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Tag: A Bathing Ape

  • Mainland China, US and Japan fuel I.T Group sales growth

    Mainland China, US and Japan fuel I.T Group sales growth

    I.T Group sales slipped in the company’s home market, but the fashion retailer is achieving high growth in Mainland China, the US and Japan. Unaudited sales data for the three months to November show an 8.5 per cent year-on-year improvement in Japan and the US and 6.8 per cent growth on the mainland. Hong Kong and Macau sales slipped by 1.8 per cent in the same period.

    Figures for the nine months to November are even better in the US and Japan, up 11.1 per cent, while sales growth in the home market reached 4.8 per cent and on the mainland 1 per cent.

    I.T Group operates its own brands, including Chocoolate and 5cm, concept stores Izzue and Double-Park; international brands it has local licences for including Kurt Geiger and Camper; and A Bathing Ape, which the company rescued from Japanese owners in 2011.

    Chairman Sham Kar Wai said “complex macroeconomic conditions” affected the business in all three regions during the third quarter.

    “Our Hong Kong and Macau operations registered negative same-store sales growth as a result of multiple typhoons, and weaker consumption appetite during the period. In contrast, our Mainland China business delivered positive same-store sales growth, and our Japan and  the US regions continued to progress on a positive trend.”

    He said the group continued to execute measures to safeguard its gross margin, including holding back discounting.

    “However, enhancements to gross margin was overshadowed by the negative impact of the depreciation of currencies of our merchandise purchase. As a result, gross margin decreased during the period.”

    Sham Kar Wai said the company has been even more cautious about the overall operating environment over the last few months, as the recent escalation of trade dispute between Mainland China and the US has cast “greater uncertainties on the future economic outlook”. “Moreover, the warm weather in Hong Kong and Macau may further weigh negatively on the consumer spending momentum across the region.”

  • Exclusives for I.T’s 30th anniversary

    Exclusives for I.T’s 30th anniversary

    I.T has been in fashion retail in Hong Kong and China for over 30 years, offering a wide designer portfolio.It is renowned for curating collections across international womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle that is tailored meticulously for the Greater China customer.

    At the turn of the century, I.T opened its first China flagship in Shanghai, one of China’s fastest growing markets.

    In 2017, the company launched its multi-brand fashion lifestyle platform ITeSHOP.

    “I.T now sets sight on creating a seamless omni-channel experience that will define the future of fashion” said Kar-Wai Sham, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of I.T Group.

    To envisage the digital landscape that will shape the next 30 years, I.T took the opportunity to invite its community of brands partners and creative talents to share their vision of the future.

    Their perspectives are expressed through a series of exclusive designs, capsule collections, artistic compilations and digital exhibitions that bids the viewer to visualise the future.

    I.T’s 30 th Anniversary Exhibition integrates a see-now-buy-now approach, with live digital kiosks and a shoppable app for exhibition-goers to fully immerse in an authentic digital shopping experience.

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  • Baby Milo Launched Pets Collection Pop-Up Store

    Baby Milo Launched Pets Collection Pop-Up Store

    Japanese apparel brand A Bathing Ape has opened a Baby Milo petwear pop-up in Hong Kong. The pop-up features a ball pool out front for canine friends to play in while attendant humans shop, as well as a quieter pet space out back. Also highlighted in-store is a Baby Milo dog tag engraving station and a flipbook photobooth.

    The pop-up is offering soft goods and toys for pets, including beds, chew toys, leashes, carry bags, and towels, among others.

    The pop-up will run until November 18 at 19 Old Bailey Street, Soho, from noon to 7pm.

    A Bathing Ape is owned by Hong Kong’s I.T Group.

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  • Mastermind and A Bathing Ape first concept store opens door

    Mastermind and A Bathing Ape first concept store opens door

    Mastermind and A Bathing Ape have collaborated to open their first crossover concept store in Hong Kong.

    The store, which opened on Saturday in Causeway Bay, features a streetwear collection from the two Japanese brands.

    Decked out in black and white with accents of gold, the store combines the “gothic underworld” of Mastermind with A Bathing Ape’s neon-highlighted fun persona. Marble is used extensively in both the interior and exterior, with metallic racks to create “a sophisticated and imposing atmosphere” according to a spokesperson for the brands.

