BAPE Celebrates 30 Years

The show began with 25 looks from BAPE. This collection had three main themes; “Sport Mania,” “College Classic,” and “Denim Painter.”

“Sport Mania” explores ‘90s hip-hop in the West Coast and Y2K details with a modern twist. Here, they utilized the brand’s original camouflage motif and vibrant colors. “College Classic” coined American collegiate style from the ‘90s – a consistent inspiration since BAPE began. However, this time they added leather jackets, knit sweaters, outwear, messenger bags, and accessories. “Denim Painter” paid homage to American artist Jackson Pollock. They introduced a new brushstroke pattern and combined it with distressed denim.

Next was BAPE BLACK; the sister label that specializes in black and gold details, embroidery, faux fur, and outerwear like coats and knit sweaters. The theme for this collection was “The Retro Outdoor,” with lots of European-inspired looks. This season, the sub-brand consisted of more luxury and elevated garments like trench coats, colorful knit sweaters, blazers, cardigans, and slacks.

Following BAPE BLACK was AAPE; a sub-label that fuses with BAPE and includes more sportswear, jerseys, and functional fashion. Models emerged on skateboards as AAPE takes influence from skateboarding and hip-hop in the ‘90s. Here, we saw a lot of vibrant-colored, movable pieces such as tracksuits, cropped jerseys, Moonface Monogram, and AAPER graphic t-shirts, hats, and two-piece sets.

APEE was unlike any of the collections throughout the show so far. The womenswear sub-label presented an elevated, chic type of streetwear; two-piece denim sets, handbags, platform boots, legwarmers, micro skirts, and cropped tops. This collection, titled “Gen-Z Gyaru Winter,” honored Japanese Gyaru subculture and Gen-Z pop culture. While BAPE and most of its sub-labels consist of baggy clothes, APEE experimented (and achieved) with creating tighter, more revealing clothes.

Last but not least was BAPY; a dramatic, and unexpected twist to end the collections. “The Office Essentials” theme serves the “Busy Working Lady.” It gave a new meaning to the employed woman with a wide range of corporate chic looks. There was also evening wear for as soon as you clock out for the day. Down the runway were sharp-tailored suits, plaid motifs, opulent dresses (including a wedding dress), workwear denim, and modern accessories with quality materials all-around.

Just as we thought the show was over, giant Bape Heads came out in the signature BAPE tracksuit…this time with inflatable wings, BAPE chains, and sneakers.

There will be a limited edition merch to commemorate BAPE’s 30th anniversary available on July 1 in BAPE stores and online. The collection includes t-shirts, baseball caps, totes, towels, stickers, and badges.