Human Made
HUMAN MADE Inc. is a Tokyo-based lifestyle company founded by NIGO that designs and sells premium streetwear and operates the CURRY UP restaurant chain and Buffer fashion label through owned retail stores across Asia and global e-commerce.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Human Made does
HUMAN MADE Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered lifestyle and culture company that designs, manufactures, and sells premium streetwear apparel and lifestyle products under the HUMAN MADE brand founded by designer NIGO in 2010. The company also operates the CURRY UP curry restaurant chain (since 2010), the OTSUMO PLAZA concept store, and the newly launched Buffer fashion label (April 2026) directed by Tetsu Nishiyama. The product portfolio spans vintage-inspired workwear, sportswear, outerwear, accessories, and lifestyle goods positioned at premium streetwear price points (jackets priced in the JPY tens of thousands to several hundred USD range, collaboration items at higher tiers).
The company executes a direct-to-consumer go-to-market comprising 14+ owned retail stores across Japan (Tokyo with multiple locations, Kyoto, Osaka, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Kobe), South Korea (Seoul with three locations), China (Shanghai), Hong Kong (Repulse Bay), and Thailand (Bangkok), complemented by an e-commerce storefront serving customers in 88 countries and authorized dealers. Revenue is generated through one-time apparel sales, brand collaboration royalties, restaurant operations, and corporate creative services for clients including Blue Bottle Coffee, JINS, Wanpo Tea Shop, and Penfolds. Brand collaborations with globally recognized artists (KAWS, VERDY), musicians (Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Lil Uzi Vert, j-hope), and brands (Levi's, adidas, Krispy Kreme, Nordisk, Clarks) drive demand and maintain cultural relevance, with lottery-based store entries and limited-edition drops reinforcing scarcity positioning.
For fiscal year 2026, HUMAN MADE reported revenue of JPY 14.27 billion (USD 89.14 million), up 26.8% year-over-year from JPY 11.2 billion in FY2025, reflecting a 44% revenue CAGR over FY23-FY25. The company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market on November 27, 2025, raising JPY 17.8 billion (USD 115 million) at a JPY 71.7 billion valuation, becoming the first streetwear brand to IPO in Japan. The company is currently executing aggressive international expansion through US (Delaware) and China (Shanghai) subsidiary establishments, an announced acquisition of cult Japanese label Undercover (targeted close February 2027), a planned flagship HUMAN MADE TOKYO store in Harajuku, and ongoing store rollouts across Asia.
Human Made firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Human Made
- Legal name
- HUMAN MADE株式会社
- Website
- https://humanmade.co.jp
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- HUMAN MADE Inc. is a Tokyo-based lifestyle company founded by NIGO that designs and sells premium streetwear and operates the CURRY UP restaurant chain and Buffer fashion label through owned retail stores across Asia and global e-commerce.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Human Made industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Streetwear and Lifestyle Apparel
- NAICS
- Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)
- SIC
- Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE), Headwear Manufacturing (Hats/Caps/Beanies) (IMAOAFAA)
Keywords
Where Human Made is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices6 records
Markets served
Human Made business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Apparel and lifestyle product sales: Primary revenue from designing, manufacturing, and selling streetwear apparel and lifestyle products under the HUMAN MADE brand through owned retail stores and e-commerce channels.
- Curry restaurant operations: Revenue from operating CURRY UP curry restaurants in Japan and internationally, offering curry made with original spices.
- Brand collaborations and licensing: Revenue from collaborative product development with other brands and creators, including Levi’s, adidas, Krispy Kreme, Nordisk, Clarks, and others.
- Creative solutions and branding services: Corporate branding support, product development, and spatial design services provided to other companies globally.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium apparel items - jackets, outerwear |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | T-shirts and casual apparel |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories and lifestyle goods |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Limited edition and collaboration items |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Human Made product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Human Made designs, manufactures, and sells premium streetwear apparel and lifestyle products under the HUMAN MADE brand founded by NIGO in 2010. The company operates multiple sub-brands including Buffer (fashion label), CURRY UP (curry restaurant chain), and OTSUMO PLAZA (concept store), and offers Creative Solutions branding and product development services to corporate clients.
