BAPE MANIA X - A BATHING APE 1999 S/S Editorial
Yes, everybody knows what A BATHING APE, or BAPE is today.
Rappers were always rapping about it, the bright vibrant camo was always on the streets, and shark hoodies were all over Instagram getting all the likes.
But BAPE is so much more than just that. Yes, in the late 2000s, Pharrell and designer NIGO would show to the world that BAPE was the shit with their ultra baggy pants, oversized colorful hoodies, and blinged out massive chains. Songs like ‘It G Ma’ in the mid 2010s would solidify BAPE’s popularity in the west, with more and more street kids sporting the monkey. But before Pharrell and NIGO introduced BAPE overseas, even before the first shark hoodie was released, BAPE was popping off in Japan.
1993 was the year BAPE was created, along with possibly one of the most influential stores NOWHERE, which NIGO opened with Jun “Jonio” Takahashi of UNDERCOVER. This would kick off the UraHara era, one of the most impactful scenes in the history of street fashion. UraHara brands were the center of attention, and everyone was trying to get their hands on anything they could. Celebrities like the semi-worshipped Kimu-Taku [Takuya Kimura] and the late Ken Shimura were big fans of BAPE, and could be seen almost anywhere rocking the brand, making the demand for BAPE even higher.
To present their 1999 S/S collection, BAPE created a magazine editorial titled “BAPE MANIA #X”, styled by NIGO featuring models of both the human and monkey race. From knits, denim, jackets, to shirts, you can tell there is no large branding, no flashy camos, and definitely no shark hoodies. Just simple and classic silhouettes with NIGO’s touch. This is the BAPE that never quite made it out of Japan, the BAPE we especially love.
Photo: Keisuke Naito
Styling: NIGO
Hair & Make Up: Kenji Ishida
Design: Mankey
Models: Rie, Kumi, Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Orangutan
Direction: Detz Matsuda
Production: Kazuki Endo
Text: Motoki Kawanabe
![PEOPLE OF THE APE! for Smart Max Vol. 2 [2001]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/57825361440243db4a4b7830/1664168533768-OTX6EVT60QUMT8O6CXVI/308677209_497709145189756_6943226394915914090_n.jpg)
