Collaborations
END. X A BATHING APE "BOWLING"
28 November 2022END. and A Bathing Ape join forces for the first time to create “Bowling”: a 7-piece collection inspired by the legendary target sport.
Marking a milestone moment in END.’s collaborative history, the British retailer partners with Ura-Hara icon, A Bathing Ape, for the first time. The collection, which is titled “Bowling”, is heavily inspired by the legendary target sport and the fashion, culture and aesthetics associated with it.
Since the early days, A Bathing Ape has held a deep appreciation for vintage Americana, with its distinctive style codes forming an integral part of the Japanese label’s identity. END. and A Bathing Ape channel that with their inaugural collection, weaving elements of Americana and bowling references throughout the capsule.
Naturally, a 1950s-inspired bowling shirt sits at the centre of the capsule, which is coloured in off-white and burgundy and detailed with collection-bespoke prints either side — a bowling ape at the back, embroidered-effect co-branding at the chest. The collection’s varsity jacket takes on a similar approach, with a two-tone, wool and leather construction and a large, bowling-inspired graphic at the back. The playfulness continues with the tees, too, which are printed with everything from bowling balls and pins to the year the Ura-Hara label was founded.
The footwear, meanwhile, sees A Bathing Ape’s legendary BAPESTA brought under the spotlight, with a makeover that’s reminiscent of the signature shoes worn at bowling alleys. The most notable feature comes by way of its split-colour construction, with burgundy down one half and dark green down the other. Further bespoke details include chrome, END.-branded lace stays, as well as printed co-branding at the insoles. The collection is completed with bespoke bowling balls and pins, which feature BAPE’s ever-iconic ape motif printed on them to really drive home the collection’s theme.
The END. x A Bathing Ape “Bowling” collection will launch via END. Launches on the 3rd December.
writerEND.
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