"Stüssy and Bape® present “Ill Collaboration”, which includes a range of apparel and accessories in celebration of A Bathing Ape® and their 20th anniversary. This partnership between the two brands follows the first capsule collection released in 2010. “Ill Collaboration” draws inspiration from vintage desert camouflage patterns creating a 90’s military vibe with classic iconography from both Stussy and Bape®." 






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It has been two years since Hong Kong-based fashion conglomerate I.T. bought 'A Bathing Ape' and this year marks the 20th anniversary of the brand. NIGO sits down with WWD for an interview to discuss A Bathing Ape and its future. NIGO is no longer involved with BAPE, instead focusing on his own company 'NIGOLD' and several collaborative ventures. Take a look at what he has to say inside.

Why did you choose to leave A Bathing Ape, the very brand you started? When did you make the decision? 

Nigo: It was about six months ago that I started to think about what I wanted to do next. I guess it’s just me being selfish. It has been 20 years since I founded the brand, and in another 20 years from now I will be 60. I started fumbling around for some new possibilities. What I really want to make clear is that I didn’t fall out with [I.T chief executive officer] Sham Kar Wai. Sham and I get on as more than business associates and we came to a mutual decision. It was simply that I came to the realization that Bape was no longer just my creation and I didn’t renew the contract that I signed two years ago when I sold the company.  

Do you think that without you Bape is going to change even more significantly from now on? Nigo: There is a hangover caused by my own time managing Bape. That without me the brand wouldn’t exist is something the people who follow in my footsteps will have to overcome. But I think that I.T is confident that it is going to continue to sell without me. Especially in Asia, Bape is Bape. There are people who are fanatical about the logo alone. Maybe it will have an effect in places in the West like New York where I have an identity as Nigo. As for Japan, I wonder? I have a feeling they will just have to push on. If something goes wrong, maybe they will call me back!  

So, where will you go from here? Aside from Nowhere, you have your own company, Nigold, which produces your new clothing brand Human Made. Will this be the second incarnation of Bape? 

Nigo: Human Made is a brand that makes the clothes I want to be wearing right now, but I have no intention at all of growing it to the level of Bape. Two years ago, I opened a shop for Human Made in [the Tokyo residential neighborhood] Sendagaya that only opened on the weekends called Cold Coffee. I am in the process of renewing the interior of that and I am going to put on sale some of my collection of vintage items. I want to go back to doing business over the counter the old school way. I rent two or three locations for my collection and gradually have just wanted to let go of it all. I want to make a shop disguised as an art gallery with all of things I have collected on display for sale. I have no intention of going back into high-risk business.

Shouts To Hypebeast

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Head over to Bape to check out the few other colorways they've released.

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Grab it here ---> BAPE

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3 different colorways of the Sta Face were released, go hit up BAPE to see more.


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We all love new BAPE items.....hit up the online shop to get a hold of em.


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The first attempt by the APE to create a camo short. What yall think?

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Comfortable for work. BAPE

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BAPE FTW!!!

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The A Bathing Ape Pirate initiative has started to ramp up as of late with A Bathing Ape looking to hit various different aesthetics and markets. From their URSUS collection to their outlet-style Pirate collection, the brand has looked to capitalize on the pirate theme with its own range seen here. The graphic-dominant collection includes t-shirts and crewnecks and is available through Anytime.


Anytime CWB
Ground Floor, 522 Jaffe Road
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
p: 852.2311.7390


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You all should know Nigo, founder of BAPE & co-founder of BBC/Ice Cream. It's cool how sci-fi shows & movies of apes can inspire a person. Just look at Pharrell, Chad, and Shae (N.E.R.D.) if it wasn't for Carl Saigon and Mork & Mindy, there'd probably be no N.E.R.D.
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Check out Nigo's crib below.