A Bathing Ape is a Japanese clothing company founded in 1993, in Tokyo, by an entrepreneur/designer called Nigo. The clothing line was based on urban/hip hop style of attire. The logo of the brand is a face of an ape, which has been derived from the movie 'Planet of the Apes.' The brand's name is derived from a popular Japanese saying, 'bathing in lukewarm water.' The clothing was basically targeted at the Japanese youth, who were fascinated by street wear.

The Bathing Ape hoody is a popular product; their limited editions make them even more in demand. Besides the purple camo Bathing Ape hoody, the popular Bathing Ape hoody is the shark hoody that can be zipped all the way up to cover the entire face. The company has set a trend in hooded jackets, and many other famous brands have following their footsteps. The number of hoodies or t-shirts made by Bathing Ape clothing does not exceed 100; hence the chance of someone else wearing the same outfit is rare. That is one of the reasons why many celebrities prefer wearing this brand to maintain exclusivity of their clothes.

Rappers and artists such as Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Young Jeezy, and many DJs wear this brand of clothing, among others. A Bathing Ape items being limited in production are priced highly and much in demand. The company's first store was opened in New York City, in 2004. Today, BAPE has almost 25 outlets, including a members-only store, in Hong Kong.