Product overview
HUMAN MADE Inc. operates as a lifestyle and culture company centered around its flagship brand HUMAN MADE (founded 2010), supplemented by the curry restaurant chain CURRY UP (founded 2010), and newer fashion label Buffer (launching April 2026). The company engages in Creator Projects collaborating with artists like Pharrell Williams, KAWS, VERDY, and Kid Cudi's WZRD, and provides Creative Solutions services to corporate clients. The portfolio also includes OTSUMO PLAZA concept store and various limited-edition collaborations and product lines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Buffer: A brand exploring the theme of 'After School' with an inclusive approach to age and gender, directed by fashion designer Tetsu Nishiyama. Launched in April 2026.
- CURRY UP
- OTSUMO PLAZA
Products and services
- HUMAN MADE The flagship lifestyle brand founded by fashion designer NIGO in 2010, featuring apparel and lifestyle products with vintage-inspired designs under the concept 'The Future Is In The Past.' Sold globally through owned retail stores and e-commerce.
- Buffer Fashion label launched in April 2026 with creative director Tetsu Nishiyama, exploring 'After School' themes with an inclusive approach to age and gender, targeting the next generation with affordable pricing for items like graphic T-shirts.
- CURRY UP Tokyo-based curry restaurant chain founded in 2010, serving curries made with original spices and no additives. Operates multiple locations in Japan and internationally.
- OTSUMO PLAZA Concept store featuring products from Japanese and international creators, including VERDY's Wasted Youth, Kid Cudi's WZRD project, and exclusive OTSUMO PLAZA branded items. Reborn as an online concept shop in February 2026.
- SAKE STORM COWBOY Japanese sake brand co-produced by Pharrell Williams and NIGO with Ohmine Shuzo brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture, featuring innovative packaging and premium natural press expressions.
- Creative Solutions Global branding support, product development, and spatial design services provided to corporate clients, including collaborations with Blue Bottle Coffee, JINS, Wanpo Tea Shop, and Penfolds.
Quantifiable outcome
- Revenue grew from JPY 1.8 billion in FY2021 to JPY 11.2 billion in FY2025 (6x growth)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Human Made
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Human Made technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Human Made partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- UndercovercoreHuman Made signed non-binding agreement to acquire cult fashion label Undercover from Jun Takahashi. Deal connects two foundational architects of modern streetwear. Target full transfer: February 2027.
- HUMAN MADE USA Inc.coreWholly owned subsidiary established in Delaware, USA with capital of $4 million (approx. JPY 620 million) for US retail business expansion. Rei Matsunuma serves as representative director.
- China Subsidiary (Shanghai)coreWholly owned subsidiary being established in Shanghai, China with planned capital of $3.5 million (approx. JPY 500 million) for China retail business expansion.
- KAWScoreWorld-renowned contemporary artist serving as Human Made advisor since 2023. Ongoing collaborations include apparel and accessories collections that sell out immediately.
- Pharrell WilliamscoreMusic producer and creative director, Louis Vuitton menswear creative director, serving as Human Made advisor since 2024. Co-produced SAKE STORM COWBOY Japanese sake brand with NIGO.
- VERDYcoreGraphic artist and creative partner since 2024. Created original character VICK; projects include Wasted Youth and Girls Don't Cry. Designed OTSUMO PLAZA concept store and exclusive collaboration items.
- Cactus Plant Flea MarketmajorUS fashion brand known for Nike and McDonald's collaborations. Creator project with Human Made since 2019 includes Japan Made collection of apparel and accessories.
- Victor Victor WorldwidemajorUS music record label that released NIGO's album 'I Know NIGO!' in 2022. Ongoing creator project developing official merchandise collaborations.
- Kid Cudi (WZRD)majorMulti-hyphenate artist leading WZRD project in partnership with Human Made since 2025. Collection brings to life original character 'Willy the Wizard'.
- Blue Bottle CoffeemajorHUMAN MADE 1928 CAFE by Blue Bottle Coffee opened in Kyoto (2021) and HUMAN MADE CAFE by Blue Bottle Coffee opened in Tokyo Gaienmae (2021).
- SAKE STORM COWBOYmajorJapanese sake brand co-produced by Pharrell Williams and NIGO with Ohmine Shuzo brewery in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Season 3 S3 Natural Press released July 2022.
