WTAPS
WTAPS is the brainchild of Tetsu Nishiyama, otherwise known as TET, and refers to his focus on paired down, military inspired apparel that doesn’t water down the context from which it is extracted. It’s the “second shot” following Nishiyama’s first brand called Forty Percent Against Rights, which is still in production today. WTAPS was founded in 1996 in partnership with Shinsuke Takizawa’s Harajuku-based Neighborhood, producing clothing according to the guiding principles of Taoism, the carpentry practice of Miya-daiku and the concept of seikatsu. There is a through line through each of these pillars — harmony with one’s surroundings, honoring imperfections and embodying the role of a seikatsusha, one who takes an active role in shaping life’s terrain. Nishiyama aims to do away with barriers between work, play and learning, allowing WTAPS to become a living embodiment of himself and the people he works with. It can be disruptive in nature, choosing to look at the connection between military dress and the fashion industry without flinching. The function inherent in Nishiyama’s expression sits with its unseemly associations, looking outward without drawing a conclusion. It’s this sense of balance, this frankness of expression that has attracted a devoted following over the course of its near 30 year-long run. Look into the world, into yourself. Make a choice, and make it count.
