Dazed Digital: London BAPE STORE Interview with NIGO

by Eugene Kan, July 22, 2009

dazed digital london bape store interview nigo Dazed Digital: London BAPE STORE Interview with NIGO

With a high-profile BAPE STORE London opening just days ago, Dazed Digital conducted a short interview with A Bathing Ape founder NIGO regarding a series of noteworthy topics. Dazed Digital get the low-down on WTAPS’ Tetsuya Nishiyima’s involvment in the URSUS BAPE collection as well as some upcoming projects set for next year.

How about the new URSUS BAPE line, the collaboration with Tetsu Nishiyama of WTAPS?
We stock it here. I’m pleased that everybody knows who Tets is! Tets is one of the few people left from the guys that started at the beginning. A lot of people have faded out of the scene, but with Tets we still talk every day.

Is the longevity of BAPE and Tets due to maintaining the original design ethos of the label, with WTAPS it’s the military-inspired designs?
I agree. We don’t follow trends. It always starts with the idea – let’s make something we want to make.

Are there new Japanese designers that you’re inspired by?
Not really. I’m a little bit worried that there aren’t that many new names coming up.

I remember rumors of a BAPE hotel and even BAPE airline…
(Laughs) I’m still thinking about it….

What’s next for BAPE?
There’s a Chrome Hearts (LA-based lifestyle and jewellery label) collaboration coming. I’ll probably opening more stores in Asia next year, and I’m doing a suit line that I’ve been working on for the past year that will be available at United Arrows store in Japan called Mr. A Bathing Ape.

15 Responses

  1. Posted by: nicholasps on July 27, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    @panda666: All the Vietnamese kids will be wearing it.

  2. Posted by: W1F on July 26, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    really……? lets be real for a sec!!! BAPE closed the store in London in Jan… moved it to Green Park…. it looked terrible from a BAPE point of view…. Then 7 months later RE-OPENED the store in the SAME location, nothins changed but the window neons and hiked up the prices!!!! for example a tee is now £60!

  3. Posted by: MAC on July 25, 2009 at 7:45 pm

    I laughed when they said “we don’t follow trends”……no, no you don’t you simply jack ideas, put your bape stamp on it and hike prices up by £200.

  4. Posted by: justin bobby on July 24, 2009 at 1:36 am

    i can’t lie. if he can make a clean, 100% wool with no poly bullshit combo non ill-fitting suit with an allover camo print lining, i’d probably buy it.

  5. Posted by: panda666 on July 23, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    BAPE store in Vancouver BC Canada

  6. Posted by: ATG on July 23, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Bape is so overrated none of their stuff is anything inspiring really.

  7. Posted by: V on July 23, 2009 at 9:45 am

    You would think bape would employ better groomed staff.

  8. Posted by: Gino on July 23, 2009 at 5:53 am

    A Store in Czech Republic – Prague…

  9. Posted by: beatnik21 on July 22, 2009 at 10:39 pm

    open one in singapore!!!

  10. Posted by: SR on July 22, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    Nigo has actually been hinting at a new Bape store in China.

  11. Posted by: Sunny on July 22, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    i see he’s wearing one of those god awful shirts.

  12. Posted by: Dr. No on July 22, 2009 at 5:31 pm

    Looks like little man is standing on some shoe boxes!

  13. Posted by: Wbot on July 22, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    heh the suit line should be interesting.

  14. Posted by: Matt on July 22, 2009 at 11:13 am

    A demand a Bape camo suit now!

  15. Posted by: BG on July 22, 2009 at 10:50 am

    BAPE store in the southeast US?….Think about it Nigo…