Profile

After its Nolita outpost was shuttered in 2003, this Tokyo-based streetwear brand launched three stores in Japan before venturing back to New York in March 2009. In contrast to neighboring downtown streetwear spots, Prohibit largely forgoes neon slogan T-shirts and flashy sneakers with its more subdued house label: plaid cotton button-downs, classic nylon-blend jackets, fur-lined winter parkas, and—the main focus—Japanese selvage denim. The raw denim is woven on old-school projectile looms (the same type used to make Levi’s 501s), dyed dark indigo, and coated with a resin for durability and stiffness. The store is staffed by a streetwear-savvy crew hailing from Japan, L.A., and New York, each of whom can explain the intricate process behind rare Japanese washi denim and the distinction of cut-and-sew sweatshirts from Milton. The store hosts limited-edition collaborations with Japanese brands each season, from watches and accessories to jeans. — Lauren Murrow