Chinatown Market
US
Chinatown Market, also traded as MARKET from 2021 to 2026, is a Los Angeles streetwear brand founded in 2016 by Mike Cherman. It is known for graphic tees, hoodies and hats and for collaborations with artists, athletes and brands. In July 2026 it returned to the Chinatown Market name.
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mike Cherman |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, United States |
| Operated as MARKET | 2021 to 2026 |
| Name restored | July 2026 |
| Segment | Streetwear and youth culture |
| Website | chinatownmarket.com |
What is Chinatown Market?
Chinatown Market is a Los Angeles streetwear company founded in 2016 by Mike Cherman. According to the brand's own pages, it began with parking-lot pop-ups and hand-printed tees and grew into a global community. Its output centres on graphic apparel with a playful tone.
History and naming
From 2021 to 2026 the company operated under the name MARKET. The brand's website announces that in July 2026 it returned to the Chinatown Market name, with Cherman still leading it. This is why the brand appears in directories under both names, and the list entry for this profile uses the shorter form.
Products and positioning
The brand sells graphic tees, hoodies, hats and other objects. Its homepage describes the label as known for graphic designs, unexpected collaborations and limited releases, and states that it has collaborated with artists, athletes, brands, and gaming and music figures. The assortment is positioned in the accessible, mid-market part of streetwear.
- Core products: graphic tees, hoodies, crewnecks and hats
- Approach: limited releases and collaborations
- Origin: pop-up sales and hand-printed shirts in Los Angeles
Business model and distribution
The brand operates its own online shop and describes a global community of customers. The sources reviewed do not document its retail store count, wholesale accounts or ownership beyond Cherman's continuing leadership, so those details are not stated.
Why it matters
Chinatown Market is a clear example of a US streetwear label built on collaborations and community rather than seasonal fashion cycles. Its 2026 return to its original name shows how brand identity can be revisited after several years, and it remains a reference point for collaboration-led youth-culture fashion.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Chinatown Market?
Chinatown Market was founded in 2016 by Mike Cherman in Los Angeles. According to the brand, Cherman still leads the company.
Is MARKET the same as Chinatown Market?
Yes. The company traded as MARKET from 2021 to 2026 and announced in July 2026 that it had returned to the Chinatown Market name.