Empire: Official Carhartt WIP Retailer – Online at ThinkEmpire.com and In-Store.
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a streetwear label founded in 1994 by Edwin Faeh, built on the idea of adapting the core products of American workwear brand Carhartt into modern urban collection...
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a streetwear label founded in 1994 by Edwin Faeh, built on the idea of adapting the core products of American workwear brand Carhartt into modern urban collections. At Empire, we carry Carhartt WIP in-store in Montreal and online at thinkempire.com.
The story behind Carhartt WIP goes back further than 1994. The original Carhartt brand was founded in Detroit in 1889, when Hamilton Carhartt started manufacturing overalls in duck and denim with four sewing machines and five employees. By 1923, the CO1 Chore Coat had entered the lineup and become a defining piece. In the early 1990s, that same utilitarian aesthetic caught on with rappers, graffiti writers, and skaters, far from the factory floors the clothes were made for. Edwin Faeh launched Work In Progress to bring Carhartt to Europe, reworking fits and fabrics for street use while keeping the original construction standards intact.
A brand that moves across cultural spaces.
Carhartt WIP maintains active ties with the techno scenes of Detroit and Berlin, skateboarding communities across Paris, New York, and Seoul, and the contemporary art world. These aren't just marketing touchpoints, they shape what the brand produces, who it works with, and how it presents itself. The yellow 'C' motif is as at home in a late-90s hip-hop video as it is at a skatepark or an art opening.
The Carhartt WIP selection at Empire covers the brand's key pieces: jackets and outerwear built to last, including the iconic Detroit Jacket; pants and denim known for durability and comfort, including the Simple Pant and Single Knee Pant; T-shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks with clean, considered fits; shirts, accessories, and bags round out the range.
What sets Carhartt WIP apart is consistency.
Heavy-duty fabrics, functional cuts, and a minimal aesthetic are deliberate choices, not seasonal decisions. These are garments designed to hold up and age well, whether you're skating, making things, or moving through city life. Carhartt WIP doesn't reinvent itself every drop; it refines.
At Empire, we carry brands that stand for something beyond the surface, and Carhartt WIP fits that standard. The full collection is available online at thinkempire.com with shipping across Canada, and in-store in Montreal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carhartt WIP?
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a streetwear brand founded in 1994 by Edwin Faeh. It adapts the workwear classics of the original American brand Carhartt, established in 1889, into collections embraced by skateboarding, hip-hop, techno, and contemporary art communities worldwide.
What is the difference between Carhartt and Carhartt WIP?
Carhartt is the original American workwear brand, founded in 1889. Carhartt WIP is a separate line launched in 1994 that reinterprets those same garments with updated fits and materials for a streetwear and urban audience.
Where can I buy Carhartt WIP in Canada?
Carhartt WIP is available at Empire in-store in Montreal and online at thinkempire.com, with shipping across Canada.
Is Carhartt WIP connected to skate culture?
Yes. Carhartt WIP has deep roots in global skateboarding, with ties to skate communities in Paris, New York, and Seoul. The brand actively supports riders and creative projects as part of its identity.
Empire: Official Carhartt WIP Retailer – Online at ThinkEmpire.com and In-Store.
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a streetwear label founded in 1994 by Edwin Faeh, built on the idea of adapting the core products of American workwear brand Carhartt into modern urban collection...
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a streetwear label founded in 1994 by Edwin Faeh, built on the idea of adapting the core products of American workwear brand Carhartt into modern urban collections. At Empire, we carry Carhartt WIP in-store in Montreal and online at thinkempire.com.
The story behind Carhartt WIP goes back further than 1994. The original Carhartt brand was founded in Detroit in 1889, when Hamilton Carhartt started manufacturing overalls in duck and denim with four sewing machines and five employees. By 1923, the CO1 Chore Coat had entered the lineup and become a defining piece. In the early 1990s, that same utilitarian aesthetic caught on with rappers, graffiti writers, and skaters, far from the factory floors the clothes were made for. Edwin Faeh launched Work In Progress to bring Carhartt to Europe, reworking fits and fabrics for street use while keeping the original construction standards intact.
A brand that moves across cultural spaces.
Carhartt WIP maintains active ties with the techno scenes of Detroit and Berlin, skateboarding communities across Paris, New York, and Seoul, and the contemporary art world. These aren't just marketing touchpoints, they shape what the brand produces, who it works with, and how it presents itself. The yellow 'C' motif is as at home in a late-90s hip-hop video as it is at a skatepark or an art opening.
The Carhartt WIP selection at Empire covers the brand's key pieces: jackets and outerwear built to last, including the iconic Detroit Jacket; pants and denim known for durability and comfort, including the Simple Pant and Single Knee Pant; T-shirts, hoodies, and crewnecks with clean, considered fits; shirts, accessories, and bags round out the range.
What sets Carhartt WIP apart is consistency.
Heavy-duty fabrics, functional cuts, and a minimal aesthetic are deliberate choices, not seasonal decisions. These are garments designed to hold up and age well, whether you're skating, making things, or moving through city life. Carhartt WIP doesn't reinvent itself every drop; it refines.
At Empire, we carry brands that stand for something beyond the surface, and Carhartt WIP fits that standard. The full collection is available online at thinkempire.com with shipping across Canada, and in-store in Montreal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carhartt WIP?
Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) is a streetwear brand founded in 1994 by Edwin Faeh. It adapts the workwear classics of the original American brand Carhartt, established in 1889, into collections embraced by skateboarding, hip-hop, techno, and contemporary art communities worldwide.
What is the difference between Carhartt and Carhartt WIP?
Carhartt is the original American workwear brand, founded in 1889. Carhartt WIP is a separate line launched in 1994 that reinterprets those same garments with updated fits and materials for a streetwear and urban audience.
Where can I buy Carhartt WIP in Canada?
Carhartt WIP is available at Empire in-store in Montreal and online at thinkempire.com, with shipping across Canada.
Is Carhartt WIP connected to skate culture?
Yes. Carhartt WIP has deep roots in global skateboarding, with ties to skate communities in Paris, New York, and Seoul. The brand actively supports riders and creative projects as part of its identity.
Carhartt Wip
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