20 Things You Didn’t Know about BAPE Monkey

With its iconic BAPE Hoodie, BAPE, or Bape Ape, is a Japanese streetwear brand that has gained worldwide acclaim. Founded in 1993 by Nigo, BAPE has since risen to become one of the most sought-after labels in the world of urban fashion. However, even the biggest fans of BAPE might not be aware of these twenty interesting facts about BAPE! It may surprise you to learn that BAPE has a brick-and-mortar store just outside of Tokyo, but did you know that? These stores are famously known as BAPELAND and specialize in limited edition designs that rarely reach people outside of Japan. In addition to its stores, BAPE is also proud partner of KITH—online retailer, founded by Designer Ronnie Fieg—which allows customers from around the world access to BAPE goods without having to travel overseas. If you’re looking to get your hands on some BAPE gear anytime soon, remember this―BAPI forever!

1. BAPE was founded by Nigo in 1993

Bape Ape, is a Japanese streetwear brand that has gained worldwide acclaim. Founded in 1993 by Nigo. The BAPE brand is the acronym for “A Bathing Ape” and has grown to become one of the leading streetwear brands in the world today. Over the past two decades, BAPE’s edgy clothing designs and innovative approach to fashion have been spotted on celebrities, athletes, and influencers alike due to its edgy designs and innovative approach to fashion. The BAPE brand will continue to set trends in 2020 with items such as hoodies still remaining a staple part of the BAPE wardrobe in 2020.

2. BAPE is an unusual acronym

There is an acronym called BAPE that you may not be familiar with. BAPE is an acronym that stands for A Bathing Ape, and it is a brand of streetwear that originated in Japan. This company is famous for its iconic BAPE hoodie, which first became popular in the early 2000s as soon as it came out. Having become a symbol of high fashion around the world, BAPE hoodies are now beloved by people all over the world. The BAPE brand has been known to be worn by many famous celebrities over the years, making it a brand that is easily recognizable and iconic that still sets trends even today.

3. The brand has a long and double meaning

There is no doubt that BAPE Hoodies are the pinnacle of fashion and streetwear. ‘BAPE’ stands for ‘A Bathing Ape’ and it has become a cultural symbol in the modern world as it stands for ‘A Bathing Ape’. The BAPE name is also derived from a Japanese saying that translates to, ‘dressing shabbily, but having an air of nobility’, a double meaning that can be seen when BAPE Hoodies are worn, a meaning that can be seen when these very hoodies are worn. The brand has become a symbol of an attitude that goes far beyond mere fashion – it represents the courage to be yourself, authenticity, and self-expression, and all of this transcends mere fashion. BAPE is more than a hoodie – it’s an idea.

4. BAPE started out as an underground brand

As a Japanese streetwear brand that started as an underground movement, BAPE Hoodie is one of the most popular streetwear brands out there. BAPE hoodies have become iconic in the fashion world, and they have remained a staple of street fashion since BAPE’s inception in 1993. There are many BAPE hoodies that feature camouflage patterns and BAPE logos on the sleeves, making them instantly recognizable and coveted by fashion lovers all over the world, making them one of the most coveted items in the world today. It is without a doubt that BAPE Shark Hoodie has built its legacy on being daring and forward-thinking – two qualities that the brand still maintains today – so as the brand has transitioned from an underground brand into one of global prominence.

5. Pharrell Williams increased BAPE to the United States

BAPE had remained largely a brand that was popular and distributed in Japan until 2003. Nigo and Pharrell Williams became friends and the two collaborated to introduce the brand to the United States. With Pharrell backing the brand, it became a thing in the hip-hop scene.

6. Nigo needed coaxing to lift the limits on the export of BAPE

Most people are not aware of the fact that Nigo was initially resistant to marketing the brand in America. Before his association with Pharrell, he had the notion that any marketing to the United States would create a “mass market” atmosphere and this just wasn’t something that he had envisioned for the brand. Nigo lifted the limits that had previously been placed on the brand and for a brief period of time, the brand experienced great success, but this would only continue for a few short years.

7. Raising the supply limits on BAPE had a negative effect on demand

Nigo’s original strategy was working very well for BAPE. They kept the supplies low and there was always a decent demand for them. When supplies were increased, this is when they began to lose steam. The company experienced a devaluation because of a reduction in the demand.

8. Nigo isn’t the founder’s real name

Nigo’s name is really Tomoaki Nagao. He was born in Maebashi, Japan in 1970. He’s led an interesting life that includes designing for Human Made and Billionaire Boys Club brands. He also has an MTV Japan show, is the owner of a record label and has been DJ for the Teriyaki boys.

9. BAPE went from being ultra-cool to the butt of a joke

The brand had a heyday in 2006. It became really popular among rappers. The thing about it that drew them in was the hoodies with their loud patterns and the printed jeans. The sneaker colorways were also unique for their time, but the brand didn’t evolve and found itself stuck in a time warp and it became highly dated as streetwear. The lack of freshness in design and failure to keep up with the changing trends in style caused it to become severely dated. It wasn’t a situation that led to nostalgia as much as it became a stagnation and people wearing the brand stood out as being somewhat dated and behind the times. It was comparable to wearing last year’s fashion again to a new and trendy event.

