NOWHERE Co., Ltd. operates fashion brand 〈A BATHING APE®〉, a consistent symbol of street fashion since its founding in Harajuku, Tokyo, on April 1, 1993. The company manages stores including BAPE STORE®, BAPEXCLUSIVE™, BAPE KIDS®, and A BATHING APE PIRATE STORE®, expanding its business worldwide. In 2012, AAPE A BATHING APE® was launched targeting a younger market, featuring items based on the Moon Face logo and the original camouflage pattern, AAPE CAMO.
For this occasion, we interviewed the marketing team representative about the BE@RBRICK being released to celebrate A BATHING APE®'s 28th anniversary. We focused our conversation on the first installment, "A BATHING APE®️ 28TH ANNIVERSARY BE@RBRICK BAPE CAMO #1."

— Congratulations on A BATHING APE®️'s 28th anniversary. How are you feeling right now?

In April 2021, "A BATHING APE®" will celebrate its 28th anniversary. We are deeply grateful for the support of our many customers and everyone involved that has made this possible.
For its 28th anniversary, "A BATHING APE®" continues to evolve its core style categories—HIP HOP, MILITARY, OUTDOOR, SPORTS, and COLLEGE—in the BAPE® style for the 2021 Spring/Summer season.
We are also planning our usual anniversary item releases, including T-shirts featuring the 28th-anniversary logo and collaborations with BE@RBRICK. This year's BE@RBRICK is an impactful BAPE® CAMO design befitting the 28th anniversary. It's the first time we're releasing a BE@RBRICK featuring multiple camouflage patterns for an anniversary, and it's an item we highly recommend, not just for collectors.

— What style is A BATHING APE®️ proposing for this Spring/Summer season?

The "DESERT CAMO," a beige tone incorporating 90s trends and applied to military-inspired items, and "NEW MULTI CAMO," born in 2006 inspired by 00s HIP HOP culture, have been updated and reappear as new camouflage patterns, featured across various items.

Additionally, the scarf-inspired "DOUBLE APE HEAD" pattern offers an elegant feel, and we believe it will allow people to experience a new side of BAPE®. We also recommend the relaxed, loose silhouettes that have been a staple for the past few seasons.
Many people associate BAPE® with camouflage, but we propose a variety of styles while being mindful of diversity. We encourage OPENERS readers to check out the latest lookbook on the BAPE® website and incorporate it into their daily style.

— While the brand has a youthful image, are there any recommended items for OPENERS readers in their 30s and 40s?

The revival items from the brand's early days, which we've been releasing in recent years, might evoke nostalgia for those who have followed the brand since its inception. Additionally, BAPE®︎ BLACK, which focuses on black, and Mr. Bathing Ape, offering many formal items, are recommended for a slightly more mature look than usual BAPE®︎.
Furthermore, "BAPE HOME," launched last year, offers furniture and home goods that are not only comfortable but also add a touch of accent to your interior.

— A BATHING APE®️ has collaborated on numerous projects. Recently, the trucker jacket with Levi's and the Superstar with Adidas garnered attention. Could you tell us about the unique considerations behind those collaborations?

As these were collaborations with globally renowned brands with long histories, we incorporated BAPE®'s unique icons and techniques established throughout our 28-year history.
For the Levi's collaboration, we applied BAPE® CAMO rendered in stitching to Levi's trucker jackets and 501® jeans. This BAPE® CAMO incorporates the Levi's logo, resulting in a truly collaborative finish.
For the Adidas collaboration, we released a BAPE®-designed version of the Superstar, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. By placing each brand's iconic symbol—our "BAPE STA" and Adidas's "three stripes"—on the left and right sides of the upper, we created a design that will be remembered in history.

— What are some of your most memorable collaborations with MEDICOM TOY?

All of our collaborations with MEDICOM TOY are memorable, and it's hard to pick just a few. We've utilized brand icons like BAPE® CAMO and the popular Shark design, engaged in triple collaborations with esteemed brands such as Levi's, mastermind, and READYMADE, and undertaken diverse projects with BE@RBRICK, including wooden BE@RBRICKs with Karimoku. Products like BE@RMUG, VCD, and Chogokin were also memorable. Projects like last year's FLOWER BOMBER and MICKEY MOUSE were also highly impactful.

"BE@RBRICK BAPE®︎ x Levi's®︎ 1000%" released in January 2021. Sold out.

— What do you find appealing and potential in BE@RBRICK?

I believe BE@RBRICK is a canvas and art. Despite being a complete block-type bear figure, it absorbs everything depicted—various textiles, art, characters—and expresses the charm of both to the fullest.
It's a unique existence where the number of ways to enjoy it is as numerous as the people who love BE@RBRICK, with collectors worldwide proudly displaying them like art pieces or exhibiting them like expensive jewelry.
When the release of a BE@RBRICK is announced, we receive numerous inquiries about purchases from partners worldwide. For limited items, the number is astonishing, and we are constantly busy handling them. It's a happy problem, indeed.

— Could you tell us about the message behind "A BATHING APE®️ 28TH ANNIVERSARY BE@RBRICK BAPE CAMO #1" being released this time?

Until last year, anniversary items were released once in April each year. For the 28th anniversary, we wanted to change the approach from previous years and devise a way to collect various BAPE® CAMO patterns throughout the year. To make this project even stronger, we partnered with MEDICOM TOY, with whom we have cultivated a long-standing partnership, resulting in this wonderful collection.
This series, released throughout the year, allows collectors to gather BE@RBRICKs in 28 color variations of BAPE® CAMO, commemorating the 28th anniversary. The first installment features 7 patterns. Inside the closed box, there's also a secret color, so the surprise awaits you after purchase. The second installment of this series, with different color variations, is scheduled for release in June. Information on the third and subsequent installments will be updated sequentially on our official website, so don't miss out.
We have a surprise planned for the Christmas release, which will conclude this series, that we believe will be quite astonishing. We hope you'll look forward to it.

A BATHING APE®️ 28TH ANNIVERSARY BE@RBRICK BAPE CAMO #1
Size | Approx. 70mm height each
Price | ¥1,980 each (tax included)
Sales Method | MEDICOM TOY direct stores and MEDICOM TOY online stores,
A BATHING APE®️ authorized retailers & WEB STORE
Release Date | Scheduled for April 2021 release
Distributor | NOWHERE Co.,Ltd.
*As this is a limited quantity item, sales will end once stock is depleted.
©️ NOWHERE Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
BE@RBRICK TM & ©️ 2001-2021 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

— Finally, amidst the global challenges posed by the pandemic, what are BAPE®'s future aspirations?

In 2020, the pandemic prompted a complete transformation of lifestyles. As new ways of living become the norm, the demand for creating comfortable home environments, including home offices, has increased.
A BATHING APE®️ launched "BAPE HOME," a new project themed around home, on BAPE.COM on December 24th last year.
"BAPE HOME," which I recommended earlier, is a new project launched last year that focuses on proposing various lifestyle elements that complement daily life, including furniture and home goods. We plan to release more new products and collaborations, so please look forward to them.
Regarding plans beyond April, there are many items and projects we cannot yet disclose, but we are planning collaborations with sneakers and popular characters in the near future. We hope you will await the official announcements.