Street wear in the Fairfax District

Around the corner, young shoppers at the Hundreds store look at more street wear -- casual clothes aimed at quasi-underground subcultures such as skaters and hip-hop fans.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Amanuel Ketebo, 14, of Las Vegas tries on shoes at the Hundreds. One key to the Hundreds’ popularity is its blog, written by co-founder Bobby Kim, which helps customers feel that they’re in the loop.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Green shoes pop against a black wood display in the Hundreds store.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

This Hall of Fame hat isn’t shy. Street-wear lines often feature T-shirts with bold graphics, layered pieces, strong colors on baseball caps and shoes, hooded sweat shirts and raw, dark denims.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Scott Mackey is manager at street-wear store HUF, also on the 400 block of N. Fairfax Avenue.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

San Francisco-based HUF opened its L.A. shop last year. The Fairfax District has become a destination spot for street-wear brands.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Shoes line the walls of Flight Club on Fairfax. Flight Club has only two other shops, both in New York.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

The appeal of street-wear brands such as Flight Club is based on the idea that their products are not mainstream.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Diamond Supply Co. sells signature socks practically next door to Flight Club.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Signature hat at Diamond Supply Co. The street-wear stores have helped produce a small renaissance in the Fairfax District’s faded commercial area.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Signature wheels at Diamond Supply Co.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Reserve, across the street from Hall of Fame, focuses more strongly on photography and pop culture. This T-shirt bears the Pulitzer-winning picture of a badly burned girl in Vietnam.  (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)