[1] Nigo, founder, former owner, and Teriyaki Boyz member, cites his mother and father, who were a nurse and a billboard maker, respectively, as major influences in the development of his character, though because they both worked, he spent a lot of time alone with toys.

His nickname means "number two" in Japanese; the MD of Astoarobot, the fashion store, coined the moniker when he noted the physical resemblance to Fujiwara.

According to Nigo, the name "BAPE" is a reference to "A Bathing Ape in Lukewarm Water" (でぬるま湯に浸かった猿, De nurumayu ni tsukatta saru).

[4] To promote the brand he gave T-shirts to the musician Cornelius and Japanese hip-hop group Scha Dara Parr who wore them when performing.

[5] Nigo is also co-owner and head designer of Pharrell Williams' clothes brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream.

A Bathing Ape has also collaborated with many other famous brands, including Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and Rimowa,[citation needed] as well as artists such as Biggie Smalls, Wiz Khalifa, and the Beastie Boys.