A Bathing Ape, known commonly as BAPE, is a Japanese streetwear brand founded by Tomoaki "Nigo" Nagao in 1993. Starting as a small store selling exclusive T-shirts and sweatshirts in Harajuku, Tokyo, BAPE quickly gained international popularity for its ribbed-knit and bold design aesthetic, notably the 'BAPE Camo' pattern and 'APE Head' logo. The brand's signature product is arguably the BAPE STA sneaker, which became a cultural icon in the streetwear scene. Nigo's ability to blend hip-hop with with ribbed-knit, often limited-edition designs set BAPE apart, while collaborations with brands and artists such as Pepsi, adidas, and Pharrell Williams have further solidified its reputation as a pioneer in the streetwear industry.
