[STYLE] A BATHING APE® AW24 COLLECTION

On the exquisite evening of June 6, 2024, the global streetwear icon A BATHING APE® debuted its first runway showcase in China, gracing Shanghai with a spectacular introduction of the Fall/Winter 2024 collection. Highlighting its distinguished sub-brands: AAPE, BAPE BLACK®, BAPY®, APEE, and MR. BATHING APE®, this momentous event at the vibrant and contemporary Shanghai Expo-I Pavilion marked the brand’s third historic show, where avant-garde street culture harmonised with magnificent Eastern artistry.

BAPE® has now officially revealed its Fall/Winter 2024 collection. The collection is categorised into two main themes: “Subculture Aesthetic” and “Campus Life” which include trend-setting pieces together with the brand’s essential and archival pieces, while the women’s collection incorporates playful elements like hearts and tulips, exuding vibrant atmospheres through themes like “I Love BAPE®” and “Noughties Girls.” Combining inclusivity and creative passion, the collections are able to elevate contemporary clothing designs that exude opulent vibes, offering distinctive fashion expressions to the industry.

Drawing inspiration from hip-hop music, party culture, soccer, college lifestyle, and the new pop culture, this collection breaks boundaries for hi-streetwear fashion. With commitment to offering quintessential craftsmanship, the Fall/Winter 2024 collection presents an assortment of innovative designs emerging patterns such as the seasonal highlights, Marbling Camo, Lux Sport Pattern, Floral Camo, STA Houndstooth Pattern, Japanese Tattoo Camo, together with brand’s iconic pattern, BAPE® Check and ABC CAMO.

From classic outerwear to cutting-edge sportswear, the collection offers a diverse array of garments that seamlessly blend style and functionality. Each piece in the collection embodies the spirit of self-expression and individuality, showcasing BAPE®’s unwavering commitment to delivering its distinctive style to a global audience. To highlight, 2024 marks the 20th Anniversary of the iconic Shark Full Zip Hoodie, a series of activations and product lineups will be introduced throughout the season.

The “Subculture Aesthetic” theme takes on hip-hop music, party culture and the new pop culture combining elements of what’s hyped in the industry and staying true to the roots of streetwear. Introducing Marbling Camo, one of the seasonal highlight patterns is a derived form from signature BAPE® ABC CAMO blending in a vibrant artistic style of marbling painting effect. From the iconic Shark Parka and classic Snowboard Jacket to Oversized Garment Dye Sweatpants, each piece with Marbling Camo showcases bold color tones and meticulous craftsmanship, unleashing BAPE®’s unique style allure and visual impact.

Dubbed the Lux Sport Pattern, items like Puffer Jacket, Tracksuit and Denim are all injected with this seasonal highlight pattern as well, and the application of the patterns on essential items allows for more styling combinations. The theme also draws inspiration from traditional Japanese tattoo techniques called “Wabori”, blending graphics of the Japanese guardian dog “Komainu” and Paeonia flower, known as “Botan” in Japanese and applying to the classic Shark Full Zip Hoodie.

Some core pieces draw inspiration from military-wear and versatile functional wear. In this theme, the ever-classic 1st CAMO is redesigned on various forms of fabrics. The collection incorporates nylon materials and heavy-wash garment dye techniques to capture the essence of military wear, featuring highlighted items such as Kimono Jacket and MA-1. The collection tends to elevate the iconic camo patterns and graphics to provide silhouette-centric items, such as MA-1, Mega ABC Camo Puffer Jacket and Down Jacket.

The theme “Campus Life” is centred on college life and campus culture, combining Y2K school life with diverse college sports elements. The theme heavily features Floral Camo, another seasonal highlight pattern, and is enhanced by the inclusion of vibrant colours. The pattern is also widely applied to an array of items such as Lightweight Jacket, Shark Full Zip Hoodie and Sweatpants. To infuse a sense of fall and winter, jacquard Terry fabrics, Mohair fabrics and unique craftsmanship such as garment dyes and bead embellishment are incorporated. Clothing crafted with STA Houndstooth Pattern exudes the styles of how college students used to wear faculty-exclusive merchandise to different occasions in college.