Streetwear ruled the opening of "New York Fashion Week: Men's" on Monday, with designers taking cues from the style inspired by hip-hop, skateboarding culture and retro 90's fashion. 

Head of State and creative director Taofeek Abijako described his brand DNA as street style, and showed sweatpants and tracksuits mixed with leather jackets and wool overcoats for the Fall 2018 season.  

The 19-year-old Nigerian transplant, who started his brand in his bedroom, said that he tried to capture his West African background and American sensibility. 

"The story for Winter 2018, it's capturing my assimilation with American culture as well as my West African culture...because I lived in West Africa and also moving to New York, and in a way, I feel like I am two different people in both cultures, but those two people are like siblings, they are brothers. So the title of the collection is called 'Brotherhood', and it's like finding a balance between both persons, " Taofeek Abijak explains.

"Project Life Creation," or PLC for short, is a sophisticated menswear brand that retails at high-end department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue. They too found inspiration in streetwear, and are hoping to strike a delicate balance between contemporary and street style.

At PLC's show, a sharp suit was paired with a patched bomber jacket, while an olive tracksuit was topped with a structured gray coat. Looks were often finished with black military boots and oversized printed shawls for a relaxed feel. 

Streetwear brand "Diplomacy" presented its first collection under new creative director Eric Archibald. 

The former celebrity stylist showed a collection of matching nylon separates, statement joggers and oversized hoodies. 

New York Fashion Week: Men's runs until February 7, and will be directly followed by the week-long presentation of women's wear.