A Bathing Ape
BAPE — Nigo's Tokyo streetwear original. The ape-head logo and 'Ape Shall Never Kill Ape' slogan date its earliest, most coveted pieces.
- Origin
- Japan
- Founded
- 1993
- Category
- Athletic & Streetwear
- Documented eras
- 3
How A Bathing Ape labels evolved over time. Match the markers below against the tag in hand to place a garment in its era.
1993–1999
'Ape Shall Never Kill Ape' Tags
Early tags are simple and bold, often with the 'Ape Shall Never Kill Ape' slogan in a rugged font, the ape head shown with less detail and often no registered-trademark mark.
- Early tags from the 1990s feature a simple and bold design, often with the APE SHALL NEVER KILL APE slogan in a distinct, rugged font.
- The ape head logo is prominently displayed, but with less detail compared to later versions.
- Tags from this era may lack the ‘R’ for registered trademark, which became more consistent in subsequent decades.
How to spot it
The 'Ape Shall Never Kill Ape' slogan, no ® mark.
Value signal
Rare and highly prized; 90s BAPE is collector-grade.
2000–2009
Anti-Counterfeit Holographic Tags
More polished tag designs as BAPE rose globally, complex graphics and brand-philosophy text, with holographic tags and anti-counterfeiting measures appearing.
- The 2000s saw a transition to more polished tag designs, reflecting the brand’s rise in global popularity.
- Tags often included more complex graphics and sometimes additional text about the brand’s philosophy or origin.
- The introduction of holographic tags and other anti-counterfeiting measures became more common to combat fakes.
How to spot it
Holographic tags with more complex graphics.
Value signal
Strong; 2000s BAPE holds firm streetwear value.
2010–2019
Refined Detailed-Logo Tags
Cleaner lines and a modern typeface, the ape head highly detailed and consistently carrying the ® mark, some tags noting collaborations or limited editions.
- Recent tags from the 2010s show a further refinement in design, with cleaner lines and a more modern typeface.
- The ape head logo is now highly detailed and consistently includes the registered trademark symbol.
- Some tags also feature special collaborations or limited edition series, indicating the brand’s expanded influence and collaborations.
How to spot it
A highly detailed ape head with the ® mark.
Value signal
Modern; collab pieces aside, priced on the piece.