Edwin Faeh founded Carhartt Work in Progress, the European streetwear arm of Carhartt.
Faeh established Work in Progress in 1989 to distribute and develop Carhartt products in Europe. The project helped adapt the American workwear company’s rugged garments for European youth, music, skateboarding, and streetwear communities.
Carhartt itself was founded in Detroit in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt. Its original reputation came from durable work clothing, including jackets, overalls, and trousers. Work in Progress retained those utilitarian foundations while introducing new fits, colors, and collections for a fashion-focused audience.
The two names are often treated as interchangeable, but they describe different parts of the business. Carhartt is the original American workwear brand, while Carhartt WIP is the European-oriented label and distribution operation associated with Faeh.