OC x NYFW: Highland SS14

The hair was one of the first things you noticed at Highland's presentation last night. It was Hanson hair. As in of the seminal boy band Hanson, whose members, at their prime in 1996, had FLAWLESS honey-blond surfer cuts. This was totally in keeping with the narrative of Highland's spring collection, which centered loosely on the subcultural Neverland that is Venice Beach, California. "It's a time warp which never seems to grow old or up," said designer Lizzie Owens. And so the boys last night wore a diverse mix of sportswear, plaid flannel, and hippie favorites like crochet skullcaps and tie dye. The mix artfully echoed what you mind find on the floor of a surfer's bedroom floor.

"Exactly who is this guy?" we asked Highland's Cramer. He imagined "the captain of the lacrosse team who fails a drug test, drops out of school, and moves to Venice to surf forever." As a former jock, this guy has a lot of sportswear in his closet. Along with the brand's cult athletic-stripe tees, there were logoed soccer shorts, and tracksuits in a standout chrome sateen. Styled with old-school Converse sneakers and presented in a set that looked like a weightlifting club backroom (complete with a pinup of Arnold Schwarzenegger), the collection was a total Highland high point.

Photos by James Parker | E-mail SISI@OPENINGCEREMONY.US to be notified when the SS14 collection arrives at OC!