In 2015, NSF Clothing was honored by GQ magazine as one of the Best New Menswear Designers in America—a moment that marked a major milestone in our journey. Selected alongside standout labels like Stampd, The Hill-Side, and David Hart, NSF was chosen for our laid-back, West Coast aesthetic and our commitment to crafting everyday pieces with a rebellious spirit.
The recognition was more than just a title. It launched a year-long collaboration with GAP, culminating in a special capsule collection that hit stores in the fall of 2015. For us, it meant a chance to bring our signature distressed denim, perfectly worn-in tees, and bleached-out button-downs to a wider audience. Think: grunge-inspired luxury, vintage washes, and clothes that looked and felt like they’d already lived a full life—in the best way.
As GQ put it, the NSF look was “West Coast super-casual to the point of near-grunge.” And that capsule collection reflected just that—hoodies, tees, and patchworked jeans that felt like old favorites the moment you put them on.
It was a defining moment for our founder, Nick Friedberg, who launched NSF in 2005 as a menswear brand. By 2010, he had already begun the transition into womenswear. Jamie Haller joined as creative director in 2011 and brought a distinct point of view that helped shape and elevate the brand’s evolving identity.
And when the GQ award came, it validated what we had always believed: that our DNA—rooted in streetwear, surf, and Southern California cool—had a place far beyond L.A.
Looking back now, nearly a decade later, we’re still proud of what that year represented. It was raw, exciting, and full of growth. It reminded us to keep doing what we do best: creating clothes that feel lived-in, effortless, and unmistakably NSF.
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