The Japanese label A Bathing Ape, or BAPE as it is frequently known, has been at the forefront of hip hop culture since its inception in 1993. With a penchant for bold colours and prints, the designs within the label have attracted some of the more flamboyant names in hip hop to collaborate with them on pieces, such as Pharrell Williams and Kid Cudi. It comes as no surprise then, that the latest artist from the hip hop stratosphere to collaborate with BAPE is the Gucci baiting, Bay Area rapper Kreayshawn.

Kreayshawn herself makes no secret of her love for cartoon prints and all things Hello Kitty, and after being introduced to BAPE bosses early this year by Cipha Sounds, got straight to creating something for their collaboration. On the match up, Kreayshawn said “I’m so blessed to have a BAPE collab. I love the fashion and the culture this label has always had behind it”.

The design itself is linked to A Bathing Ape’s ‘Baby Milo’ series, the front emblazoned with a cartoon avatar version of Kreayshawn, with the label’s Milo character hiding behind her. The reverse displays the collab’s logo on the neck, with the title of Kreayshawn’s forthcoming album, ‘Somethin’ Bout Kreay’’ on the back.

At the label’s flagship store in London, an event was held to celebrate the release of the collab, with Kreayshawn hosting an album listening party in store for all those who were lucky enough to get their hands on the limited stock before she performed at YoYo at Notting Hill Arts Club that night.

At the same time as promoting ‘Somethin’ Bout Kreay’’, released on August 14th, Kreayshawn is currently touring Europe, playing Wireless Festival on the 8th July.

You can order the Kreayshawn x BAPE collab from http://eu.bape.com for £70

All pictures by Tatyana Alexandra

Words: Mitch Stevens

This entry was tagged as A Bathing Ape, bape, Kreayshawn.