First teased when KidSuper facilitated Bape’s first ever showing at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year, the duo have officially confirmed the release details for their debut SS25 collection, referred to as “A Super Ape”.
BAPE By KidSuper marks the first project under an exclusive “collaboration tier” called the BAPE Collective, a new initiative introduced by BAPE in 2025 as part of its strategy to further monopolise the collaboration game, giving their partners the unique opportunity to dive deeper into the brand’s archives and reimagine BAPE icons and patterns through their own respective lenses.
Unlike BAPE’s most recent adidas Superstar collection, “A Super Ape” attempts to reinvent the collaborative wheel by exploring the more artistic applications of the biggest name in Japanese streetwear, helped by the multi-disciplinary approach of Colm Dillane, the founder of KidSuper, who often uses ambitious campaigns to push the narratives within his own clothing collections.
Already backed by a milestone runway appearance in January during Paris Fashion Week, BAPE and Kid Super now recruit superstar streamer Kai Cenat (and his friend Ray) as representatives of BAPE & KidSuper’s shared values of fearless self-expression and childlike wonder.
From fanboy to fully fledged partner, KidSuper himself Colm Dillane shared the following statement on what his debut BAPE collaboration represents:
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“I used to sell T-shirts to the BAPE® line in high school—I even made bootleg BAPE® shirts in my friend’s basement. Fast forward 15 years, and now it’s a full-circle dream to be collaborating with them. Working with BAPE® is one of those surreal moments where something you imagined as a kid actually become real. I hope you can feel that when you see the product.”
The collection is highlighted by various BAPE staples featuring reimagined ABC camo incorporating KidSuper’s signature face graphic - covering all bases from full camo (and full zip) “upside-down” Shark Hoodies, Work Jackets and Windbreakers to panelled tracksuits, Snowboard Jackets, plus a selection of fun graphic tees, Rhinestone Logo Trucker Caps and two pairs of BapeSTA shoes.
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The BAPE by KidSuper collection will be available starting Saturday, April 12 via BAPE’s online and physical stores and kidsuper.com.
