BAPE KIDS® ORGANIC COTTON by IKEUCHI ORGANIC

A BATHING APE® is launching a new initiative called 'BAPE® ORGANIC COTTON'.

From BAPE KIDS® comes a range of baby items featuring the "ALL BABY MILO®" pattern. Made from plush fabric, the collection includes bathrobes, bibs, mittens, baby shoes, plush toys, face towels, bath towels, and blankets. This collaboration with IKEUCHI ORGANIC, based in Imabari, Ehime, aims to deliver products designed for the most sensitive skin.

Organic cotton is grown without genetically modified seeds and without pesticides or chemical fertilizers for at least three years. However, its essence goes beyond mere material standards. It ensures ethical integrity and transparency across the entire process—from farming and labor conditions to distribution—incorporating principles of fair trade.

IKEUCHI ORGANIC complies with global standards such as "GOTS" and "OCS", while setting even stricter internal safety benchmarks. A core philosophy is creating towels safe enough for babies to put in their mouths. In practice, their products meet the International Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Class I—the most rigorous certification level.

BAPE KIDS® views this moment as a phase where values like environmental responsibility and safety are being embodied through products. This collaboration with IKEUCHI ORGANIC, driven by shared values, represents more than just material selection—it's a new proposition of value.

At the factory, visitors can observe up close how a single towel is made. Production begins with aligning and manually connecting approximately 3,000 to 5,000 threads that will be fed into the loom.

The production floor houses both vintage looms and state-of-the-art high-speed machines, where experienced artisans simultaneously train the next generation. Even with precision machinery, the final quality depends on human craftsmanship. The feel of the fabric varies greatly depending on yarn thickness and twist; for example, using 40-count double-ply yarn achieves both softness and volume. These meticulous design choices define the final hand-feel. Additionally, desizing the fabric after weaving allows fibers to absorb air, unlocking their inherent softness.

Dyeing is the most energy-intensive step in towel production. At IKEUCHI ORGANIC, dyeing follows a "low-impact dye" philosophy, minimizing environmental impact.

They use dyes free of heavy metals and avoid chlorine bleaching. To preserve absorbency, they deliberately avoid chemical treatments that compromise performance—even if it means sacrificing efficiency. In reality, only about 60% of the dye sets in the first pass; the remainder is achieved through repeated washing and re-dyeing.

Although the dyeing process uses approximately 12 times the weight of the fabric in water, the wastewater is purified to meet the strict standards of the Seto Inland Sea (below 15ppm). At a treatment facility capable of processing 2,000 tons, bacteria break down contaminants, returning the water to nature in a nearly transparent state.

Prioritizing end-result quality and environmental responsibility over efficiency—this principle underpins the trust in their products.

Woven fabric moves to the finishing stage, where each piece is visually inspected and the pile direction is carefully brushed into alignment. While fabric softeners could improve texture, they reduce absorbency, so they are not used. This makes the fabric harder to handle and cut, but skilled artisans manage the challenge.

Finished with meticulous care to avoid crushing the pile, the products are completed. Factories capable of overseeing every step—from raw materials to final production—are extremely rare in Japan.

Furthermore, each product features a traceability QR code, ensuring transparency in its production background.

This collection, merging Imabari’s world-renowned craftsmanship, the safety and reliability of organic cotton, and the identity of BAPE KIDS®, will be available first on BAPE.COM WEB STORE starting July 3, 2026 (Fri) at 12:00 PM, followed by staggered releases starting July 4, 2026 (Sat) at BAPE KIDS® Harajuku, Yokohama Takashimaya, Isetan Shinjuku, Hankyu Umeda, Kyoto Takashimaya, Daimaru Kobe, Osaka Takashimaya, Ginza Mitsukoshi, BAPE STORE® Shibuya, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Ginza, and Seibu Ikebukuro.

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BABY BATHROBE COLOR: BROWN ¥22,000 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BABY BLANKET COLOR: BROWN ¥19,800 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BIB COLOR: BROWN ¥6,050 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BEAR COLOR: BROWN ¥4,400 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BABY MITTENS COLOR: BROWN ¥7,700 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BABY SHOES COLOR: BROWN ¥8,800 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE FACE TOWEL COLOR: BROWN ¥7,150 (tax included)

ALL BABY MILO® PILE BATH TOWEL COLOR: BROWN ¥18,700 (tax included)