BAPE's definition is simple — it stands for A Bathing Ape and there are two meanings behind this. Firstly. it's an homage to Nigo's favorite film. Planet of the Apes. And secondly. it's a reference to the Japanese idiom 'a bathing ape in lukewarm water'. a tongue-in-cheek nod to the overindulgence of the young streetwear consumer. The brand specializes in men's. women's and children's lifestyle and street wear. running 19 stores in Japan. including Bape Stores. Bape Pirate Stores. Bape Kids Stores. Bapexclusive Aoyama. and Bapexclusive Kyoto.