For Colm Dillane, the mind behind KidSuper, the BAPE by KidSuper collaboration isn’t just a partnership—it’s a full-circle fever dream.
What began as bootlegged tees in his teenage bedroom has exploded into a riot of color, chaos and cultural exchange on the Paris runway. Driven by passion, play and a DM hustle, Dillane reimagines BAPE’s iconic codes through the irreverent lens of KidSuper, crafting a collection that’s equal parts tribute and transformation.
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“From East to West, the outliers shaping culture share a mindset—fearless expression,” says BAPE CEO Mahmoud el Salahy. “Today, we celebrate that belief alongside generational talent Colm Dillane as we launch the BAPE by KidSuper collection as a co-creation that celebrates the past, present, and future of the brand.”
We sat down with Dillane as he set off for Japan, ahead of the collection launch on April 12th, to discuss how one of his oldest dreams came to life.
Colm, the BAPE by KidSuper collaboration feels like a collision of two electric worlds. What was the very first visual that came to mind when BAPE reached out?
I actually reached out to BAPE first—was DMing their marketing guy full collection mock-ups like a madman. I wanted this bad. Never give up, haha.
But the first real visual? Me in high school, screenprinting BAPE bootlegs in my bedroom, praying someone would notice. That kid would’ve lost his mind. So yeah—full circle. Only this time, I’m not in my room. I’m on a Paris runway.
BAPE is such a cornerstone of Japanese streetwear—how did you approach honoring that legacy while still infusing your signature chaos and color?
I like that you called it chaos—that’s the point. This collaboration was actually easy because BAPE is a huge part of KidSuper’s DNA. I always knew what I wanted to do.
Like flipping the shark hoodie into a smile—what’s more KidSuper than that? I didn’t want to just remix icons. I wanted to have a conversation between our worlds. Respectful rebellion, with a grin.
Your work often blurs the line between fashion, art, and storytelling. What story were you trying to tell through this collection?
That anything is possible. A kid bootlegging tees in his bedroom ends up collaborating with the exact brand he was copying. It’s about dreaming out loud.
BAPE sparks imagination. This collection was my way of matching that energy—and maybe pushing it a little further.
Were there any specific moments in BAPE’s history or archive that you drew inspiration from?
The Hustler Musik video. Also, the old BAPE magazines—they were packed with so much art and insanity, every page made me want to go make stuff. Still does. Still trying to keep up with that level of output.
How much of KidSuper’s Brooklyn roots do you feel made it into this collection? Was there a conscious cultural exchange at play?
One hundred percent. This was Brooklyn and Harajuku doing donuts in the same parking lot. The grit and humor of New York crashing into the clean mythology of BAPE.
It never felt like a strategy—it felt like a jam session.
BAPE is known for its bold patterns—camo, shark motifs, the Ape Head. How did you reinterpret those iconic symbols through your own artistic lens?
The camo became SUPER CAMO—layered with KidSuper faces and weirdness. I hand-painted the Ape Head to give it that crooked, human touch.
The shark mouth? Turned it into a smile. Because I’m always smiling. Or joking. Or both. Familiar, but off. In the best way.
You’ve said before that you love when clothes spark conversations. What do you hope people say when they see someone wearing a piece from this collab?
I hope they pause. Smile. Ask a question.
This collection is packed with stories and inside jokes and memories. If it sparks curiosity—or a laugh—we did our job.
From soccer jerseys to hand-painted blazers, your fashion output is wildly diverse. What was something new you tried—technically or creatively—for this drop?
What I loved was that I didn’t need to reinvent BAPE—I got to get inspired by it. There’s so much legacy here.
With this collab, I played in new spaces—packaging, magazine design, even toys (if they ever drop). It was more than clothes. It was a universe.
If this collection had a soundtrack, what would be playing on loop in the background?
“Get Low” by Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. No further questions.
Finally, what’s one thing you discovered about yourself—or about BAPE—while working on this collaboration that surprised you?
The scale of BAPE’s legacy is wild—so many drops, ideas, formats. It’s insane. Made me want to get back in the studio ASAP.
And me? Turns out I’m still that kid printing shirts for fun. BAPE’s still about imagination. Neither of us stopped.
Learn more about the BAPE by KidSuper collaboration and shop all the looks at bape.com.
