The following information will help acquaint newcomers to the world of A Bathing Ape, and includes links to sites that sell authentic Bape Sta shoes, as well as other Bathing Ape clothes and merchandise.
A Bathing Ape Terms to Know:
- A Bathing Ape: The company's name is derived from the Japanese expression for trend-following youth, "bathing in lukewarm water."
- Bape: Pronounced "bayp" (rhymes with "tape"), Bape is the nickname for A Bathing Ape. "Bapes" refers to Bathing Ape shoes, e.g. "Has anyone seen my Bapes?"
- Bape Sta: The official name of Bathing Ape's popular athletic shoes, also called "Bapesta."
- Fapes: Street term for fake of counterfeit Bapes.
- Busy Work Shop: This is the name of A Bathing Apes retail locations.
What Are Bapes:
Bapes is the nickname for the Bape Sta, an athletic-styled shoe from the Japanese company A Bathing Ape. The term "Bape" is used as a nickname for A Bathing Ape.
Who Created Bapes:
The Bape "Sta" shoes were an addition to the already successful Bathing Ape clothing line, created by Tokyo designer and company founder Nigo (pronounced "nee-go").
Who Wears A Bathing Ape:
Bape Stas were originally hottest amongst the hip and trendsetting Street Fashion youth of Japan.
Thanks in part to celebrities like super-producer Pharrell Williams and Good Charlotte's Benji and Joel Madden donning the label, Bathing Ape has become increasingly popular in the U.S. as well.
The Bathing Ape Brand:
It started in 1993 with t-shirts, but this "underground" brand name is now mainstream enough to be found on a toy line, café, hair salon and record label, in addition to its ever-expanding line of hoodies, shirts and shoes.
Where to Buy Authentic Bape Shoes:
Of course, the best place to buy Bathing Ape products is at one of their Busy Work Shop retail outlets, or at a licensed retailer.
But if you don't happen to live in a major city and don't mind paying a bit more for them, you may want to check out the following web sites. They have a reputation for selling authentic products, but be sure to check their return policies before buying.
A Word About Fapes (Fake Bapes):
Due to the hefty price tag and because the shoes are so hard to get, there are a plethora of fakes out there. These counterfeit shoes are known as FAPEs, which is short for "Fake Bapes." If you want authentic Bape shoes, you should only purchase them from a trusted retailer. You can learn more about spotting fake bapes at the Sole Collection Forums.
Official Web Site for A Bathing Ape:
In line with their limited-edition, exclusive, keeping them in demand approach to marketing, the official Bathing Ape web site can not be viewed in your browser. Upon visiting the site, you must execute a download to actually get any information.
