San Francisco Skate Culture Made John Elliott a Fashion Star

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During Fashion Week, John Elliott told Complex that his San Francisco upbringing influenced the layered looks and muted palette he selected for fall. But that Bay Area perspective is so much more than just an homage to Karl.

Elliott —recently named one of WWD's "Breakout Menswear Stars"— says that skateboarding in San Francisco shaped his aesthetic. He tells the publication, "It was the pre-tech era, and skateboarding was the alternative sport that was on the cusp of becoming a mainstream thing. All the best skaters were flocking to San Francisco to bomb the hills and go to Embarcadero."

Elliott was enthralled with skateboarding and athletic culture, would draw Nike sneakers like Air Jordans, Bo Jacksons and Andre Agassis. Now 32, he's collaborating with the athletic wear brand on LeBron 12s. It sounds like that sneaker sketching was time well spent.