From BAPE to Human Made
Before Human Made, Nigo had already changed streetwear once. He founded BAPE in Harajuku in 1993 and turned a camo ape into a global icon. In 2010 he started something more personal in Tokyo: Human Made, a lifestyle brand inspired by his huge archive of vintage workwear, old American sportswear and pop culture.
The brand's motto, "Gears for Futuristic Teenagers", sums up the mood. Think retro graphics, honest fabrics and a sense of humour. Nigo's friend Pharrell Williams has been part of the story from early on, and the brand kept growing alongside Nigo's own career, from his Louis Vuitton collaboration with Virgil Abloh to his role as artistic director of Kenzo. In November 2025, Human Made even went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Human Made T Shirts, Hoodies and Signature Pieces
Human Made does not shout. It charms. These are the pieces our Community asks for most:
- Heart logo tee: the red heart is the brand's signature, printed on thick cotton with a slightly boxy cut. The 3 pack T shirts are a favourite basic.
- Hoodies and sweatshirts: heavyweight cotton, often knitted on tsuriami machines, a slow Japanese technique that keeps the fabric soft and strong for years.
- Varsity jacket: wool body, leather sleeves and chenille patches. The Human Made varsity jacket is one of the most wanted pieces in Japanese streetwear.
- Dry Alls: the duck graphic and "Dry Alls" text, inspired by old American workwear labels, appear on tees, caps and bags.
- Caps, beanies and bags: corduroy caps, knitted beanies and canvas bags finish almost every Human Made look.
Human Made Collaborations
Collaborations are part of the brand's DNA. With Adidas, Nigo and Pharrell swapped the Three Stripes for rows of hearts on the Stan Smith and Superstar. KAWS added his cartoon characters to a 2021 capsule, and Verdy's Girls Don't Cry brought its handwritten hearts to several drops. A$AP Rocky's AWGE worked with the brand on the Human Testing varsity jacket, and Lil Uzi Vert's pink heart hoodie became an instant favourite.
Curated and Checked at 2nd Culture
Popular graphics and limited collaborations mean fakes do circulate. That is why every Human Made item we stock is handpicked, put through our authenticity check and graded with our condition check. Here is what we look at:
- Labels and tags: the neck label, wash tag and product code should match the season and the style of the piece.
- Print quality: genuine graphics are sharp and evenly coloured. Hearts should have clean, smooth edges.
- Fabric weight: Human Made cotton feels thick and dense. Thin, shiny fabric is a red flag.
- Stitching: neat, tight seams and solid ribbing on cuffs and hems.
How to Style Human Made
Picture a crisp autumn afternoon in Amsterdam. You wear a white heart logo tee under a navy Human Made varsity jacket, with loose straight jeans and a pair of clean Adidas Superstars. A corduroy cap and a canvas tote finish the look. It feels relaxed and a little nostalgic, like you just left a Harajuku vintage shop. In winter, swap the jacket for a heavyweight hoodie and add a beanie. Love the playful Japanese side of streetwear? Explore our Evisu collection, or find more classics in our hoodies and Stüssy collections.
Human Made Sizing Guide
Human Made uses Japanese sizing, so it pays to check the measurements on each product page.
- Tees and sweatshirts: a boxy, slightly cropped fit. Take your normal size for a relaxed look, or size up if you prefer more length.
- Hoodies: roomy through the body. Most people stay true to size.
- Varsity and other jackets: fit closer than they look, so size up if you want to wear a hoodie underneath.
Not sure which size works for you? Our team is happy to help, in store or online.
