The Bape 1st Camo Apesta For Spring 2011 = G.I. DOPE!

"The 1st camo pattern by A Bathing Ape is coming back strong. With other brands jumping on the camo train, it comes without surprise that Bape, known for this particular design, makes more heavy use of it again. Their high top Apesta canvas sneaker gets the 1st camo treatment for Spring 2011. Look out for a release this week."

Information Courtesy Of: Highsnobiety.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Avid Livestyle readers will no doubt recall that I have had the exact opposite of a L.O.V.E. affair with A Bathing Ape. Whilst I heartily applaud Nigo's marketing genius, I largely view each and every 1 of his collections as bootlegging gone chic. No more, no less. That opinion withstanding, I can still appreciate derivative designs when they show just a touch of originality. Case In Point: The Bape 1st Camo Apesta for Spring 2011.

Obviously the king's of artificial exclusivity did NOT event camouflage, however, they have long flipped this slick method of crypsis and incorporated it into their looks.

Now, with camouflage making seismic waves upon many a trend forecaster's radar this season (NOTE: As always, beware the evil Trendoid forces that wish to co-opt your good taste and feast upon your integrity. Remember, true style is enduring ... and Y.O.U. don't need any magazine to tell Y.O.U. that!), it's only right that BAPE hit the retail battlefield to wage war on the trifling competition. Nigo's weapon of choice is a too cool for school pair of canvas Chuck's. Nice. I might need a pair of these in my life homie. Good shit!

The Limited Edition BAPE STORE LONDON® 8th Anniversary T-Shirt = A Rare Breed Indeed.

"October marks the eight year anniversary of BAPE STORE LONDON®, to commemorate the occasion A Bathing Ape will be releasing a special anniversary T-Shirt designed by Skatething. Located in Soho London, the design features one of the areas most iconic landmarks – the statue of Eros, with the phrase APEACIFIC APPAREL WORKS and of course the store’s address, all detailed within the Ape Head Silhouette, Available in either a White or Black colourway. This is one of the first times a Store anniversary T-Shirt has been designed exclusively by Skatething. The tee will be released in store and in the European online store on October 30th."

Information Courtesy Of: Highsnobiety.Com

Available @ The European BAPE Online Store Here: Eu.Bape.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: I have never been a fan of A Bathing Ape. It is important that Y.O.U. know this about me. Now, having been armed with such information concerning my less than favorable feelings towards BAPE is no reason to jump to conclusions; there is no conflict of interest in me covering Nigo's noteworthy releases.

The fact is that I actually like many of this brand's creations, I, however, simply take great exception to the fact that BAPE is basically just socially accepted bootlegging. BAPE has made quite a name for themselves by legitimizing the derivative nature of their collections through the practice of artificial scarcity and overpricing their goods. The kids like it. LOL. Whatever.

Any who, when not completely ripping off Nike, BAPE does occasionally offer up some uncut dope to be taken in vain ... lol. Case In Point: The brand new BAPE STORE LONDON® 8th Anniversary T-Shirt release.

To commemorate the Soho, London Bathing Ape outpost's 8 years of Downtown dominance, BAPE art director SKATETHING took total control and created this limited edition top. The back of the t-shirt prominently features a beautiful rendition of the Statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus, London - the bust of this winged archer of L.O.V.E. (NOTE: Think Cupid) being one of London's most iconic landmarks mate! Very nice. Needless to say, while taking a backseat to the Statue of Eros design, the ubiquitous BAPE Ape Head logo makes it's always special appearance with the phrase "APEACIFIC APPAREL WORKS" and the store’s address, all detailed within the company's signature silhouette.

Be advised, this über limited edition t-shirt drops @ the London store and online tomorrow morning and should be all gone before the sun sets on the sale! Make sure your mouse has batteries. Man your battle stations!

The Mr. Bathing Ape x Regal Shoes = Monkey Shines (An Experiment In Fresh Gear).

"As part of the Mr. Bathing Ape Collection, a collaboration between United Arrows and Bape, they worked with Regal on two shoes. A loafer comes in black leather with the line’s moustache logo and a lace-up comes with a dotted Bapesta logo on the toe cap. Both will be released along with the rest of the line on March 25th."

Information Courtesy Of: Highsnobiety.Com

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Lest memory fails them, ALL loyal Livestyle readers should no doubt recall my mythical disdain for BAPE. Well, perhaps I am going a bit overboard. To clarify, there are a number of dope original pieces from the brand that Nigo built that I really do like, however, on the whole, I regard BAPE to basically be astronomically priced bootleg knock-offs of other goods. It is what it is.

That having been said, I know fly when I see it and these Mr. Bathing Ape x Regal Shoes certainly fit the bill. The Mr. Bathing Ape Collection in conjunction with United Arrows is composed of tailored pieces that bespeak a classic bespoke elegance in direct contrast to the elevated streetwear that BAPE is known for - and these shoes are the perfect foundation.

Even though Y.O.U. will never catch me looking like some high-watered pants up, suspendered down fake ass 1930's hipster paperboy (Or a "Newsies" movie reject ... lol), I do like where this style trend is going. Sign me up for the slick wingtips with that good BAPESTA star logo on the toe. Good shit!

Kanye West x Bape Spring 2010 Lookbook x Album Of The Year = Greatness!

Information Courtesy Of: www.kanyeuniversecity.com

The First Lady Of LiveStyle Says: Did Bape seriously make a comeback? Yes! Atleast I'd like to say so. Featured in this Spring 2010 lookbook is Mr. Kanye West himself. The collection attributes Japanese and American influences with a new style of belts, shirts, varsity jackets, and trousers. While the collection is clean cut, the signature Milo hoody is the most vibrant of all pieces and features different characters from Milo's history of traditional Bape hoodies.

Not only is Kanye gracing the covers of fashion editorials, but his debut album The College Dropout was deemed Entertainment Weekly's Album Of The Decade. And that it was. Being the Chicago enthusiast that I am, I have to say The College Dropout has always been my favorite piece of work collectively and was deserving of this title. Its safe to say 'Ye is closing out '09 on a better note than he started with.

Signing Off...

Aisha

A B.athing APE Launches US.Bape.Com AKA It's The American Way: These Colors Don't Run!

"Finally A Bathing Ape has launched a site for its American fans! Us.Bape.com is the name of the site which is read in full English text. The site features a Latest News tab to introduce the new site, a Spring/Summer 09 tab to showcase the full line-up of Bape products for this season, a Locations tab providing info for every Bape store on the planet, and a Shop tab that will be available soon for Americans to spend their money. Plus, the introductory page gives us a mind-boggling colorful experience that is sure to catch your eyes. Check the new site out!"

Information Courtesy Of: Sneakerfiles.Com


Visit BAPE US Online Here: US.Bape.Com


CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: While I am not nearly as much of a fan of the A B.athing Ape label as my cousins Rob "There Are Over 6 Billion People On The Planet Earth And, Of Those That Are In The Entertainment Industry, I Have 500,000 Of Them In My BlackBerry® Contacts" Young or Javon "Pink Floyd" Floyd, I do sincerely welcome the recent launch of their US based website @ www.us.bape.com.

Sure, Nigo's designs are completely derivative knock offs of major brands like Nike and Ralph Lauren and, therefore, in my esteemed opinion, are not worth the exorbitant prices that he affords them, however, I can appreciate his vision and his market manipulation through the implementation of artificial scarcity. Respect this hustler from the "Land Of The Rising Sun". Who knows? Now that I can cop more than 1 item @ a time @ this new online store, I might fuxs with a few online exclusives thereby initializing system destroying overloads on all trendoid spybots and leaving them stuck on stupid! Oh, how Orwellian of me!

Pharrell Williams = The King Of Croc.

Information Courtesy Of: BBCicecream.Com/Blog

CHRIS LIVE AKA SHAKER SAYS: Whilst I have not been a fan of cartoon characters adorning any articles of clothing since my cousins Rob, Javon and I were heavy into our J.C. de Castelbajac and Iceberg collections, I do fuxs with these BAPE Spongebob Croc Leather kicks. I mean, if Y.O.U. can't find it within your discontented heart to appreciate these 1-of-1 sneakers, then, Y.O.U. must, @ the very least, respect the custom made purple crocodile Hermès Birkin Bag that reportedly ran the homie Pharrell 80 large and that, now, is just a mere prop in this new photo. Yeah, it's like that my nig. As long as Skateboard P stays the fuck out of the pink furry Mukluks, he will continue to stand heads and shoulders above that other guy - Kanye West ... lol.