Fashion Feature: h. Naoto returns to San Francisco

Designer Hirooka Naoto speaks to journalists at his August presentation/image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

It seems hard to believe that it was less than six months ago that we met Hirooka Naoto just weeks before his  first ever runway show in San Francisco. Through an exclusive interview for Style Wylde we got to known Naoto as a creative, passionate artist with a serious punk rock attitude whose relative unknown status in San Francisco was mind boggling. We found ourselves wondering How could everyone not know how great he is?

a model poses at the h. Naoto presentation/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

a competitor in the h. Naoto styling competition/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

A few weeks later when Naoto unveiled his collection during the JPop festival it seemed a few in-the-know local fashionistas  were beginning to  catch on.  The first day events featured a private runway show held mostly for fans of his gothic-lolita line, h. Naoto, with a small handful of journalists and bloggers also in attendance. The second day featured an h. Noato styling competition judged by the designer himself and SW editor Cynthia which attracted a noticeably growing group of local photographers in the audience. 

 a competitor answers questions from the judges during the h. Naoto styling competition/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde

That was August. In October, h.Naoto officially opened his US Flagship boutique and suddenly the scene had become standing-room only. At a private reception after the opening, fans of the label mingled with a now more mainstream journalist pool which included writers from The Chronicle, 7x7 and San Francisco Magazine. Further evidence of h. Naoto's sudden 'hipster' appeal was seen as a group of local event promoters were turned away at the door when they attempted to crash the event without an invite.  H. Naoto had arrived!

Hirooka Naoto poses in front of his Japan Town boutique before the crowds arrive/Image:S.Whittle for Style Wylde 

Fast forward six months, and now Naoto is coming to the Bay Area again, this time as a superstar designer. His newest collection in hand he will unveil a duo of runway shows at the DNA Lounge on Monday night as part of the legendary gothic industrial weekly event, Death Guild. Now a major force on the local scene  the h. Naoto runway show is sure to attract a huge crowd of  mainstream journalists,  fashion bloggers and photographers of all levels to the venue; and it's about time.

For more on the h. Naoto event at DNA Lounge, check out this article, and for more images of the h. Naoto collection, styling competition, and the JPOP Festival check out The Style Wylde Galleries.