Hypebeast Community Center is a new series spotlighting emerging, indie and underground brands in street culture — giving them a platform to share their story and explain who they are/what they do in their own words.
The Five W’s
Who is wearing Tarpley?
Artists, athletes, musicians, content creators, outdoorsmen—a diverse group of individuals.
What is Tarpley’s main message?
“Be a light unto yourself.”
When did you launch Tarpley?
December 2022. I shot, styled, and released a lookbook for a capsule collection, and shortly after, I was invited to Paris Fashion Week. There, I made the connections that got me onto the NYFW calendar, where I’ve been presenting ever since.
Where are people wearing Tarpley?
At concerts, art gallery openings, out in nature, coffee meetups, and in Uber Blacks around the world.
Why was Tarpley created?
To make the world a better place by giving people an energy they’ve never felt before.
“Many of my looks are meme-inspired…Memes may seem far from fashion, but they hold infinite possibilities.”
About The Brand
What was the spark that catalyzed the creation of Tarpley?
A meditation I had in 2019, which led to my thesis: clothing is energy. By creating high-quality, aesthetically pleasing designs, people will look good, feel good, and ultimately make the world a better place.
When did fashion design become a passion for you—and an intended career path?
While DJing, I saw how clothing impacted those around me. Wearing underground designers paired with the right styling created an aura that fascinated me. How was a jacket or shirt creating this energy? That’s when I knew I had to learn how to make clothes, and I haven’t stopped since.
How would you define Tarpley’s style?
Sophisticated function.
What makes Tarpley stand out in today’s crowded fashion scene?
We’re creating a new design language by iterating on past work, rather than changing drastically each season. It’s clean, sophisticated, with a touch of edge and rawness. I reject the modern notion of dystopian, thrift-like designs with no hope. I want you to feel clean, strong, and ready for the world—dressed for utopia and radiating positive energy.
What role does memeology play in the label’s ethos?
Memes are my generation’s communication method. Many of my looks are meme-inspired. This season, I made super-wide business trousers inspired by the “if your boss is wearing these pants, you’ll make it through the recession” meme. Memes may seem far from fashion, but they hold infinite possibilities.
What style codes or eras inspire you?
The ’90s will always be my favorite. Anti-fashion minimalism is everything—Helmut Lang, Yohji, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Calvin Klein. That sleek sophistication with just enough edge inspires me.
What was the biggest challenge in building Tarpley?
Running the brand in New York while living in Nashville. While you can work from anywhere now, being away from the fashion center and production presents challenges. But I refuse to let that be an excuse for failure.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned since launching Tarpley?
In today’s world, attention is the currency, not the work itself. Whether for better or worse, that’s the truth in 2024.
Why should people care about Tarpley?
Tarpley is “wholesome edge.” It offers a new energy in fashion—diverse in community, passionate about positivity, yet comfortable in the darkness. The mission is to create a spiritual energy from the clothes that makes people better versions of themselves, while looking and feeling great. At scale, this will bring an energy to fashion and art culture like never before.