10. Nigo sold BAPE in 2011

The BAPE brand is marketed under the parent company Nowhere Co. Nigo sold a 90% share of Nowhere Co in 2011. This transferred the controlling interest to the new owners. It was reported that the total amount of the sale for the brand was $2.8 million. He agreed to stay on as the principal designer of the brand for the new owners for a minimum of two years.

11. The company is Japanese but that’s not where it’s made

Even though Nowhere Co and the BAPE Shark Hoodie is Japanese, most of the products are actually manufactured in China. Of course, this is where the company can get the labor for a rate that they consider to be reasonable.

12. BAPE clothing is expensive

Many people have wondered why BAPE streetwear is so expensive? It’s not considered to be an exceptional label in Japan, the country of its origin and the quality of the products are good, although nothing out of the ordinary. One of the reasons why its so expensive is because of all the hype surrounding it and the marking. There are a few BAPE items that sell out quickly and they’re hard to keep in stock. The high demand is what allows the brand to raise the price and as long as people are willing to pay the price it’s going to stay high.

13. There are a lot of BAPE knock-offs out there

As with most expensive brands, counterfeiters are out there trying to make a buck by passing off copies as the real thing. You have to be careful and know your products so you don’t get suckered. When you compare a knockoff with the genuine article, there will be differences. If you’re going to pay $300 for a pair of sneakers that have been made in China you want to make sure that you’re getting the genuine article before you put the money down.

14. Camo is their thing nowadays

Regardless of whether you’re a fan of the BAPE Hoodie or otherwise, their signature camouflage is brilliant. This is the one classic design that is timeless and it seems that there will always be a demand for it. It’s not the loud pattern that caused it to date itself in the mid-2000s. Whether you’re into wearing camo or not, there will always be a demand for it and it’s one constant within the brand that has not gone out of style.

15. BAPE is a fun brand

BAPE has an amazing synergy with other brands. They offer some interesting designs that are fun and reminiscent of childhood, such as stars on the sneakers, clothing, and accessories that have gorillas on them, hoodies with sharks and so forth. Their current lines offer a lot of fun images and people like them. People who are fun loving and enjoy casual and unusual designs that remind them of their childhood are seriously drawn to BAPE.

16. People either love BAPE or they hate it

There are some serious fans of the brand who are happy to shell out high prices for the streetwear. To them, it’s worth the expense. For as many as love the brand, there are also a number of haters out there who despise it. BAPE gets a fair amount of attention these days. Some of it is positive and some of it is not. Even when people are trash talking the brand, at least they’re talking about it.

17. BAPE fans appreciate the history

There are people who wear BAPE brand streetwear because of the feeling that it gives them. They’re not necessarily all trying to make any kind of a statement or to impress anyone. Just like you have any favorite brand because it’s familiar and reminds you of a good period in your life, you’re drawn to it and it’s what you want to wear. These are the people who know the history of the brand as it relates to them personally and they appreciate it by remaining loyal.

18. BAPE isn’t about being trendy

While there are some who do think that the BAPE brand is trendy, the majority do not. It had its heyday then went through a slump. The truth is that it’s always had a loyal following, even though the numbers may have dwindled from time to time. It’s not the trendiest brand on the market, but it does serve a niche who continue to deplete the shelves of certain branded items. If you were to poll the public in Japan about the BAPE brand you may have a few who are dyed in the wool fans and will tell you that the streetwear collection is essential but that isn’t the general consensus. It’s ranked above the average mall brands and it’s definitely designer but it never quite reached the status of being fully high-end. Pharrell’s involvement generated a lot of hype with certain audiences in the United States, and it created an explosion of interest that would not sustain itself through changing times, at least not at the rapid growth it had seen during those first few years, but it rather, took a decline. BAPE was trendy for a brief period of time, but it’s really just a designer brand that has become a favorite for some.

19. Khalid is one of the forever fans

Singer Khalid got hooked on the brand and he’s one who simply doesn’t have enough of the brand’s shoes to satisfy his desires. He’s even talked to them about getting some Bathing Apes that are from the Soulja Boy era. If Khalid is still a fan, we know there are plenty more who feel the same way. He’s a good example and representative of a larger niche that is happy when they have a good supply of BAPE shoes or other items in the line. When you find something you love, really, there is no substitute. It’s like having an old favorite pair of shoes and when they wear out, a new brand doesn’t fit the same and it doesn’t conjure the same feelings on an emotional level that the old ones did.

20. BAPE isn’t for everyone, but it’s still an essential

BAPE is an interesting brand to discuss because there is such a mixed bag of reviews about the streetwear. For those who love the brand and appreciate its history, those feelings aren’t going away because of new trends in streetwear. It’s about what you identify with and clothing is very personal. There are probably more negative reviews about the brand because of its lack of keeping up with new modern trends because most of the products are manufactured in China because the products are expensive or because some reviewers claim that the quality is good, but it’s nothing special. There are a lot of reasons why people have something less than flattering to say about the brand. BAPE certainly isn’t for everyone and there are plenty of consumers who make this clear but for the rest of the consumers who continue to deplete the shelves of product, BAPE is a line of essential streetwear.