PEOPLE OF THE APE! for Smart Max Vol. 2 [2001]

A BATHING APE® is now indispensable as one of the leading brands in Japan.

 
 

The brand is responsible for icons like APE Face, APE Camo, and BABY MILO, elevating casual wear to a new level. APE's clothes may not be the most relaxed, but they are simply and genuinely cool. This simple answer is what makes APE so appealing. This issue of PEOPLE OF THE APE! was for those who wanted to be adults who enjoy fashion in an aggressive manner. Smart asked close friends of NIGO to take an even more aggressive approach to APE; street styles that only adults can wear.

 
 

This collaborative article between TOKYOMILKSHOP and Sabukaru is part of an ongoing series that explores the forgotten history of Urahara culture through vintage magazine scans and everything pre-internet. Keep an eye out for more topics to come.

 
 

Here’s an in-depth look at “PEOPLE OF THE APE!” There are quite a few takeaways from this post, but one of the intriguing points to acknowledge is the Planet Of The Apes [Italian] movie posters in the background of each photo. It’s essential to acknowledge how NIGO consciously showcased & referenced POTA.

 
 

As we know, Planet Of The Apes is a core influence for A Bathing Ape & this photoshoot illustrates that message as clear as day. NIGO, like many of us, did his homework, seamlessly he was able to create designs, patterns, names & Lookbooks that always drew inspiration from the original 1968 art direction of POTA.

 
 

Modeled by several notable figures & friends of NIGO. Starting off with Egawa “YOPPI” Yoshifumi of Hectic/Hombre Niño, Shunsuke Matsuoka, Shinsuke Takizawa of NEIGHBORHOOD, Tetsu Nishiyama [tetsu_nishiyama] of WTAPS, NIGO of BAPE/Human Made, Tsuyoshi Noguchi [Stylist], Jun Murakami [Actor], & Arata Iura [Actor].