BAPE (A Bathing Ape) Eyewear
A Bathing Ape — better known as BAPE — is a Japanese streetwear label whose eyewear line carries the brand's signature Camo, Shark and Ape Head motifs across both sunglasses and optical frames. At EMME Visioncare, BAPE frames can be fitted with prescription lenses by our optometrists, so a statement frame can also be the glasses you wear every day.
The story behind A Bathing Ape
BAPE was founded in 1993 by Nigo (Tomoaki Nagao) in Ura-Harajuku, the network of backstreets behind Tokyo's Harajuku district that became the cradle of Japanese street fashion. Nigo had studied at Bunka Fashion College and worked as an editor and stylist before opening his first shop, "Nowhere", alongside Jun Takahashi of Undercover.
The name is a play on the phrase "a bathing ape in lukewarm water" — a nod to the 1968 film Planet of the Apes and a wry comment on comfortable over-indulgence. In its early years the label moved slowly and deliberately, producing only a small run of shirts each week and placing pieces with musicians and friends rather than mass-marketing them. That scarcity-led approach is a large part of how BAPE built its following through the 1990s and 2000s, and it remains closely associated with streetwear and music culture today.
The brand has since grown well beyond T-shirts, spawning secondary lines such as AAPE and BAPY and a long history of collaborations across fashion, music and popular culture. In 2011 the company was acquired by the Hong Kong group I.T, with Nigo continuing as creative director for a further two years.
BAPE eyewear: what to expect
BAPE's eyewear collection translates the label's visual language into frames. You'll see its three recurring motifs woven through the range: the camouflage pattern, the Shark graphic, and the Ape Head logo — often worked into the temples or detailing rather than plastered across the front, so the frames read as bold but wearable.
The line spans two clear categories:
- Sunglasses — acetate frames in squared and rounded silhouettes, frequently with camo-patterned temples, metal rivet detailing and adjustable nose pads.
- Optical frames — everyday shapes built to take prescription lenses, designed for daily wear rather than occasion-only styling.
If you like the look of BAPE but lean toward understated Japanese craftsmanship, it's worth also looking at Masunaga eyewear, another Japanese house we carry with a very different, heritage-led aesthetic.
Prescription lenses and fitting at EMME Visioncare
A frame is only as good as the lenses and the fit behind it. Whichever BAPE style you choose, our optometrists can fit it with prescription lenses matched to your vision and how you use your eyes day to day. The starting point is an accurate prescription, which comes from a comprehensive eye examination — this also lets us check the overall health of your eyes at the same time.
From there, we'll talk through your lens options — single vision or progressive, the right index for your prescription, and coatings — and make sure the frame sits and aligns correctly for comfortable wear. For BAPE sunglasses, prescription sun lenses can be made with UV protection, which matters in Singapore's strong, year-round glare; you can read more about how UV affects your eyes on our blog.
BAPE sits within our wider eyewear collection, so you can compare it against other frames in person and find the shape that works for your face and prescription.
Frequently asked questions
Can BAPE frames be fitted with prescription lenses?
Yes. BAPE optical frames are designed to take prescription lenses, and many of the sunglasses can be glazed with prescription sun lenses. Our optometrists will advise which styles suit your prescription.
Does BAPE make both sunglasses and optical frames?
Both. The collection includes sunglasses for everyday and outdoor wear, plus optical frames intended for regular daily use.
Do I need an eye test before ordering?
An up-to-date prescription is needed for prescription lenses. If yours isn't current, a comprehensive eye examination with our optometrists provides one and checks your eye health in the same visit.
To try BAPE frames or discuss prescription options, book an appointment with our optometrists at EMME Visioncare.
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EMME Visioncare @ The Cathay
2 Handy Road, #02-13 The Cathay Mall, Singapore 229233
Tel: (65) 8690 3598
Email: cathay@emmevisioncare.com
Open daily 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
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EMME Visioncare @ HarbourFront
1 Maritime Square, #02-63 HarbourFront Centre, Singapore 099253
Tel: (65) 9383 8569