Wu Wear

Wu Wear is the clothing brand linked to the American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, created by Oliver "Power" Grant in the 1990s. It makes streetwear such as T-shirts, cut-and-sew garments and caps, and was relaunched in 2017 with German creative directors.

What is Wu Wear?

Wu Wear is a streetwear label that grew out of the business around the Wu-Tang Clan. It was designed by Oliver "Power" Grant, who wanted to extend the group's activities beyond music. The Wu-Tang members were friends and business partners who influenced the styling, while Grant and his team designed the garments.

History

The early line consisted mainly of shirts for hip-hop fans and later expanded into cut-and-sew clothing. At its peak Wu Wear operated stores in New York, Philadelphia, Virginia and Atlanta. Grant has described a 1999 Nike Dunk as the first hip-hop and streetwear shoe of its kind. After a period with no authentic product on the market, the brand returned through projects such as the A Wu-Tang Life collection with ALIFE and a partnership with Rocksmith.

In 2017 the brand was relaunched with German designers Donaldson Sackey and Sainey Sidibeh as creative directors and a ten-piece debut collection called Wu Wear Renaissance, mixing 1990s style with modern elements.

Products and positioning

• Graphic T-shirts and tank tops
• Cut-and-sew streetwear
• Caps, including C.R.E.A.M. designs
• Footwear and brand collaborations

Why it matters

Wu Wear is often cited as one of the first artist-led clothing lines in hip-hop and an early example of music, merchandise and fashion merging into a single brand.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Wu Wear?

Wu Wear was created by Oliver "Power" Grant, a business partner of the Wu-Tang Clan, who designed the line with his own team.

Who designs Wu Wear today?

For its 2017 relaunch the brand appointed German designers Donaldson Sackey and Sainey Sidibeh as creative directors.

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