First, the obi is tied in a special knot (an "under-hakama knot") at the rear; men start with the front section, bringing the ties around the back and crossing them over the top of the knot of the obi.
The obi is tied in a special knot (an "under-hakama knot") at the rear. This was first. Men start with the front section. Men are bringing the ties around the back. Men are crossing them over the top of the knot of the obi.