Futuristic romance takes the stage at N. Hoolywood

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jun 5, 2019

The drama of theatre was in full force at N. Hoolywood’s spring/summer 2020 runway show in New York on Tuesday evening.

Held on June 4 at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, the N. Hoolywood collection was shown on a literal stage, in front of an audience sat in rows inside the darkened black box theatre. Simple white lighting lit up the small, all-black stage, before booming classical music began to play and the models emerged.

N. Hoolywood, led by Japanese designer Daisuke Obana, presented clean looks with a futuristic '80s flair and a hint of romance for a spring collection of fluid menswear. As the music playing took on an electronic edge, models showed off red, white and black plaid on trench coats and kilts paired with black platform slides, patent leather dress shoes and knee-high socks.

Next up, a palette of soft greys played across roomy schoolboy-style shorts, as well as collared jackets, break-away pants and a knee-length anorak. Sparks of brighter colors appeared on a teal velour tracksuit; a butter-yellow raincoat; a baggy cobalt blue shirt and a bubblegum pink shirt that peeked out from under a black-and-white striped smock.

Among the overall color story of black, grey, red and the occasional olive green, stand-out pieces featured a large colorful pill print spread over a light, neutral plaid, which showed up on a vest, a jacket and a kilt. Star accessories included a handful of oversized backpacks in black and olive green, as well as a series of black shoes with surprising cotton candy soles, swirling with candy pink and sky blue.

Obana, who hails from the Kanagawa prefecture south of Tokyo, began his fashion career as a vintage buyer. In 1995, he started the vintage shop 'go-getter', where his selection of designer clothing from the 1970s and 80s gained a cult following. Obana then founded N.Hoolywood in 2001, and his collections have been presented in New York since spring/summer 2011.

N. Hoolywood pieces are available inside ‘Mister Hollywood’ stores and through the label’s e-commerce platform. The Mister Hollywood flagship is located in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward.

Among the label’s global projects, N. Hoolywood has previously launched product collaborations with Vans, Taiwanese streetwear and sneaker boutique Invincible, and British heritage sports brand Umbro.