HUMAN MADE Expands to Kobe

The new Kobe store is housed in the historic Chartered Building, an architectural landmark completed in 1938 that originally served as the British Chartered Bank. This choice of location reflects the brand's philosophy, "The Future is in the Past," by merging its own worldview with the city's unique local character. To commemorate the grand opening on February 14, 2026, HUMAN MADE released an exclusive nine-piece capsule collection. The collection features a new bull mascot unique to the Kobe location, which appears on items like a zip-up work jacket and a "Tsuriami" sweatshirt. Thematic accessories, such as a Bank Pouch and a Gold Bar Paperweight, pay homage to the building's history. The brand was founded in 2010 by Tomoaki Nagao, better known as Nigo, the influential designer who also founded A Bathing Ape (BAPE) in 1993. After leaving BAPE, Nigo started HUMAN MADE to create items with a focus on meticulous Japanese craftsmanship and vintage American workwear aesthetics. Nigo's influence extends beyond his own brands; in September 2021, he was appointed as the Artistic Director of the French luxury fashion house Kenzo, which is owned by LVMH. He has also collaborated with numerous global brands and artists, including adidas, Kaws, and Pharrell Williams, who was an early backer of HUMAN MADE. The Kobe opening follows a period of significant growth for HUMAN MADE. The brand recently went public on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, raising $114 million in an oversubscribed IPO that valued the company at $460 million. Net sales have surged from ¥1.8 billion in 2021 to ¥11.2 billion as of January 2025. With a solid financial footing, the company plans to accelerate its global expansion, aiming to open more flagship stores worldwide that convey the brand's distinct worldview. While the brand has a strong presence with eight direct stores in Japan and partnerships in 32 countries, the IPO filing cited China as its largest untapped market and noted the importance of U.S. expansion.