A New York Fashion Week Minute: Questions for Daisuke Obana of N. Hoolywood

Where does the name N. Hoolywood originate from?
From the area where I'm renting a house. The reason why I doubled the O's in 'Hoolywood'--instead of like in regular Hollywood--is because that my life doesn't belong to Hollywood all the time. I'm not a true Hollywood person. Plus, I thought that "hool" sounds like fool.

If you weren't a fashion designer, what would you be doing?
I think I'd either be a car maintenance technician or a chef who specializes in Japanese cuisine.

What inspired your fall 2012 collection?
The wardrobe of Ernest Hemmingway.

What is your favorite part about being a designer?
My favorite part of being a designer is that my ideas have the chance to influence the mass market.

When you're not designing what are you doing?
Just living an ordinary life--I like going to influential stores around Tokyo.

What is your greatest fear?
To not be impressed or moved by something.

To you, what defines success?
To keep moving forward--which I haven't achieved yet.

Is being a designer what you originally wanted to do?
I'd never thought about it, but when I was a kid, I wanted to be a car designer.

What generally inspires you?
Something I can't figure out how to use inspires me a lot.

What is your own personal style?
Simple and quiet, but I like a glamorous silhouette.

Who is the N. Hoolywood man? What makes him?
I always keep in mind not to design clothes that look good on a man. It has to be the man who stands out in my clothing.
So there is no "N.Hoolywood man." But if I was forced to say someone, maybe it would be me.