- Words Matilda Carnall
Subculture icon Fred Perry team up with Japanese streetwear label A Bathing Ape for their second-ever collaboration.
Fusing Fred Perry silhouettes with A Bathing Ape’s iconic camouflage print results in a five-piece collection ready to forge its own subculture. The three signature styles are Fred’s famous polo, a laurel wreath-taped track jacket and hooded sweatshirts in BAPE’s go-to purple hue, as well as a more toned-down grey and black. The crossing over of the two brands’ DNA can be seen quite literally in the side-by-side embroidered wreath and ape logo.
Fred Perry has come to be known for its place within the classic British uniform, having evolved from its introduction as a functional sportswear brand. Truly cemented within modern subcultures, it has produced a smorgasbord of successful tie-ups with the likes of Amy Winehouse, Raf Simons and Nicholas Daley – and this crossover is no exception.
Teaming up with A Bathing Ape is a fresh take, calling in both fans of Japanese streetwear and their own loyal following. BAPE was born out of Tokyo, having first opened its doors in 1993. It soon became a cult name in the Urahara scene, recognised for its flashy aesthetic and rapper-approved designs. And in the mid-noughties, BAPE hit the mainstream alongside the ongoing support from musician Pharrell and a footwear collab with Kanye West. Fast forward to today, love for the make hasn’t gone away – its prevalence reflected by its continued status in the streetwear community.
Fred Perry X A Bathing Ape 2023 is a physical representation of both labels’ timelessness, from Fred’s craftsmanship to BAPE’s iconic visuals. It is available from Saturday 11th March in selected Fred Perry shops, BAPE’s Mayfair shop and online.
