A Bathing Ape (ア・ベイシング・エイプ, A Beishingu Eipu) (or BAPE) is a Japanese clothing brand founded by Nigo in 1993. The brand specializes in men's, women's and children's lifestyle and street wear, running 19 stores in Japan, including Bape Stores, Bape Pirate Stores, Bape Kids Stores, Bapexclusive Aoyama, and Bapexclusive Kyoto. The Kyoto store also includes Bape Gallery, a space used for various events and art shows sponsored by Bape.