The New A Bathing Ape Store in Los Angeles
May 12, 2008 - By Bobby Solomon - Category: Architecture & Clothing & Design
A couple weeks ago I was driving down Melrose heading toward the Beverly Center when I was shocked to see a pink, neon glow that I hadn’t seen before. Bear in mind I’m driving at dusk, a little after the sun had set, so this was BRIGHT. As I get closer I realize that this has to be the brand new A Bathing Ape store that has been in the process of opening forever.
For the five you who’ve never heard of A Bathing Ape, it’s basically this cult clothing brand in Japan, mostly because of it’s limited edition t-shirts and sneakers. Is it really all that exciting? I personally don’t think so, but Nigo, the man behind A Bathing Ape, is pretty smart and has come up with some great designs over the years. So while you won’t see me shopping there any time soon, it was still exciting to come upon.
The store was created by one of the best architecture/design firms companies out there, Wonderwall. I’ve been a huge fan of Wonderwall’s work for years now, so it’s exciting to have something of theirs here in Los Angeles. It’s a lot like the other BAPE stores out there, a lot of glass and patterns and neon, but it’s pretty cool in person. While I was taking photos there was a couple taking Facebook photos from the reflected neon light, so I thought that was funny.
Check under the cut for a bunch more photos!
Bobby
Comments
If you've got something to say, keep it positive.I went there today. That place is amazing!!
Looks pretty great. This one and the one I saw in Shibuya last month are a lot flashier /more colorful & neon than the one here (SoHo NYC)… wonder who did this one? Here are two from Tokyo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johannaonvideo/2412593659/in/set-72157604499611803/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johannaonvideo/2413419738/in/set-72157604499611803/
I’m pretty sure Wonderwall does them all. I’ve been to the one in SoHo and it’s just really tall and shiny. I think the stairwell was really rad, but I can’t remember what I liked about it…
that neon is fantastic!
The store looks phenomenal. Beautiful displays. I am just not a fan though. Their shoes are hideous and so is their clothing. It taps into some creepy, I refuse to grow up and want my clothing to look like I am still 12 thing that I just can’t wrap my head around. Sometimes no matter how hard someone tries to get me to believe something is cool, I still have a hard time believing it. It just seems like hype to me, no matter how shiny a package you put around it. When you get to the center its just empty sugar. It seems like a fad that will be here and gone pretty quick.
Beautiful pictures!
too bad it looks bigger from the outside then when you get inside it’s quite small…the giant pair of jeans and all the ‘vintage’ stuff behind the wall of glass is impressive.