EXCLUSIVE: Bape Opens Chicago Flagship, Its Fifth U.S. Store
Bape is expanding its retail footprint.
The streetwear brand is opening its latest flagship on Wednesday in Chicago, marking the brand’s fifth store in the U.S. Located at 113 East Oak Street, the 5,000-square-foot space spans two floors and is designed as a “tribute to the creativity, boldness and futuristic thinking of both the brand and the city,” according to Bape.
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“Our stores are a reflection of the neighborhoods that they serve and the communities creating culture in their city and beyond,” said Bape global chief executive officer Mahmoud El Salahy. “The Bape store in Chicago sits at the intersection of luxury and creativity in one of the most renowned retail destinations of the city.”
Bape is teaming up with a group of global artists for the store’s design, including Indonesian contemporary artist Arkiv Vilmansa and graffiti artist Josh “Stash” Franklin. Vilmansa has created artwork marrying his signature cartoon-like images with Bape’s design codes, while Franklin leveraged his painting style and blended it with Bape’s camouflage motif.
In line with its other flagships, Bape will also offer an exclusive Bape Store Chicago camo capsule collection, which includes T-shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, accessories and souvenirs designed in a red and blue colorway. The collection’s campaign is fronted by streetwear designer Don C, who is a Chicago native.
“Don C is a hometown hero and a longtime friend of the brand, so it made sense that he would help bring this special location to life with us,” said Kendra Palmer, head of North America at Bape. “We are excited to have him as the face of our first Chicago campaign featuring our unique camo capsule.”
The Chicago flagship is Bape’s latest initiative. Earlier this year, Bape teamed with MCM for a Lunar New Year collection, which built on the brands’ debut collaboration from 2019. Last year, Bape also celebrated its 30th anniversary with a runway show in New York City.
Launch Gallery: Inside Bape's Chicago Flagship
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