Heron Preston unveils a limited capsule collaboration with BAPE®, a journey where HERON PRESTON X BAPE® the cross cultural design language meets the icons of American hip-hop with a unique Japanese streetwear aesthetic.
Digging deep into the BAPE® archives, Preston reimagines the cult classics that inspired a generation when the brand first emerged in the zeitgeist - SHARK HOODIES, BAPE® CAMO, APE HEAD and the BAPESTA. The collection stays true to Heron Preston’s “instant language” design principle that faithfully preserves the heritage and history of each of the garments by simply adding to them.
The APE HEAD graphic t-shirts nod to the early screen print designs of BAPE® from the late 90s. A meticulous approach to the placement and finish honors these original designs with high and low effects that emulate the naive screen prints look while the heads are positioned across the rib neckline on the shirt.
A workwear jacket and utility pants signal the duality between the two brands, introducing Heron Preston’s subversive take on workwear uniforms. The coordinated set is printed with throwback gestures like “Ape Shall Never Kill Ape” as well as BAPE®’s 1st yellow camo and colorful purple COLOR camo to create a unique two tone effect. This is how Heron Preston blended the DNA of his brand with BAPE® to create something new and unique.
The collection also includes the full-zip SHARK HOODIE, which is complimented with coordinated sweatpants. Staying true to the brand's heritage, each of the fleece items are produced by Japanese factories that have an enduring relationship with BAPE®. Both the hoodie and sweatpants are printed with BAPE®’s famous STA, a signature icon in the world of BAPESTA.
Outside of the clothing and accessories, the infamous BAPESTA sneaker is faithfully reworked in Heron Preston’s signature orange. The sneaker is crafted out of premium leather with a canvas accent printed using
a tonal BAPE CAMO. Each sneaker is branded with mismatched BAPE® and Heron Preston labels.
In 2015, Preston created his own homage to BAPE® with the “Street Sweeper” sneaker, an unauthorized remix of the BAPESTA. Inspired by BAPE®’s original concept, Preston’s Street Sweeper remixed a pair of his own sneakers by replacing the design with a custom BAPESTA logo monogram fabric. Though only 10 styles were ever produced, the concept traveled around the internet and captured the attention of BAPE® representatives. Four years later in 2019 Heron Preston received a call from BAPE® to do an official collaboration together.
In addition to each of the products, a special collection of collaborative zip bags and hang tags for packaging have been created to perfectly round out the line-up. Each of the products are also branded with Heron Preston’s signature orange labels, produced by the same supplier that makes Heron Preston labels to maintain the design integrity.
The collection will be available starting Friday, May 6th at US.BAPE.COM and heronpreston.com and on Saturday, May 7th and at select BAPE® stores worldwide.
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