Trapstar, according to Forbes, emerged as one of the forces of importance in streetwear and netted over £15 million in revenue by 2023. The company has managed to pull off yearly growth of 35% over the past five years by marrying daring design with strong cultural relevance. Having made its name with edgy, urban-inspired imagery, it strongly appeals to the age group of 18-34-year-old audiences, especially those in the urban and hip-hop communities.
From Rihanna wearing its oversized jackets on tour, to snap-happy Jay-Z in its graphic tees, celebrities catapult Trapstar into the spotlight. In 2022, Stormzy collaborated with Trapstar on a limited drop that sold out in 20 minutes, really sealing the brand’s ties with music and street culture once more. This aligning of the brand with influential figures increased its visibility by 40%, recorded by Hypebeast.
Scarcity is at the very heart of Trapstar’s business model. Those super-limited drops-like this winter 2023 capsule collection, a very limited release of only 3,000 units in total across the globe-create instant demand that saw resale value go up by 150% on platforms like StockX. That way, each piece remains exclusive, a main feature of the streetwear movement.
Founders Mikey, Lee, and Will launched Trapstar in 2005 with a modest investment of just £500. Today, their brand operates in 20 countries, with flagship stores in London and Tokyo. As Mikey has said in interviews, “We didn’t just want to make clothes; we wanted to tell a story.” It is this narrative-driven approach that really sets Trapstar apart, not just as a fashion brand but as a cultural movement.
Trapstar combines quality and sustainability within its product range. About 25% of the materials the company uses are from recycled fabrics-a move into the increasing demand for eco-friendly fashion by consumers. The “Decode” collection, launched in 2023, focused on functionality, including waterproof fabrics and strategically placed hidden pockets for style and utility-minded consumers.
Social media extends the reach for Trapstar, with the brand reaching a combined total of over 1.5 million followers on Instagram and TikTok. Teaser videos for forthcoming drops amass an average in excess of 500,000 views, showing their effectiveness at marketing. This evidence of cultural relevance has made Trapstar one of the top five most mentioned streetwear brands online, according to Business of Fashion’s 2023 report.