No Japanese company has taken the world by storm like BAPE and its playful Hip-Hop clothes. Nigo’s company, which started in 1993, already has shops in many of the world’s major cities, including New York, London, Los Angeles, and, of course, Tokyo. But Nigo doesn’t plan to stop there. “BAPE is a lifestyle company, including music, hair, even food. Everything you need to live,” says the fashion guru. He has already started his spread of the brand with a record label, a salon, and even a cafe, but Nigo has more in store for his Planet of the Apes inspired brand.

BAPE, short for Bathing Ape, hardly needs an introduction to any semi-serious Hip-Hop or fashion fan. Not only is the clothing line worn by some of Japan’s biggest names in music, it is also backed by some of America’s finest, including Kanye West and Pharrel. But even fans of the clothing line might not know about Nigo’s line of cafes and salons bearing the same. One of each can be found in Shibuya, Tokyo. BAPE’s non-clothing chains haven’t made it too far past Japan. There is one boutique in London and a cafe that will soon open in New York, but Nigo still has work to do to truly promote BAPE lifestyle. However, he has big plans for a Tokyo-based hotel in the future.

“The hotel is my dream,” says Nigo, later adding that it is a “difficult project,” and could “remain a dream.” But, Nigo has surpassed his previous goals and dreams, so things look far from grim for the maestro of the monkey logo. What do you think of Nigo and BAPE? Do you think the BAPE expansions will be succesful?

Sources:
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://www.bape.com/
http://www.metropolis.co.jp