Hypebeast Community Center: Spotlighting Emerging, Indie, and Underground Brands in Street Culture
The Five W’s of Tarpley: Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who is wearing Tarpley? A diverse group of individuals including artists, athletes, musicians, content creators, and outdoorsmen.
What is Tarpley’s main message? “Be a light unto yourself.”
When did Tarpley launch? In December 2022, with a capsule collection lookbook and a debut at Paris Fashion Week. Since then, Tarpley has been a regular on the New York Fashion Week calendar.
Where are people wearing Tarpley? Everywhere from concerts and art gallery openings to nature outings, coffee meetups, and even in Uber Blacks around the world.
Why was Tarpley created? To spread positive energy and make the world a better place through high-quality, aesthetically pleasing designs.
About The Brand: The Spark, Passion, and Style of Tarpley
What was the spark that catalyzed the creation of Tarpley? A meditation in 2019 that led to the realization that clothing is energy.
When did fashion design become a passion and intended career path for the founder? While DJing, the founder saw the impact of clothing on those around them and became fascinated with the power of underground designers and styling.
How would you define Tarpley’s style? Sophisticated function.
Tarpley: Standing Out in the Crowded Fashion Scene
What makes Tarpley unique in today’s fashion scene? The brand creates a new design language by building on past work rather than drastically changing each season. The result is a clean, sophisticated, and edgy aesthetic that radiates positive energy.
What role does memeology play in Tarpley’s ethos? Memes are a form of communication for the founder’s generation and often inspire the brand’s designs. For example, this season’s super-wide business trousers were inspired by the “if your boss is wearing these pants, you’ll make it through the recession” meme.
What style codes or eras inspire Tarpley? The ’90s, with its anti-fashion minimalism, is a major influence for the brand. Designers like Helmut Lang, Yohji Yamamoto, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein embody the sleek sophistication and edge that inspires Tarpley.
The Challenges and Future of Tarpley
What was the biggest challenge in building Tarpley? Running the brand from Nashville while being based in New York, a fashion hub.
What’s next for Tarpley? The brand plans to continue spreading positive energy and evolving its unique design language, while also expanding its reach and impact in the fashion world.
