clothes and hung out on the streets. Being baddish was considered as fashionable for those who love the Ura-Harajuku style. For this reason, it is said that staff in the Ura-Harajuku shops are impolite and little rough. Because they wanted to appeal that they wore the Ura-Harajuku fashion, it was important for them that the clothes had big symbols in front to make other people know that they were wearing BAPE’s clothes.

Collaborations

The collaborations with famous brands are also one of the features of A BATHING APE. BAPE has collaborated with so many brands such as Disney, Nintendo DS and UNITED ARROWS. BAPE goes beyond the bounds of a fashion brand.

Magazine

A BATHING APE started to publish magazines since 2005 via TAKARAJIMASHA, and the free gifts of them are very popular for the quality.

A BATHING APE Clothes

As mentioned above, A BATHING APE is the most central brand for the Ura-Harajuku style. So, you should check BAPE’s items if you are interested in the Ura-Harajuku style. Although the price setting is a bit more expensive than other brands, the clothes are worth buying.

Useful Shirts and Blouses

The design of shirts and blouses are simpler than other tops, but they are still unique and attracting people.

Amazing Tops

If you want to try the Ura-Harajuku style, you cannot miss A BATHING APE’s tops. The Ape’s print makes your style more fashionable. The great thing about A BATHING APE’s tops is that there are a lot of designs from simple to glitzy. A BATHING APE offers wide range of variety of sweats and T-shirts that will go perfectly with your clothes already have. The simple clothes would be more useful if you are a beginner of the Ura-Harajuku style.

Luxury Jackets

Once you wear the BAPE’s jackets, you will be addicted to the its charms.

Coats

Each coat is very well designed and presented, making you more stylish even if it is freezing weather.

Beautiful Skirts

There are a lot of designs for skirts. They can be used in a daily life, and the atmosphere would be completely different depending on what you will wear on top.

Accessories

A BATHING APE offers a variety of cool and unique accessories to spice up your fashion. The items are must buy.

Fashionable Watches

The BAPE’s watches’ prices are reasonable compared to other items.

Useful Bags

A BATHING APE also offers various kind of bags including backpacks, shoulder bags and shopping bags. Although a little expensive, the bags look outstanding. If you have a A BATHING APE’s shopping bag, you look stylish even though you do not dress up for grocery shopping.