Tequila

On the subject of Dunks, does anyone know a website and/or magazine that would have a picture gallery of all of them - past and present? I know that HK/Jpnese mags do those sometimes.

Quote: "BTW, just for general info...Nigo doesn't design most of the tees himself."

Probably not, I kinda suspected this. He's just glad to collect the profits so he can swim in a sea of $$$. For me he still is the ultimate marketing/brand management genius, not a designer one.

Buying a crisp white tee with some small image for close to $100 seems silly to me. Hell, even a price tag of $50-60 (for a Diesel T for example) gets me seriously thinking. Although I'm still feeling some of the "designs", like this --> http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/ace-web/img1038976194.jpeg or this --> http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/ace-web/img1038975752.jpeg. But with this (http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/ace-web/img10381024502.jpeg) or this (http://image.www.rakuten.co.jp/ace-web/img10381015578.jpeg) - sheesh! It seems like they're not even trying... 5 mins of work on the Photoshop.

Would you spend close to $90 on this --> http://www.stay246.com/APE2/APE-T-NYC-megami4.jpg It's the 'commemorative' nyc launch tee.

OMGWTFLOL.

I'm struggling with the same problem myself... I don't want to wear any of those Merrell/casual winter boot type thingies, or Timberlands (or the look-a-likes), because they look wack and every other guy seems to be wearing them. On the other hand, I don't want to constantly be sliding and freezing my a** (or toes...) off. The Adidas might be okay, but it's close to 300 Euros here.

Quote: nigo. have you ever seen photos of his house!?! its "friggen sweet!

Do you know a website or sth that has pictures? I heard it was featured on some TV show also, do you know if it's available for download?

Quote: Nigo made it to time magazine's Asian heroes list! wtf?).

Well, he created an entire multi-million empire, from scratch, from his Planet Of The Apes fandom, combining familiar elements (the camo pattern), and clever marketing (or the lack thereof). So I guess he could be justifiably considered a "role model".

Would someone (living in Tokyo/Japan) be interested in buying some for me, then shipping it using airmail? I could pay with PayPal or similar.

(By the way, Concept Shop has this tee-> http://www.conceptshop.com.hk/clothes/2004/9-13Sep/apenycopen1L.htm for sale, so maybe it really is opening soon...)

Edited by Tequila on Oct 10, 2004 at 03:34 AM

How much (in $$$) are new Bapesta's in Tokyo nowadays? Size 10 - 11. Like these Ultra Sta's (http://www.busyten.com/photos/big/15092004094433.jpg) or these Silver-Gold Bapesta's (http://www.busyten.com/photos/big/25082004042810.jpg)?

Hey does anyone know what was the name of the campaign for cheaper hotel prices that ran (at least) during this summer? I think at least Metropolis Tokyo had it mentioned, but I can't seem to find it...

Hasn't condom use been down in Tokyo (& Japan) recently? Maybe this will correct the situation...probably not. People will just end up collecting them...

Hasn't it been opened yet? I thought it had... (-don't live in NYC at the moment) If not, when's the opening?

I know, Dubai is the "shopping Mecca", but what do you recommend? Fashionwise, is it just brands like Gucci/Prada/D&G/Versace? Diesel at least has a couple of stores there... Any suggestions are welcome.

Some "pass the hatorade" follows...

To me it's surprising how long Nigo has been able to keep the brand succesful (and how many millions of $$$ he's earned doing it). Keeping in mind that the basic concept for the brand was (is?) initially based on familiar elements/designs: the Planet of the Apes franchise, a camo pattern and even the ape head logo (I think it's some public domain clip art even, I could be wrong about that, though). And of course not forgetting the huuuge price tag.

Just think about the Bapesta sneakers - an exact carbon copy of AF1's with a star (or "Sta"...) instead of the Nike emblem. OK, the various colorways have been delicious, but the price tag of $250-350 hasn't.

As for Nigo's talents as I designer, well I haven't been too convinced about those. Okay, there have been some exceptions, but there's also been a lot of left-handed stuff. I mean, just take a look at this new design for the Bape Sounds Tee (http://www.busyten.com/photos/big/22042004092535.jpg) - cheesh! That looks like something a 10-year old kid came up with while fiddling with Photoshop's effects.

My opinion is, that the only thing Nigo is a genius of, is brand management and marketing (or lack thereof!). You'll have to give the man props for creating a whole empire from a love for Planet Of The Apes, high priced limited edition items and a whole lot of street hype.

Edited by Tequila on Jun 13, 2004 at 11:01 AM