BAPE And KidSuper Redefine The Rules For Streetwear Collaborations

Forbes

08-04-2025

KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens; the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth
The groundbreaking BAPE by KidSuper collaboration represents the manifesto for creative rebellion, set to launch April 12, 2025. Debuting at KidSuper's Fall/Winter 2025 Paris Fashion Week show, From a Place I Have Never Been, this partnership bridges Harajuku's streetwear roots, Brooklyn's raw artistry, and Parisian high fashion to celebrate fearless self-expression.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens: the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth.
BAPE 'Collective' and KidSuper is a global merger of art, culture, and fashion. As BAPE CEO Mahmoud El Salahy explains, "This partnership transcends clothing. It's about rewriting creative rules. KidSuper's raw artistry fused with our design DNA has birthed something revolutionary for youth culture worldwide."
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens: the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth
For El Salahy, this project embodies the brand's core ethos. "The good thing about BAPE is that it was curated by two amazing individuals, Nigo and Pharrell, which created this beautiful natural elasticity,' he details. 'It's Japanese [in] its DNA, but expressed in a very Westernized way. When BAPE emerged, luxury was pretentious and exclusive. We disrupted that. Luxury is about self-expression. When you fearlessly express yourself, that's the ultimate luxury."
Kai Cenat, Ray, Colm Dillane: KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens: the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth
This partnership marks the launch of BAPE Collective, a new platform redefining creative partnerships. "We're calling it co-creation because it's more than two logos on a garment. It's a journey - learning, making mistakes, and creating something new while respecting heritage," explains El Salahy.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE championing next-gen disruptors, the campaign stars Kai Cenat [pictured]—"He embodies our rebellious spirit," says El Salahy—fusing streetwear with streaming culture in a defiant celebration of rule-breaking creativity.
The choice of KidSuper's Colm Dillane as a collaborator was intentional. The marriage of two rebellious leaders of culture who have made waves in their own right creates a harmonious bond. "We work with people who rewrite rules. Colm has done that in his own way, and he's a true fan. He even bootlegged our logo before this,' mentions El Salahy. 'He took BAPE's values and expressed them differently. Now, we're giving him the platform to amplify that vision."
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens. Even BAPE STA™ shoeboxes become collectible comic art.
'I used to sell T-shirts to the BAPE line in high school—I even made bootleg BAPE shirts in my friend's basement,' says Colm Dillane. 'Fast forward 15 years, and now it's a full-circle dream to [collaborate] with them. Working with BAPE is one of those surreal moments where something you imagined as a kid actually becomes real. I hope you can feel that when you see the product,' says Colm Dillane.'
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE icons, the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth. Even BAPE STA™ shoeboxes become collectible comic art. Championing next-gen disruptors, the campaign stars Kai Cenat.
The BAPE by KidSuper collection boldly reinterprets BAPE's iconic archives through KidSuper's surrealist vision, delivering fresh takes on streetwear staples. The SUPER CAMO reworks BAPE's legendary ABC pattern into a hallucinogenic mashup infused with KidSuper's signature faces.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens: the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth.
One anticipated transformation comes in the Inverted Shark Hoodie, where the brand's typically menacing shark motif gets playfully flipped into a grinning, toothy smile. "Colm turned it upside down, keeping it recognizably BAPE but completely fresh," remarks El Salahy.
Kayo; KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens: the ABC Camo mutates with psychedelic face motifs, while the Shark Hoodie subverts expectations with an inverted, grinning mouth.
Even the packaging gets the artistic treatment, as BAPE STA sneaker boxes transform into collectible graphic novels, blending streetwear with comic book aesthetics. There is also a special pair of Sashiko-designed BAPE STA sneakers. "The BAPE STA Sashiko—so Japanese yet modern,' as El Salahy describes his personal favorite. Each piece honors BAPE's heritage while injecting KidSuper's distinctive illustrations, and creativity.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE with Fluorescent Treasures & Co. (FTC), a Brooklyn-born jewelry brand founded in 2019 by childhood friends rapper AKTHESAVIOR (of The Underachievers) and jeweler Peewee the Jeweler, delivers its bold, artistic designs to this release, KidSuper designer Colm Dillane commissioned FTC to create a pendant for his BAPE collab,MARINA BASISTAIA
Additionally, Fluorescent Treasures & Co. (FTC), a Brooklyn-born jewelry brand founded in 2019 by childhood friends rapper AKTHESAVIOR (of The Underachievers) and jeweler Peewee the Jeweler, delivers its bold, artistic designs to this release after crafting custom pieces for rappers Joey Bada$$, Kirk Knight, and Meechy Darko. A longtime collaborator of AKTHESAVIOR's rap career, KidSuper designer Colm Dillane commissioned FTC to create a pendant for his BAPE collab, styled by AKTHESAVIOR and featured in the campaign with Kai Cenat and his friend Ray.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE; Championing next-gen disruptors, the campaign stars Kai Cenat—"He embodies our rebellious spirit," says El Salahy—fusing streetwear with streaming culture in a defiant celebration of rule-breaking creativity.
Drawing from his 20 years of fashion experience across Asia and North America, El Salahy emphasizes the global vision stating, "My work has always been about globalizing footprints while maintaining local relevance. Asian markets are extremely diverse, similar to the U.S. with its East Coast/West Coast differences. With BAPE, we're flipping the script [and] taking an Asian-born brand global, while keeping its authentic spirit."
Even BAPE STA™ shoeboxes become collectible comic art.
The collaboration's PFW debut marked BAPE's first-ever runway show and was a full-circle moment for the brand. "It was a beautiful surprise. Not just clothes, but a cultural statement. Colm's show embodied our value: rewrite the rules," reflects El Salahy.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE: Championing next-gen disruptors, the campaign stars Kai Cenat—"He embodies our rebellious spirit," says El Salahy—fusing streetwear with streaming culture in a defiant celebration of rule-breaking creativity.
The campaign stars Twitch phenom Kai Cenat, "Kai represents the next wave—someone challenging norms authentically,' he says. 'With influencers, it's not just reach; they must embody our rebellious spirit.'
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE® icons through a surrealist lens. Even BAPE STA™ shoeboxes become collectible comic art.
'BAPE 'Collective' is a platform to inspire the next-gen. We lend our brand to creative minds who push boundaries constructively." BAPE's global reach is amplified alongside stars like Kai Cenat, and Wale, who wore pieces during his Dreamville Festival performance.
KidSuper's Colm Dillane reimagined BAPE: Championing next-gen disruptors, the campaign stars Kai Cenat—"He embodies our rebellious spirit," says El Salahy—fusing streetwear with streaming culture in a defiant celebration of rule-breaking creativity.
Looking ahead, El Salahy envisions BAPE Collective as a platform for global creativity. "This is a living platform to inspire the next generation worldwide. We lend our brand power to creative minds across all markets to bring their visions to life. The world needs more boundary-pushers, people who challenge norms in constructive ways across cultures."