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BAPE HITS MELROSE AVENUE.
- Article from:
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Daily News Record
- Article date:
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April 28, 2008
- Author:
- Harmon, Andrew
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Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2008 Fairchild Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Andrew Harmon
LOS ANGELES - Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garons isn't the only Japanese designer to spark a retail frenzy in Los Angeles with a new conceptual boutique.
Fellow Tokyo native Nigo, founder of the cult streetwear brand A Bathing Ape, has hollowed out the former Costume National boutique on Melrose Avenue, replacing European austerity with Harajuku-inspired neon lights, a podlike lounge area encircled by sleek metal and a 15-foot-tall pair of jeans fitting for-need it be said?-King Kong. (The label's name was actually inspired in part by another primate classic: Planet of the Apes.)
Bathing Ape, or BAPE, joins a growing contingent of influential ...