Street-scouted skateboarders, clean lines and hip refinement – Tea Hacic-Vlahovic takes a closer look at N.Hoolywood AW15.

N.Hoolywood is reliable. The Japanese brand consistently delivers vintage nods, clean lines and hip refinement. Their fall 2015 collection does this best to date. Or, to take out on a date.

At twelve years old, I knew my type. I bought a skateboard to get close to my crushes. I did my best to know my way around hills and ramps. As I fell to my knees, I’d fall for the kick-flipping freaks helping me up. There’s something so sexy about the curve of a ramp! What is it about skater boys that girls go crazy for? Their greasy hair, broken bones or recklessness? I’m guessing it’s their style.

Back to that. The garment district catwalk curved like the inside of an empty pool. The models looked at home on it. The press release didn’t address this but designer Daisuke Obana confirmed the ramp detail was an homage to their street-scouted skateboarders. “We picked our models from skate parks, sidewalks and art academies.” Ahhh, now it all makes sense!

The collection was heavy on khaki, thick knits and ski palates. Snowflakes were sewn into turtlenecks and printed on graphic jackets. The silhouettes were slim and suited for a young explorer…or a runaway school boy! The original hardcore electronic music by Yuji Honda set the mood to ‘sweaty Berlin basement.’ Though the pieces are wholesome on their own, the styling made them just dark enough for a bad boy with overprotective parents.

Daisuke is in touch with youth. “My son often inspires my collections, but this time I got the idea on an unfortunately solitary trip to Colorado.” The snow and mountains encouraged him to create a balance of functionality and beauty; just in time for the coldest New York fashion week in twenty years! Every editor, photographer, model and french bulldog is struggling to look chic while avoiding frostbite! What can we do? “People wear too many layers. The answer is less layers and more quality, technical fabrics.” With Daisuke’s help, the future will be cozy and cool.

I wonder if my mom still has my old skateboard?