Shop Carhartt WIP with us online now.
Carhartt Work in Progress clothing can be worn with any outfit and it’s a go-to for high quality, durable items. Carhartt WIP has managed to find the perfect medium between their classic workwear and streetwear. They bring through timeless garments that skateboarders, musicians, and artists alike have been wearing for decades. In 1994, growing as a counterpart of Carhartt, Carhartt WIP began selling carefully adapted and modified silhouettes in Europe.
Carhartt was first established in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt, the brand quickly grew from his initial garment designs after asking railroad workers what they wanted from their clothes. Using those ideas to form the templates, Carhartt began making overalls constructed from heavyweight denim and the now-iconic duck canvas. The brand has always been dedicated to providing durable garments that are high quality and can withstand a full day of work.
By the late 1970s and 80s Carhartt began to grow in popularity outside the traditional customer. Hip-Hop embraced the oversized fits of Carhartt, and the brand could be seen on many artists in New York. The 90s saw Carhartt spread to the west coast. Because of its ties to music, it is a firm cult favourite and Wu-Tang Clan, Tupac, and Kanye have all been seen wearing Carhartt over the years.
As interest in the Carhartt brand spread, Work in Progress (WIP) was established in 1994, by Edwin Faeh to become the exclusive distributor of Carhartt in Europe. Carhartt WIP created a collection of streetwear that remained true to Carhartt's iconic workwear DNA. The adapted styling proved popular in Europe with the skating community picking up the brand due to its reasonable price, and hard-wearing durability that could live through slams on rough concrete. In 1997 Carhartt WIP created a skate team that solidified their relationship to the skateboarding scene. 2011 saw Carhartt WIP opening a store in New York City, coming full circle with its American origins.
With ties to most skate, art, fashion, and music subcultures, Carhartt WIP has collaborated with the likes of Nike, Converse, Polar Skate Co., Motown, and A.P.C. to create and experiment with Clothing and Footwear, each collaboration offering a unique perspective on the brand. Alongside this, they work closely with NTS radio and Arts Council England every year to create the NTS Work in Progress. This yearly artist development scheme aims to support eight musicians from all backgrounds and genres to give them a step up in their career. Carhartt and NTS collaborate and hold musical events all year round.
In recent collections we have seen vibrant colours, patterns, new fabrications, and contemporary fits on workwear inspired garments. The most recent collection showcases the Southfield Jacket in navy 100% cotton seersucker, giving a lightweight modern adaptation to a style we would usually see in Duck Canvas.
The Carhartt WIP Pocket Crew Neck Sweatshirt is designed in a heavyweight, soft loopback cotton jersey. Featuring a left side pocket with a woven Carhartt patch logo, this boxy fit Sweatshirt is designed to last.
'Chase' heralds the design ethos Carhartt WIP champions. Constructed of durable cotton jersey, simple designs make them timeless items to own. Each garment features the classic embroidered Chase logo, an understated design that is instantly recognisable. The collection covers all the basics, T-Shirts, sweats, socks and even swim trunks.
Alongside their impeccable clothes, Carhartt WIP is known for producing lifestyle products and gadgets, from furniture, to coffee machines and even a camera. The smaller gadgets all share fun and practical elements, keep in contact with your friends with the Protect and Survive Walkie Talkie Set or get about safely with the Carhartt x Palomar bike lights.
Consortium has continued to stock Carhartt WIP since opening 27 years ago. They are key players in skate, art, and music subcultures making them a go-to brand for durable clothes and contemporary styles that stand the test of time.
Shop Carhartt WIP with us online here.
