DOES THE TRUE BAPE FAN CARE?

THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE,THAT ASK THE QUESTION DOES THE TRUE BAPE FAN CARE THAT IT WAS SOLD AND NIGO NO LONGER THE MIND BEHIND THE BRAND,ME BEING A TRUE BAPE FAN I CARE, IT WAS NIGO FRESHNESS AND CREATIVE MINDSET THAT MADE IT COOL FOR ME TO ROCK KNOCK OFF AIRFORCE ONES.I VIEW THIS JUST LIKE I VIEW GLOBAL14, IT’S NOT SO MUCH DIFFERENT IN ITS OPERATION THAN MANY OTHER SOCIAL SITES BUT NORE TWITTER OR FACEBOOK HAVE ME OR MY SWAGG AND THAT SHIT YOU CANT BUY

The wonderful idea of the brand collaboration has been perfected by Nigo. Collaborations on a level unseen before and only imitated afterwards – from Bape Pepsi cans to Goyard trunks, G-Shock watches to fishing gear, scooters to cosmetics and toys – Nigo and A Bathing Ape have done it all. To many the today extremely successful Japanese architecture firm Wonderwall, has become primarily known for working with Bape on their flagship stores. The brand collaboration became a key driver in youth marketing around the globe. Again, if done right, which was the case many times with A Bathing Ape, it resulted in a tremendous success. Today we witness many more unsuccessful collaborations, of course also due to the influx in the use of the so called “collaboration”. In this area we still see Bape leading in many ways. Which other brand would have the balls to do a fishing gear collection? Or a dog apparel collection in this market? Bape still seems to go in directions others do not.
For us Bape has been more interesting in the past year than between 2006 and 2008. The launch of Ursus Bape and a step back from mid-decade all-over print excess and overt associations with hip-hop. The brand, in our mind, refocussed on the design. There was a slight return to the innovative and cheeky take on basics that launched the brand. Items wearable again, but we do have to admit that it seemed a former leader was now following. With the market suddenly obsessed with heritage, Bape, which always had re-interprets styles in a distinct way, was becoming less inspired, and at times Bape garments seemed to fold into the fashion herd. Bape boat shoes? Bape hiking boots? As excited as we were about URSUS Bape in the beginning, we are now finding the main line more enticing. Too many brands are exploiting the idea of “great basics”, which happily has us seeking out the unique again.
The question that we are asking ourselves right now is – will the core Bape fan still buy into the brand after ownership changes? How much of the success of the brand really goes hand in hand with Nigo, and most importantly how will brand direction be affected by a shift in owner/creative dynamic?
Streetwear takes change a little more personal than other markets. Stussy is an almost singular successful example. Few of us are old enough to have bought Stussy when it was still owned by Shawn himself. Yet the brand is wildly supported by fans around the globe. In other fashion segments a take-over seems to be less of a consumer issue. Who cares who owns Gucci or Louis Vuitton? Who cares if they are independent? Maybe we are wrong here, it just seems like streetwear has a special relationship with its brands, where such things matter more. This is a situation which can play out both negatively and positively, depending on how you view it.
One might even argue that what is happening to Bape is indicative of what is happening to streetwear in general. How true can a brand stay to itself while adapting to the market needs? How much heritage influence does a streetwear brand need in order to incorporate a trend? Aren’t brands best off that keep change minimal and stay 100% true to original mission and consumer base? These brands might not be able to bank in on a current trend, but if there is one thing that we all know, a trend will be over one day and what do you do then?
To get back to our main topic, many people predict a quick rise of Bape in the Chinese market. The Chinese consumer is hungry for cool, and the new ownership by a Hong Kong based firm makes perfect sense in regard to Chinese expansion.
What we want to know is, what happens to the long time Bape fan and consumer? How does this effect you guys? How do you see the situation?

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1 Comment
  1. Nigo was cool but his style was recycled.

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