Boards in hand, familiar faces on the runway, and collaborators in the crowd: the Grand Collection show was a reminder that community, not spectacle, is what drives the label forward. Event producer Chris Cardenas caught the tone before the lights even rose at the show on August 15th. When asked about his excitement levels, he immediately replied,

“Of course, I’m always excited… Fashion is what brought me to New York, [so I’ve] got to be grateful for something, right?”

That shared sentiment of gratitude and light levity threaded through the night as the lights rose on Grand Collection and the first model hit the show’s catwalk entryway steps. These clothes resisted the trappings of runway pretension. Grand Collection’s familiar, functional shapes were clearly present — loose tees layered over button-downs, classic trousers tightened with drawstring pulls peeking out from inside the waistband, cropped cut hems hovering above the ankle. The best standouts were pieces that came with a cheeky twist, such as a navy velour track set combining delicate embroidery and dainty piping — playful in its luxury, and knowingly impractical for skating. The look seemed to dare its wearer to even think about an accidental fall from a skateboard onto the harsh concrete.

For those following streetwear trends: yes, the divisive New Balance sneaker-loafer hybrid that split the internet last season returned to stride down the runway — once controversial and elevated to meme status, now a cult reference to the idea that fashion can be both subversive and a bit unserious.

If the collection nodded to function, the casting was pure community. Designer Ben Oleynik filled his runway with faces tied to his story (friends, family, former coworkers) rather than a roster of anonymous models. One notable moment came when a former corporate colleague walked the runway in support of Oleynik’s leap into building Grand Collection full time.

V Man Magazine editor-at-large Charlie Kolbrener, a personal friend of Oleynik front row at the show, excitedly explained over a cocktail after the show why that mattered:

“Ben got so many people who are here jobs, opportunities, and advice. They are where they are now because of his authenticity and positive spirit. Of course they come to support each other. … He’s who I call when I’m making big decisions. He gets it.

You know, there are so many people who care about what they wear but who aren’t watching the latest Dior show. There are a lot of people who are wearing things that are not high fashion. It’s actually one of my favourite things about New York.” These all day borough faces are the deserving crowds that flock to Oleynik’s designs within Grand Collection, looking for something real with spirit for their everyday routines without feeling overdone. “I feel like I rarely see [Ben] wear something that’s not on brand. The brand is all tee shirts and jeans and sweaters. So he’s always wearing something Grand Collection,” Kolbrener muses.

This special deviation away from typical runway even draws fellow designers into its orbit. Designer Kim Shui of her eponymous label, herself a fixture of New York’s fashion week schedule in recent seasons, walked the show in a clear affirmation of the mutual respect and deep connection among New York’s independent fashion circles. In the front row, celebrity rapper A$AP Ferg embodied the same easygoing spirit that defined the collection. Flashing his gold teeth and taking a swig from a full-sized golden liquor bottle just as the show began, he leaned into the moment with the same “not that serious” ethos Grand Collection champions. Ferg has become recognized by the industry for his recent forays into fashion, racing, and lifestyle influence alongside music, so his appearance at Grand Collection’s streetwear show aligned well.

The show’s catchy energy spilled beyond the clothes. Guests rolled in on skateboards and longboards, catching the boards in hand at the door like simultaneous accessories and credentials. The vibe inside was lighter than most NYFW shows, free from the rigid posturing that usually defines the week.

In fact, “it’s really not that serious” might as well have been stitched into every look: in those drawstrings peeking out from trousers, in velour daring you to fall, in sneakers that thought they would rather be loafers. Grand Collection proves you don’t need to reinvent silhouettes to make a statement — you just need authenticity and a dose of free will. As the venue emptied after the last parade of looks, Oleynik took his bows and skateboards clattered again on the pavement. Outside, groups lingered, boards propped against curbs and smoke clouds drifting up into the night. A few souvenir hidden tequila bottles slipped between hands, laughter rising louder than the traffic white noise of the city. The afterparty wasn’t separate from the show; it was the show. A living extension of Oleynik’s world, where fashion thrives not on exclusivity but on the same network of care that drives skate culture itself. After all, for Grand Collection, the real message is simple: fashion matters most when it’s worn with spirit and shared with your community.

In the end, it turns out it’s not that serious after all.

Exclusively for No Alibi Magazine.

Designs by Grand Collection by Ben Oleynik in partnership with New Balance athleticwear.

No Alibi Magazine is founded and creatively directed by Elijah Crawford.

Words courtesy of Editor-in-Chief Laur Weeks. 

Photography courtesy of Audrey Gallagher. 

Runway production by Christopher Cardenas of  CS Global Group.