A BATHING APE 1st Shark Knit Hat

A Bathing Ape, or BAPE, is a Japanese fashion brand founded in 1993 by a music producer and DJ who goes by the moniker Nigo. A Bathing Ape became known for its original designs influenced by hip hop culture and its use of the monkey motif. The brand has many fans in East Asia, especially in Japan, where it operates 19 stores that not only offer BAPE clothing and shoes, but also art exhibitions. One of them is the Bape Gallery in Kyoto. And Bathing Ape also has branches in other world capitals such as Hong Kong, London, New York, Taipei, Paris, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Singapore. Nigo has also been involved in other businesses associated with the BAPE brand in the past, such as Bape Cuts (hair salon) and Bape Café (coffee shop). A Bathing Ape's clothing and shoes are very popular among artists who are interested in street fashion. Among them are Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, ASAP Rocky, ASAP Ferg and Kid Cudi.