Hood By Air (HBA) is a revolutionary fashion label that transcended traditional streetwear to become a cultural force in the worlds of fashion, art, and music. Founded in 2006 by designer Shayne Oliver in New York City, HBA gained fame for its bold, gender-defying designs and provocative runway shows that challenged the norms of the fashion industry.

Origins and Vision

Shayne Oliver, originally from Trinidad and raised in Brooklyn, launched Hood By Air with the goal of creating a space where marginalized voices—particularly from queer, Black, and hip-hop communities—could be expressed through fashion. The brand started by printing bold graphics on T-shirts, but quickly evolved into high-concept collections that mixed luxury with raw urban aesthetics.

The name “Hood By Air” itself is a play on “By Air,” a nod to luxury travel, and “Hood,” representing street culture. This contrast became the core of the brand’s identity—blending high fashion with the grit and authenticity of the streets.

Breakthrough and Impact

By the early 2010s, Hood By Air had become a global phenomenon. Celebrities like Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, and Rihanna were frequently seen wearing HBA pieces. The brand’s runways at New York Fashion Week were known for their theatricality, avant-garde styling, and casting of models from diverse backgrounds—far from the traditional fashion mold.

HBA was one of the first major brands to blur gender lines in clothing, long before gender-fluid fashion became widely accepted. Its designs often featured exaggerated silhouettes, deconstructed tailoring, and elements of fetish wear, challenging viewers to rethink what fashion could be.

Hiatus and Return

In 2017, Shayne Oliver put HBA on hiatus to collaborate with other fashion houses, including Helmut Lang. During this time, fans speculated whether the brand would return. Finally, in 2020, Hood By Air announced its comeback, not just as a fashion label but as a broader cultural platform—including art, music, and community-building initiatives.

The relaunch emphasized the same bold aesthetics and cultural commentary that made the brand famous, but with a renewed focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and digital innovation.

Legacy

Hood By Air has left a lasting legacy in contemporary fashion. It paved the way for future designers to express their identities unapologetically and helped dismantle rigid binaries in fashion. Shayne Oliver is now regarded as one of the most influential voices in modern design, and HBA continues to inspire a new generation of creatives.

Whether on a runway or in a music video, Hood By Air remains a symbol of fearless creativity, cultural fusion, and unapologetic self-expression.