    “A concrete visual wall embodies the brand’s rebellious spirit while the artfully placed Japanese window blinds add a refined touch from Japan. The op-art style ‘Y’ patterned tile flooring appears to extend endlessly to promote a mysterious and sci-fi sense of scale.” Another highlight is the mastermind x Mobile Suit Gundam Zaku figure in black with the brand’s unique skull and crossbones logo at the entrance.

    Mastermind was conceived by Masaaki Homma in Japan 1997 after eight years as a Yohji Yamamoto sales representative. The name Mastermind Japan stems from ‘M’asaaki and his tribute to his father who is a master hairdresser. The brand’s skull logo “symbolises the battle between good and evil, which underscores the ethos of the brand saying ‘Don’t Give Up Your Dream Until You Die’,” Homma explains.

    Mastermind Japan shut its doors in 2013 with a view to focusing on collaborative projects but later re-entered the fashion scene with the shorter ‘Mastermind’ brand name.

    The military-inspired Mastermind and A Bathing Ape 2018 Fall-Winter capsule collection launched in the new store features a series of hooded sweatshirts, short-sleeved t-shirts, shorts, cap and mask emblazoned with the codes of both brands: camouflage, skull and shark head.

    View the gallery below (5 images) :

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  • I.T group positive sales despite store closures

    I.T group positive sales despite store closures

    Improved consumer sentiment across Greater China and strong sales growth in Hong Kong helped boost third-quarter business for Hong Kong multi-brand fashion group I.T Limited.

    With fewer discounts offered, the group also enhanced its gross margin for the three months to the end of November.

    However, store closures continued in Hong Kong in the face of a persistent upsurge in running costs, causing downward pressure on sales.

    I.T Group operates its own brands, including Chocolate and 5cm, concept stores Izzue and Double-Park; international brands it has local licences for including Kurt Geiger and Camper; and A Bathing Ape, which the company rescued from Japanese owners in 2011.

    While comparable-store sales growth in Hong Kong and Macau rose 2.4 per cent for the quarter, there was a 3.9 per cent dip for the first nine months.

    For Japan and the US, sales growth soared by 25.5 per cent for the quarter and 30.7 per cent for the nine months, while for China the growth was 1.5 and 1.1 per cent respectively.

    Gross profit margin for the quarter was up 1.6 points to 62.9 per cent in Hong Kong and Macau, edging up 0.8 points to 60.9 per cent for the nine months.

    For Japan and the US, the margin fell 0.8 points to 68.9 per cent, and eased 0.1 points to 70.8 per cent for the nine months, while in Mainland China it edged up 0.3 points to 64.8 per cent for the quarter, and rose 2.1 points to 62.8 per cent for the nine months.

    For the group overall, the rise was 1 point to 64.9 per cent for the quarter, and 1.6 points to 63.4 per cent for the nine months.

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  • 2nd STREET USA to Launch Its First US Store

    2nd STREET USA to Launch Its First US Store

    Japanese used-clothing market 2nd Street USA has set up shop in the US.

    A subsidiary of Tokyo-based GEO Holdings, 2nd Street USA has opened on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Selling and buying goods, it offers men’s and women’s clothing as well as accessories.

    Among the assortment are designer labels like Burberry, MCM and Supreme, along with “big-in-Japan” brands A Bathing Ape, Comme des Garçons and Porter. There is also Kurofine, a clothing line produced by Kyoto Montsuki which recycles used clothing items with a special dyeing process.

    It is 2nd Street’s first venture outside of Japan, where it has 578 stores. The company plans two more stores for California by March next year, and aims to expand to 10 stores in the US by 2020.

    CEO Masahiro Kikuchi says all goods are carefully chosen for quality, and the store offers attentive service.

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  • BAPE Celebrates Lunar New Year With Year of the Dog Collection

    BAPE Celebrates Lunar New Year With Year of the Dog Collection

    2018 is just around the corner with Lunar New Year celebrations to follow in February. To commemorate the upcoming holiday, Japanese magnate BAPE is once again dropping its Chinese zodiac designs to celebrate the “Year of the Dog.” The collection features the label’s iconic APE head motif alongside a dog spread across black, red and white tees and crewnecks. The capsule will also include apparel decorated with BAPE’s sidekick Baby Milo dressed like dog on hoodies and tees in both adult and kids sizing.

