Stuff: Bathing Ape Spotted In The Bush

There it was, dressed in shiny patent leather and resting peacefully on a display shelf in the middle of Shepherd's Bush Market in London, off of Goldhawk Road. I spotted a

Bathing Ape 'Bape Sta' in the window, and found out that the store showcasing the rare breed of Japanese trainers (American translation = sneakers) is one of only two places in London that sells the brand. Plenty of Bathing Ape lovers have been visiting Global Sports US to check out, and buy, the coveted kicks from Japan, most being hip-hop fans. The shop's owner Ismail Khan, recognizing his customer's taste for music and fashion, has set up turntables in the store for your listening pleasure and even brings in local DJs on the weekends. His store's collection includes trainers covered in Swarovski crystals, hard-to-find issues of Nike, Adidas, and urban street wear with a USA style focus.

The Bathing Ape clothing line, also known as 'BAPE', got its start in 1993 in Tokyo, by Tomoaki Nagao, a young fashion editor turned designer who is better known as Nigo. Nigo's direct influence for the line comes from the 1968 classic movie Planet of The Apes. With his heroes also being Run DMC and other East Coast USA hip-hop greats, he seems to have followed a Russell Simmons business model, having sold limited edition t-shirts to launch the brand, and got artists to wear his clothing while performing. All being similar tactics used to launch the Phat empire. Nigo's Bape Sta design captures a lot of the retro flair of old skool hip-hop attire and is highly valued among trainer afficinados.

Purposefully elusive, Nigo produces limited edition one-of-a-kind merchandise that has increased its street value because it is hard to find. The brand has also branched out to include hair salons, cafés and rumour has it a Bape hotel will be opening soon. A-listers maintain loyalty to the brand, knowing that their fans won't be able to easily rush out and copy their wardrobe because Bathing Apes original products are nearly extinct once they hit the shelves.

I love the Wonder Woman pair, and will be saving my pennies to buy these someday, as at Global Sports US the retail

price is £160. The other location in London for Bathing Ape is at the official store found at 4 Upper James Street, Soho London, W1F 9DG, a posh address. I'd suggest visiting Global Sports US first to check out Bathing Apes, and make an afternoon of discovering the Shepherd's Bush market, where, after shopping, you can stop for a middle eastern lunch at one of the many international food stalls. 

 

Saving up for a pair of Bape Stas,

 

-Lisa

 

Who’s Lisa Devaney?

I head the Hai Media Group, a multimedia communications company based

in London, offering client’s traditional public relations, combined with new technology marketing strategies. I also perform, creating original Cabaret-style comedy skits for festivals, theatre and parties. For a reference key to this blog, visit this post. Find out more about me, and the talented entrepreneurs I collaborate with, by visiting: www.haimediagroup.com