A Look Back at 10 of Hood By Air's Most Provocative Designs

Hood By Air‘s Shayne Oliver recently announced that the brand would be taking a hiatus. Founded in 2006 alongside Leilah Weinraub, the label had an extremely strong run with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Rihanna and Kanye West cosigning Oliver’s wares. Undeniably a force behind the proliferation of streetwear into high fashion, Hood By Air reigned supreme in streetwear with its bold logos and graphics on hoodies and sweatshirts that could be seen almost everywhere from the streets to bootleg markets. But of course, as the brand developed, its runway shows became a different story. Known for its crazy, groundbreaking and headline-making looks, Oliver’s creations were often controversial and boundary-pushing.

Now that Shayne Oliver is on his way to Helmut Lang and Leilah Weinraub is focusing on her film career, let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable Hood By Air moments with 10 of Oliver’s craziest creations.

PornHub Collaboration Tank Top

Season: Spring/Summer 2017 Ready-to-wear
For what ended up being Hood By Air’s last runway showing, the brand collaborated with none other than PornHub. Most of the collection championed Oliver’s musical endeavor WRENCH, but this PornHub shirt turned heads.

Two-in-one Boots

Season: Spring/Summer 2017 Ready-to-wear
Hood By Air shattered the idea of the traditional shoe by creating a Frankenstein two-in-one boot. While it may not scream functional, the boots that walked down the runway definitely stole the spotlight.

Branded Arm Sling

Season: Spring/Summer 2017 Menswear
When regular arm slings aren’t good enough, Hood By Air has got you covered. For its menswear collection. Oliver included slings bearing HBA branding. Fashion meets function in what probably was the first time a fashion brand created its own arm sling.

Pants With Extra Pant Legs

Season: Spring/Summer 2017 Menswear
In the same menswear collection. Oliver designed pants that featured two pant legs. Perhaps this was the precursor to his two-in-one boots in this 2017 spring/summer show, mentioned above. Either way, these pants were representative of the times, where designers including Demna Gvasalia have been experimenting with traditional silhouettes.

Facial Accessories

Season: Spring/Summer 2016 Menswear
Probably one of the most memorable Hood By Air shows, Oliver sent his models down the runway wearing a variety of facial accessories that included padlocked pacifiers and gags. The collection was inspired by narcissism and how toddlers dressed.

Thigh High Stilettos

Season: Fall/Winter 2016 Ready-to-wear
Not one to shy away from shock factors, Oliver sent some of his male models down the runway wearing thigh-high, patent stiletto heels. While this might not be a wearable option for most, it illustrated Oliver’s affinity for gender-blurring looks which have always been core to the HBA ethos.

Hood By Air x Gentle Monster Eyewear

Season: Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-to-wear
Hood By Air collaborated with Korean sunglasses imprint Gentle Monster on a collection of futuristic and avant-garde sunglasses. Featuring bold silhouettes and huge shapes, these shades were not for the faint of heart. The collection retailed from $380 USD and up.

Deconstructed Coat

Season: Fall/Winter 2015 Ready-to-wear
Oliver took the meaning of deconstructed to the next level with this barely-there peacoat. Featuring only the coat lapels and sleeves, the coat may not be very wearable on its own but had potential to be a great layering piece. This piece showcased a theme that became integral to HBA’s runway pieces — deconstruction, cut-outs and slashes. Additionally, the models all walked down the runway with sheer pantyhose over their heads in addition to various facial piercings, making a strong statement and raising the eyebrows of viewers everywhere.

Plexiglass Neck Choker

Season: Spring/Summer 2015 Ready-to-wear
Models in this show walked down the runway wearing bold plexiglass chokers that looked more like futuristic guillotines than accessories. With some models’ arms manacled to the contraption, a huge political statement was made, considering the fact that this show occurred soon after the events in Ferguson, Mo., that jumpstarted the Black Lives Matter movement.

Padlocked Necklace

Season: Fall/Winter 2014 Menswear
Oliver’s accessories in this collection signaled the beginning of the oppressive themes that would run throughout all his HBA creations. A padlock and chain necklace adorned models’ necks and was a bold and suggestive accessory. While chains and heavy metals may be prevalent today, at the time it was definitely a statement.