A Bathing Ape (ア・ベイジング・エイプ, A Beijingu Eipu) (or BAPE) is a Japanese clothing brand founded by Nigo in Ura-Harajuku 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. There are also stores located in Hong Kong, New York City, London, Taipei, China, Bangkok and Singapore. The company previously operated (Busy Work Shop), Bape Cuts hair salon, Bape Café, BABY MILO and Foot Soldier. Nigo also founded the secondary lines AAPE (by A Bathing Ape) and BAPY (Busy Working Lady). In 2011, the company had been sold to Hong Kong fashion conglomerate I.T Group. Nigo left the brand in 2013.