Which Japanese streetwear brand did Nigo found in Tokyo in 1993?

Nigo founded the Japanese streetwear brand A Bathing Ape in Tokyo in 1993.

Nigo, whose birth name is Tomoaki Nagao, launched A Bathing Ape after becoming involved in Tokyo’s music, fashion, and youth-culture scene. The brand is commonly abbreviated as BAPE and became known for camouflage patterns, ape imagery, colorful graphics, and limited releases.

A Bathing Ape helped popularize Japanese streetwear internationally through bold products and collaborations with musicians, sneaker companies, and fashion brands. Its distinctive visual identity made the label especially influential in the late 1990s and 2000s.

The name is often misunderstood as a direct reference to wildlife. It comes from the phrase “A Bathing Ape in Lukewarm Water,” a comment on contemporary youth culture. BAPE and A Bathing Ape refer to the same brand.