- Lotte World MallmajorPremium retail location in Seoul housing HUMAN MADE JAMSIL store on first floor, representing the brand's third location in South Korea.
- Central EmbassymajorBangkok's leading luxury lifestyle destination on former British Embassy grounds housing HUMAN MADE BANGKOK on Level 2.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights8 records
Human Made competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Supreme: Supreme is a New York-based streetwear brand known for weekly limited drops, collab-driven scarcity, and a dedicated resale community. It is the closest direct peer to HUMAN MADE in drop mechanics, price tier, and hype culture, and represents the benchmark US streetwear aspirant that Human Made is entering via its US subsidiary.
- A Bathing Ape (BAPE): BAPE is the Tokyo streetwear label founded by NIGO® in 1993. As NIGO®'s former brand, BAPE offers direct comparability on product category, price tier, and Japanese streetwear heritage, and represents both a sibling DNA and a competitive anchor in the same Tokyo-origin premium streetwear segment.
- Stüssy: Stüssy is a California-rooted streetwear label with global DTC stores, frequent collabs, and a heritage-led brand identity similar to HUMAN MADE's 'The Future Is In The Past' positioning. Comparable in store footprint, pricing tier, and lifestyle-brand extension.
- KITH: KITH is a New York-based lifestyle brand operating flagship retail stores, food (KITH Treats), and high-profile collaborations. Comparable business model — DTC retail, lifestyle extensions, and collab-led product — and a similar aspirational price point.
- Palace Skateboards: Palace is a London-based streetwear/skate brand with weekly drops, lottery-based release mechanics, and global flagship retail. Comparable scarcity strategy and hype-driven consumer base, though with a more limited retail footprint than HUMAN MADE.
- Undercover: Undercover is the Tokyo-based avant-garde streetwear label of Jun Takahashi, the subject of HUMAN MADE's announced acquisition. Comparable in Japanese heritage, premium pricing, and founder-led creative identity; relevant as a target and as an operational peer.
- WTAPS: WTAPS is the Tokyo-based military-influenced streetwear label of Tetsu Nishiyama, who also directs Human Made's new Buffer sub-brand. Comparable product category, Japanese heritage, and cult-status positioning; closely linked through shared personnel.
- Cactus Plant Flea Market: Cactus Plant Flea Market (CPFM) is a US streetwear brand known for high-profile collabs with Nike, McDonald's, and HUMAN MADE itself. Comparable collab-driven, drop-based business model and emerging-player profile within premium streetwear.
Broad incumbents
- Off-White: Off-White is a luxury-streetwear brand owned by LVMH, founded by Virgil Abloh. Comparable in bridging streetwear and luxury, with a broader incumbent distribution and price point. Represents the broader luxury-streetwear segment HUMAN MADE is moving up into.
- Stone Island: Stone Island is a premium Italian outerwear-focused label owned by Moncler Group with strong menswear positioning and collaborations. Comparable in product emphasis on jackets/outerwear, premium pricing, and cult-brand status; broader incumbent given larger parent.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Human Made social profiles
Digital presenceHuman Made financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Human Made leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Human Made subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Human Made funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Human Made M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Human Made
What does Human Made do?
Human Made designs, manufactures, and sells premium streetwear apparel and lifestyle products under the HUMAN MADE brand founded by NIGO in 2010. The company operates multiple sub-brands including Buffer (fashion label), CURRY UP (curry restaurant chain), and OTSUMO PLAZA (concept store), and offers Creative Solutions branding and product development services to corporate clients.
Is Human Made a public or private company?
Human Made is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Human Made founded?
Human Made was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Human Made based?
Human Made is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does Human Made make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Apparel and lifestyle product sales are the primary driver. The others are curry restaurant operations, brand collaborations and licensing and creative solutions and branding services.
Who are Human Made's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Supreme, A Bathing Ape (BAPE), Stüssy, KITH, Palace Skateboards, Undercover, WTAPS and Cactus Plant Flea Market. Broad incumbents are Off-White and Stone Island.
Does Human Made have an API?
No public API is recorded for Human Made.
What industry is Human Made in?
Human Made's product category is Premium Streetwear and Lifestyle Apparel. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAAAAAI, Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers, with a secondary code of IMAOAHAE, Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels). Its NAICS code is 315 and its SIC code is 2300.