Bathing Ape

Tomoaki Nagao also known as Nigo, a DJ, designer, and producer, he is an avid collector of "Planet of the Apes" memorabilia. He decided to go against the traditional lifestyle and go with his passions, which was his own way of rebellion against the norm. After printing up a limited quantity of t-shirts in the Harajuku area, the shirts sold out quickly. According to Nigo this was a form of street cred for Japanese youth. This was when "Bathing Ape" was born.¹

"Bathing Ape" is a Japanese Clothing Company also known as "Bape." Launched in 1993. Headquarters is located in Tokyo, Japan. "Bathing Ape" term derived from the movie "Planet of the Apes but is also a Japanese saying "bathing an ape in lukewarm water" to describe the Japanese youth as being spoiled and pampered according to Nigo. This company's focus is urban and hip hop wear, such as t-shirts, polos, shoes, jackets, and parkas. There are 33 stores located in Japan and one New York City in the SoHo district along with Parrell Williams, an American producer.²

These products are not easily accessible in the United States but the products can be found on Ebay website and various other websites. Granted that you may have to be a millionaire in order to afford any of these products, they are available. Just like any other product, I am sure there are knock offs somewhere. There are many reviews for this particular product. Check out http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/41893188/new_york_ny/a_bathing_ape.html. Let just say that the "average joe" off the street could not afford this product. At the store located in New York City, there are no returns.

I tried to check out the website but in order to do so you have to download the site. I downloaded the site and it is all in Japanese. This is the first time I have ever heard of downloading a shopping website, just to browse products. I did go the Ebay website and saw its outrages prices for these shoes and shirts but if you wait awhile the prices will decrease.

But despite the high prices, there are plenty of stores that carry the product. Apparently many people that are fans of the product as well. "Bape" products have there on fan based website. There are MySpace backgrounds, layouts, and graphics. Check it out at http://www.bapefan.com.

But here are some website with decent prices(just cut and paste):
http://www.shoppingkicks.com/ShoesListByType.asp?TypeID=68
http://www.thefind.com/query.php?query=Bathing%20Apes%20Shoes&cm_mmc=ppc-_-google-_-shoes-v2-_-Bathing%20Apes%20Shoes&v=2&gclid=CNOmhvGdqI0CFQQ3OAodnBAH1Q
http://www.pickyourshoes.com/size/bape.htm.

Sources:
1)http://www.time.com/time/asia/2004/heroes/hnigo.html
2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Bathing_Ape
3)http://nymag.com/nymetro/shopping/columns/storeopenings/10734/
4)http://newyork.citysearch.com/profile/41893188/
5)http://www.pickyourshoes.com/size/bape.htm
6)http://www.bapefan.com.