Life as a Runway: What 9 Hypebeasts Wore to Hypefest

It was a multicolored sea of collectible sneakers, limited-edition sweatshirts and white-hot brands, including Off-White, Billionaire Boys Club and Supreme. Last weekend, more than 10,000 streetwear aficionados made their way to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for the first-ever Hypefest. Organized by Hypebeast, the online fashion bible and boutique, it was a two-day celebration of all things street wear. Needless to say, attendees wore their A game.

Akina Sato

Age: 35

Profession: Representative for Readymade

What’s Readymade?

It’s a Japanese brand. We’re selling here.

You have what looks like Kermit the Frog on your backpack.

He’s my friend. He died. He’s just a keychain now.

That’s the biggest keychain I’ve ever seen on the smallest backpack I’ve ever seen.

I know. It’s cute.

Your coat is so big, it’s almost a tarp.

It’s a kimono coat. My pants are vintage U.S. Army and the coat is made from vintage military material.

And your boots?

They’re from Margiela. This year. So fantastic. I have 15 pairs. Each color.

I’m into your rings.

1972 Indian jewelry. Looney Tunes. And Disney.

Do you love pop culture?

I think so.

Tyra Mae

Age: 21

Occupation: Student and influencer

Your Instagram handle is @youhadmeatbacon?

I just like bacon.

Your look seem focused on red.

I started with the pleather snakeskin pants. I bought them yesterday at Bershka. The Dr. Martens are Jadon boots.

What about your shirt?

The top is from Matte brand, and the shirt I thrifted.

What is your look all about?

It’s just about me. It’s fearless.

What brings you to Hypefest?

First Hypefest ever. History is being made.

Ariel Grey Watson

Age: 30

Occupation: DJ and musician

So much Palace. Do you like skateboarding?

Yeah. I grew up in Miami so I skateboarded a lot down there.

But now you’re a little old for that.

Yeah, now I just collect the boards sometimes.

Your Supreme T-shirt has an image of the Empire State Building transformed into a phallus.

It’s Mike Kelley. This is all Supreme. The artist on the sweatshirt, who created Akira, is here today.

Your sneakers?

These are Yeezys. They’re Adidas.

Because of Kanye and Trump, does it feel like you’re wearing a Make America Great Again hat on your feet?

Not at all. What he supports isn’t what I support. Everyone’s got their own thoughts and feelings. I like his shoes.

Abdullah Collins

Age: 19

Occupation: Student and video producer

You’re wearing two backpacks.

Honestly it’s just style. They’re hype backpacks. One is Supreme and one is Off-White. Both are very high-end. Both are very expensive.

It’s as if you’re going on a very complicated camping trip.

Right? Like, I need everything.

What’s the face mask about?

It’s a Marc Jacobs mask available here at Hypefest. You can edit the face mask to say different things.

Purple pants, military print hoodie; are you worried about clashing?

My mom tells me all the time. Honestly, I don’t care. I just want colors.

It’s quite a hoodie.

It’s BAPE, by this Japanese designer, Nigo. It’s close to $500.

It’s none of my business, but how did you get $500 to spend on a sweatshirt?

Music videos!

Ziggy Mack-Johnson

Age: 22

Occupation: Fashion influencer

Your hair is striking.

I switch up my hair to be a new person all the time.

Does your necklace say “nasty” or “tasty”?

Nasty.

Are you?

I am. And that’s on the record.

You coat is puffy as heck.

It’s Asos. And I have the crop top underneath.

It’s like a little baby crop top.

This is from Control Sector. The track pants are like scrubs, and glow in the dark.

Tell me about those hiking shoes.

These are the Yeezys. But I don’t even support Kanye right now. He’s lost his damn mind.

Bratislav Tasic

Age: 37

Occupation: Art director and photographer

Your outfit looks like denim, but it’s not.

It’s work wear. A mix of new and vintage. The coat is Supreme and Nike.

Are the pants vintage?

They were one euro at a flea market in Milan. My shirt, too.

What look are you going for?

Straight, normal guy.

It’s quite a wide look, like a marshmallow man.

Yeah, I like this. I go to the gym.

Do you have a name for this look?

No. It’s created in the moment.

Dren Coleman

Age: 25

Occupation: Half of the twin D.J. duo, Angel and Dren

Your dress has a reflector vibe, like a crossing guard.

It’s just bright colors. You will never miss me on the street.

Is it drop shoulder?

Yeah, it’s oversized. From Aland in Williamsburg. It’s a shop out of Korea.

And you wear your bomber off the shoulder.

It just kind of fell and I didn’t touch it.

Do you have a fanny pack? Everyone has one today.

Yes, from Daily Paper, out of Amsterdam.

And you’re wearing boots.

I figured there’d be a lot of sneakers.

DeRay Mckesson

Age: 33

Occupation: Civil rights activist

Almost every guy I’ve interviewed is wearing Yeezys.

That’s frightening.

What are yours?

These are Pharrell. They say “empower” and “inspire.” I’m looking for more clothes here that have a substantive message. I haven’t found anything yet.

Your Patagonia vest and backpack — it’s almost as if you’re about to go on a hike.

I got a lot of work to do.

What about your pants?

These are just Adidas track pants.

Are you loyal to a white oxford.

I’m a pretty basic dresser. I wear a button-down almost every day. My grandfather wore a button-down every day.

Diego Barreto

Age: 23

Occupation: Social media manager for NY Tent Sale

How much of your life has been spent waiting in lines for drops?

I once spent five days on one shoe. And I didn’t get the shoes.

Why do you do it?

It’s the feeling of getting the shoes, opening the box, seeing that you can get it without having to pay $3,000 for the shoes. It’s amazing.

Cool sweater. Where’s it from?

This is a Raf Simons sweater, from the collaboration with Storm Copenhagen. Shout-outs to Grailed. I paid $320.

Do you dress like this every day?

It used to be every day, but since I started collecting these clothes, I knew I had it, so I didn’t have to wear it.