With 2017 marking the year of the rooster in relation to the Chinese calendar, A Bathing Ape chose to tribute the 10th animal in the Chinese zodiac with a selection of new BAPE shirts.
Two different styles are offered, with one being a long-sleeve crewneck in jet black that features the streetwear brand's ape motif at the center of a circular graphic. In honor of the New Year, the character has a yellow, brown and red colorway, with the latter hue marking the features of a rooster. Around this, "BATHING APE" and "YEAR OF ROOSTER" are written in bold lettering.
The other is a white tee, which features the same graphic at its center. Although the new BAPE shirts haven't had a release date confirmed, it's likely they'll be available closer to the end of January when Lunar celebrations commence.
What's Driving This Trend
- Rooster-themed Streetwear
- Opportunity for fashion brands to create limited-edition streetwear collections inspired by zodiac animals.
- Year of the Rooster
- Brands can leverage the Chinese zodiac to create products and marketing campaigns targeted towards Asian markets.
- Limited-edition Collaborations
- Collaborations between streetwear brands and artists/designers can result in unique and highly sought-after collectible items.
Who This Affects Most
- Fashion
- Fashion brands can capitalize on zodiac animal-themed merchandise to attract customers during significant astrological years.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Agencies can help brands develop targeted campaigns that leverage cultural symbols and events for increased consumer engagement.
- Art and Design
- Artists and designers can collaborate with popular fashion brands to create unique and collectible limited-edition items.
