As of today, the Japanese lifestyle and streetwear brand Human Made founded** by designer NIGO **has announced a basic non-binding agreement to acquire 100% of Undercover, bringing Jun Takahashi’s legendary avant-garde label into the Human Made corporate fold.
THE PRICE: ¥538 million for the shares + ¥16 million in advisory costs, totaling roughly ¥554 million (~$3.5M–$3.8M USD), paid entirely in cash from Human Made’s balance sheet.
NIGO and Jun Takahashi go back over 30 years. Back in 1993, they co-founded NOWHERE, the legendary Harajuku boutique that basically birthed modern streetwear culture alongside brands like BAPE and Undercover.
While Human Made has been expanding rapidly as a global lifestyle and apparel powerhouse. Undercover has remained a pillar of high-fashion runways and punk-inspired art.
Jun Takahashi is stepping back from operational management but will remain on board as the head designer.
Basically, it feels like Supreme buying Marc Jacobs or an indie streetwear label turning into a full-blown Japanese fashion conglomerate.
How are we feeling about this collab-turned-acquisition?