Nigo is LEAVING BAPE???

WHAT?? NIGO is LEAVING BAPE???
this is the most shocking story I've heard ever since I know street wear... ever since I know *A Bathing Ape... BAPE or whatever name you know it...

apparently... the news is true and that effective from 1st April (it's not an april fool's joke!)... Nigo has resigned as the President of Nowhere Co. Ltd., the post he left vacant has been filled in by the Vice-President 日比野正雄.

the news have been confirmed by Nigo himself in a magazine interview... after celebrating the 3rd anniversary of BAPE Store in Hong Kong recently, he has travelled directly to Singapore to have a holiday... (staying at Capella Resort in Sentosa Island at the moment!! go hunt for him!!)

anyway, back to the news Nigo has left Nowhere... apparently, the idea behind his move is because he would like to see BAPE continue to develop as a brand on it's own, to have a stronger image... just like LV, Gucci and etc... he would like to see the equation of Nigo = BAPE to be gone one day and that people knows & remembers BAPE as a brand...

Nigo apparently has thought that he did not run Nowhere/ BAPE very well... especially in terms of business development/ management (what the hell is he talking about?? who does not know BAPE???)... therefore, he thinks it's time for someone else, someone with a stronger management skill to run Nowhere/ BAPE, and continue to develop BAPE...

well... to be honest... I don't know if this would work out the way Nigo would like it to be... but, think for yourself... BAPE exists because of Nigo... it is what it is today because of Nigo... the brand stands out because of Nigo... if Nigo is no longer there... what will BAPE be??

anyway, Nigo has mentioned that he will still oversee the design works of BAPE... so, hopefully nothing much will change... except that we may be able to get BAPE at a Japanese departmental store locally soon!! is this a dream?? hahaha

one thing for sure... Nigo will always be remembered as the father of BAPE...