Bangkok--Feb 23--Francom Asia
Airtimes: Sat, February 25 at 1100 and 2130
Sun, February 26 at 0000, 0730, 1830 and 2200
Mon, February 27 at 0400 and 1030
TALK ASIA visits Tokyo this weekend where Lorraine Hahn talks with Japanese DJ and style icon Nigo — the man behind the cult brand Bathing Ape (BAPE). Nigo started the BAPE phenomenon in Tokyo’s trendy Harajuku district, from where it has expanded to become an international symbol of Japanese street-credibility with stores in New York and London.
BAPE derives its name from the popular Japanese saying “a bathing ape in lukewarm water.” It is, as Nigo explains, “a reference to the young generation being spoiled, pampered and too complacent.” Ironically, it’s these same young people who have made the signature ape and camouflage prints so popular. Not wanting to be categorized as just a clothing company, the creator’s ultimate goal is to make BAPE a complete lifestyle. The company already encompasses music, a hair salon and caf?s, while future plans for the brand include “offering services that would make life more convenient for people”. At the same time however, Nigo wants to maintain BAPE’s exclusivity by not having “too many people wearing the same thing…we’re not interested in increasing the number of sales per design”.
The designer credits American rap group Run DMC with sparking his interest in fashion and music. From DJing to designing, Nigo’s inspirations are personal: “the clothes I wear and the music I make or listen to are all based on my own feelings and preferences. To me, trends are things made up by the media.” Trend or not, the growing company is set to maintain its appeal and further expand in Asia and the United States.
For more information please contact:
Nuttaporn Tangwongsan
Francom Asia Ltd.
Tel. (66) 02 233 4329 / 30 / 38 / 39 , 02 267 0820, 02 636 8339
Fax (66) 02 236 8030
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.francomasia.com
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net End.