SafeMailServices.com

Monday, April 7, 2008

BAPE Line Of Clothing: A Look At Popular Culture

By Chris Channing

BAPE is the next thing in fashion, from what can be seen from music videos and other media sources. The clothing line is fresh out of Japan, where it has become one of the dominant forms of clothing for hip hop and rap groups. But not many know the true history of the BAPE line of clothing, which is quite interesting indeed.

The Rise of BAPE

BAPE, short for "A Bathing Ape," is a Japanese company that specializes in new-age trends and sporty clothing. The company caters mainly to hip hop and rap personas, although it extends its reach to several stereotypes.

The founder, who goes by the name of Nigo, created the line in 1993. He marketed the brand by giving away a large amount of free shirts. Nigo also gave celebrities and singers the shirts in hopes that fans would see the brand and buy it from association. As it turns out, Nigo was right, and a steep climb to success went underway.

Bathing Ape Fashion In Today's World

Today, the brand has spread to several countries. There are several stores in not only Japan, but also in the United States in prime locations such as New York City. Clearly, Nigo has done well for himself as both a designer and an expert marketer.

BAPE clothing has received worldwide recognition thanks to the simple marketing ploy Nigo employed in his first campaign. From the very start, he targeted the music industry as a way to sell his product. Today popular hip hop artists such as Kanye West commonly wear the apparel in music videos- giving the BAPE line massive exposure.

Creativity Sells For BAPE

BAPE was a creative clothing line from the start, which has led to much of its success. Even the best marketing skills in the world couldn't sell a product like Nigo has. But in Nigo's case, he had both the marketing skills and the creativity to produce a truly phenomenal product.

The BAPE line of clothing often features "noisy" themes- meaning there are many images or contrasting colors in the design. Some of the designs convey the idea of wealth- which has attracted many who like to show off their wealth to the clothing line.

The BAPE brand doesn't just stick to shirts, however. They get a large amount of business from hoodies, jeans, and shoes too. The shoes in particular have been quotes as being similar to the Nike "Air Force 1" brand shoe, which had previously done exceptionally well on the market. In a sense, Nigo duplicated the success of the Air Force 1, and even took it to a next level with the BAPE sense of creativity.

Closing Comments

BAPE might not be the oldest clothing line in the market, but it certainly is showing to be a tough competitor to other clothing lines. The public reception has helped boost the company to success, and as more and more rappers and artists wear the line, the success is only expected to continue. It looks as if this is one trend that isn't dying out anytime soon.

About the Author:

No comments: