Remember that Bape-branded Nintendo DS that was announced a few weeks back? Seems like the brand finally has something “hot” (I refer here to the fact that their Tokyo stores are always empty — I do realize that the brand is quite popular outside of Japan these days). As Kotaku reports:
Label conscious Nintendo fans will want to perk up their ears and check their credit card balances, as the Baby Milo by A Bathing Ape limited edition Nintendo DS has been released. It retails for 16800 yen (now about $167), but we wish you great luck in securing one at that price. The newly revamped (and finally usable) Bape web site lists the item at its standard price, but Bape reseller Boboshop is selling the white version for an impressive 44940 yen. That translates to about $447 US if you’re considering it.
Category: Fashion • Games
I got one and it’s cho-cute!
And with the price tag of every thing inside those shop, it’s no surprise you dont see that many people inside. Go to any hi-range shop for more respectable brand such as comme des garcons, Miakey or even Dior, chanel and you will not see that many people either. Yet we can hardly say those brand aren’t hot.
A few things about that. First, back in the day, there used to be crowds in there, even lines of people waiting to get inside. And you can’t really compare 6000 yen t-shirs and 20 000 yen jackets to Comme des Garcons or Dior. Also, how often do you see anyone wearing Bape these days? The only time I ever see some (and this is rarely), is when someone is wearing it head-to-toe.
You got Comme des garcons t-shirts at 8000-9000¥. I know I got more than my share of them. You can also have 20,000¥ Apes Jackets. The fact that the brand have now shops in Shibuya and Harajuku might play into having less people their but also prove they are still going strong. It might not be the last trendy shop in Tokyo to go queue for, and I also met Japanese people who dont like the brand but they are doing really good here and abroad and I think they deserve it.
The shop design from Wonder-Wall is great, the branding top notch, Nigo keep pulling out cool collaboration from Kany West to Nintendo and his label have some interesting artists.
Well, I’ll just have to continue to disagree. I do think the brand is but a shadow of itself. I mean, they can’t even get coverage in Men’s magazines so they have to publish they own mook catalog ever season!
fair enough, but I was not the only one that morning that probably didn’t agree with you…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrxtE75r9iM
Note that it missing at least 1/3 of the line in this video. ; )
You just blew my mind!
After watching that video, everyone should agree with me: Ape is SO dead.
i think bape should really open a store in nakameguro.