Cav Empt was founded in 2011 in the aftermath of the Tokyo earthquake by Toby Feltwell, SK8THING and Hishiyama Yutaka. Short for “Caveat Emptor” which is Latin for “let the buyer beware” it originates from a tattoo on the character Pat Conley in the Philip K. Dick book Ubik, which SK8THING had been reading at the time.

The three met through NIGO at A Bathing Ape - SK8THING being a graphic designer responsible for much of BAPE's iconic graphics, Hishi responsible for production and Toby's background in A&R at Mo'Wax and XL and later working with NIGO through Pharrell and BBC.

Their shared experience brings dystopian garment dyed products, military-inspired outerwear and digital, space influenced graphics.