    The items will land in BAPE retailers and online on Saturday, January 6 ranging from ¥4,600 JPY for a kids T-shirt to ¥19,800 JPY for the pullover hoodie (approximately $41 USD to $175 USD). In case you’ve missed it, BAPE’s Double Shark Hoodie is a game changer.

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  • Heineken Partners With A Bathing Ape For Its Capsule Collection

    Heineken Partners With A Bathing Ape For Its Capsule Collection

    Hong Kong-owned A Bathing Ape has been chosen by brewing giant Heineken as its partner for this year’s #Heineken100 program, its eighth collaboration with a retail fashion brand.

    The two companies have created a capsule collection of four co-branded fashion items: a hoodie, coach jacket, t-shirt and a six-pack bottle carrier.

    Unlike previous years – when the creations were gifted only to the 100 most influential beer drinks around the globe – this year consumers can buy the merchandise at a one-day only popup in New York. The store will be open in Japanese gastropub Izakaya in Manhattan’s East Village neighborhood in New York on Tuesday (December 12).

    Last year, Heineken collaborated with luggage brand Tumi to create a series of essential travel products. Other previous partners include Public School, Garrett Leight, Union Los Angeles, Parabellum, Mark McNairy, Kith and Neighborhood Japan.

    “The goal of the #Heineken100 program has always been to connect the brand with people who drive culture forward,” said Coltrane Curtis, founder and managing partner of Team Epiphany, the marketing agency behind the initiative. “This year, we listened to the fans. By opening up #Heineken100 to New Yorkers, we’re able to directly engage with consumers in one of the most influential cities in the world.”

    “This year’s #Heineken100 campaign brings together two brands with global ubiquity, whose consumers have a taste for luxury and innovation,” added Raul Esquer Lopez, Heineken USA brand manager. “We’re thrilled to partner with Bape, an iconic brand that shares a history of inventiveness through creating highly-aspirational imports for the man of the world.”

    The half-zip pullover hoodie will sell for US$399, the camo coach jacket for $413, the t-shirt for $112 and the cooler for $115. All feature dual branding.

    Bape is owned by Hong Kong’s I.T. Group.

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  • A Bathing Ape launches online store

    A Bathing Ape launches online store

    Established in Tokyo in 1993, street-fashion brand A Bathing Ape has launched a global online store.

    Also known as Bape, the brand is known for its graphics, patterns and characters such as “Ape Head”, “Bape Camo”, “Bape Sta”, “Shark Hoodie” and “Baby Milo”. The  brand has expanded from being a men’s line to include women’s and children’s items.

    Bape has stores throughout Japan, in the UK and US, Hong Kong, China and other regions in Asia. BapeOnline is initially available for customers in Europe, with plans to expand to a more worldwide presence soon. To celebrate the launch, a special limited-edition t-shirt is being offered.

    A Bathing Ape was created by Nowhere Co, in the Tokyo suburb of Harajuku, and continues to expand with Bape Store, BapeExclusive, Bape Kids and A Bathing Ape Pirate Store.

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  • A Bathing Ape launches online store

    A Bathing Ape launches online store

    Established in Tokyo in 1993, street-fashion brand A Bathing Ape has launched a global online store.

    Also known as Bape, the brand is known for its graphics, patterns and characters such as “Ape Head”, “Bape Camo”, “Bape Sta”, “Shark Hoodie” and “Baby Milo”. The  brand has expanded from being a men’s line to include women’s and children’s items.

    Bape has stores throughout Japan, in the UK and US, Hong Kong, China and other regions in Asia. BapeOnline is initially available for customers in Europe, with plans to expand to a more worldwide presence soon. To celebrate the launch, a special limited-edition t-shirt is being offered.

    A Bathing Ape was created by Nowhere Co, in the Tokyo suburb of Harajuku, and continues to expand with Bape Store, BapeExclusive, Bape Kids and A Bathing Ape Pirate Store.

  • Aape popping up with New Year offers

    Aape popping up with New Year offers

    Aape by A Bathing Ape, a diffusion label under the Japanese streetwear brand, is launching its Chinese New Year collection at a week-long pop-up store at Ion Orchard in Singapore.

    Running from January 14 to 22, the store will offer exclusive merchandise and a limited-edition womenswear range with such items as t-shirts and hoodies.

    The line focuses on relaxed, casual separates with a youthful, sporty vibe, says Female magazine. The women’s range features a camouflage print in pink and red, plus a black, gold and white version.