This month, style supremos BAPE® are celebrating their London store’s 10th birthday with an extra-special drop and we want YOU to lend a hand in the festivities.
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Founded in Japan by NIGO® in 1993, BAPE® quickly established a fanatical following across its native continent, with international expansion coming close behind. In 1997, Very Ape was born, a capsule collection of ‘Made in UK’ pieces to add to their already packed closet.
Long-time ‘APE® and a number of names* founder, Craig Ford explains, “Very Ape was ‘Made in UK’ BAPE® product. It was many people’s first sight of the brand, as seen on the Beastie Boys. Unlike the original A Bathing Ape® ape head who is looking to the West, the Very Ape head looks back at the East.”
In the years since, brand BAPE® has continued to sonic boom. Throwing open the doors to their first non-Asian store in London in 2002, this month marks the shop’s big 1-0. To celebrate, a selection of reissued VAPE tees will be available from the rails at 4 Upper James Street from Saturday October 20th. Marking the occasion, i-D online is inviting all VAPE owners to come down to the London shop at midday on 20th October to monkey around and get photographed in your garms by i-D whipper snapper, Dexter Navy. Drop an email to web@i-Dmagazine.co.uk with subject line, ‘VERY APE’ with any questions.
Text: Sean Baker
Photography: VAPE new product shots courtesy BAPE®. All VAPE archive shots images courtesy instagram user rufussize.
