Human Made
HUMAN MADE Inc. (listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market) · Japan
Human Made is a Tokyo streetwear brand founded by Nigo in 2010, combining vintage American workwear and graphics with Japanese craftsmanship. Its operating company, HUMAN MADE Inc., listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market on 27 November 2025. Media described it as the first streetwear brand to go public on a stock exchange.
| Founded | 2010, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Founder | Nigo |
| Company | HUMAN MADE Inc. |
| Listing | Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market, 27 November 2025 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Website | humanmade.jp |
What is Human Made?
Human Made is a Japanese fashion brand known for heritage-inspired T-shirts, sweatshirts, outerwear and accessories decorated with hearts, ducks, polar bears and vintage typography. The company describes its purpose as Cultivate Culture and aims to help build Japan's next major creative industry after manga, anime and games.
History
Nigo, founder of A Bathing Ape, launched Human Made in 2010, a few years before leaving BAPE in 2013. The brand has worked closely with Pharrell Williams, a long-time collaborator of Nigo. On 23 October 2025 the Tokyo Stock Exchange approved the listing of HUMAN MADE Inc. on its Growth Market, and trading began on 27 November 2025. Nss magazine reported that the offering was heavily oversubscribed and that the shares closed their first day higher.
Products and positioning
Human Made sits in the premium segment, with prices above mass streetwear but below luxury. Its portfolio includes:
- The core Human Made apparel line
- Creator collaborations with Pharrell Williams, KAWS, Verdy, Cactus Plant Flea Market and others
- Related projects such as Buffer and the Curry Up restaurant concept
Business model and distribution
The company operates its own concept stores and online shops and works with selected partners. According to nss magazine, its expansion plans after the listing include new flagships in Tokyo and Osaka, partner stores in Seoul and Bangkok and a targeted push into the United States, with China remaining important but no longer the sole growth driver.
Why it matters
The Human Made listing is a milestone for streetwear as an investable category. It shows public market appetite for founder-led cultural brands, and its strategy of turning creative collaborations into a broader lifestyle platform is closely watched by other independent labels.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Human Made?
Human Made is operated by HUMAN MADE Inc., which has been listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market since 27 November 2025. The brand was founded by Nigo in 2010.
Is Human Made related to BAPE?
Both brands were founded by Nigo, but they are separate companies. Nigo left A Bathing Ape in 2013 after its sale to I.T Group, while Human Made, launched in 2010, remains his own brand.