Is a Bathing Ape the most hyped brand in streetwear?

The year is 2023, and BAPE is one of the most hyped brands in streetwear. When you first discover this culture and start doing your history research, Nigo’s label, aka A Bathing Ape, is in Chapter One. But as we’ve discussed at length over here lately, the last few years have been interesting for streetwear, because now it’s mainstream.

What happened to Bape?

At its peak, BAPE’s empire spanned a global set of stores, a cafe, an art gallery, and dedicated stores for other lines like cartoonish Babymilo gear, a women’s couture line Bapy, and a childrenswear store. But by 2009, those fortunes were fading—fast. NIGO stepped down as the CEO.

What is Bape Camo?

Secondly, with its blobby, “hyperflat” design inspired by traditional duck-hunting camouflage, BAPE camo brings the glossy, cartoon-esque, fun and fantastical element of Japanese fashion to life without being kitschy or corny.