a bathing ape
A Japanese streetwear brand founded by Teriyaki Boyz member Nigo in 1993, opening a store named NOWHERE alongside fellow designer Jun Takahashi of Undercover. Popularized in the US by Kanye West in the early 2000s, the brand is most well known for it's shark hoodies, original camo patterns, and their Baby Milo mascot. They have a more affordable offshoot brand in AAPE, and have had crossovers with numerous well known franchises including Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Gundam, Transformers, Star Wars, and the Ultra series, as well as many official collaborations with American rappers.
The brand was sold to Hong Kong fashion business conglomerate I.T Group in 2011. Nigo remained at the brand for 2 years before departing in 2013.
Informally known as BAPE.