Born in early-2000s Ura-Harajuku, the BAPE STA grew out of A Bathing Ape’s original Tokyo streetwear ecosystem. Love it or loathe it (I’ve already made peace with the fact that star-shaped anything is a bit of a tough sell for me), it remains one of the most recognizable sneakers ever made. So recognizable, in fact, that Nike didn’t exactly ignore how close it once lived to the Air Force 1 Low. A lawsuit and settlement later, the STA slowly shifted through subtle design tweaks and an increasing number of collaborations, moving away from early identity debates and into a flexible canvas for storytelling, where the silhouette matters less than whatever story it’s currently dressed in. And right now, it’s dressed accordingly for World Cup season.
Marking its 25th anniversary alongside the 2026 World Cup, BAPE called in KidSuper (whose Spring 2027 collection is already deep into World Cup territory). With 48 designs, each tied to a participating country, the SUPERBAPE CUP is officially here. The pairs channel their respective homes through vivid color palettes and a glossy finish that could honestly catch light from a mile away. Patent leather meets new detailing, from KidSuper’s logo on the heel to a matching face graphic pulled from flags, stadiums, and everything in between. Yet only 10 countries have made it to stores so far, available at KidSuper’s Brooklyn flagship and select BAPE locations. The United States, Mexico, England, France, Japan, Spain, Ghana, Argentina, Brazil and Portugal lead the first wave. Everything else sits behind a $325 pre-order tag.
What actually caught our attention wasn’t the sneakers. Not the toy-inspired blister packaging either, though that was a close second. It was the campaign’s models, who, naturally, weren’t models at all. Just grandmothers from around the world, shot in their homes, wearing an unpredictable high-shine on their feet, sometimes styled with traditional clothing and World Cup merch. “Just as the world’s largest football tournament unites people, New York City plays the same role. People from over 50 countries gather here, each bringing their own story, forming a city that is a microcosm of the world. The energy that comes from the intersection of different values, ideas, and generations is also reflected in the BAPE STA™.” — Colm Dillane
