shegotgame @ #ALLSTARTO - #SNKRSXPRESS Experience
All aboard the #SNKRSXPRESS! Nike Basketball always come up with some of the most inventive experiences and All-Star in Toronto is no exception. One of the most interesting activations is the #SNKRSXPRESS experience which is a tricked out Toronto streetcar featuring an interactive buying experience. You embark the train at 277 Queen Street West thanks to reservation on Nike.com/Toronto. Once you're inside you're issued a boarding pass, take a photo of your "game face" and check out all the product on display. There are all sorts of basketball-inspired touches like a basketball chandeliers and light fixtures, a table full of heat and even a shoe cleaning station courtesy of Jason Markk.
Next up, you board the car and get an assigned seat. Each seat is assigned an Nike Basketball NBA player - I had Draymond Green. Next, you put on a pair of headphones and watch an introduction video by the Raptors' own DeMar DeRozan on an iPad. DeMar breaks down the experience, which includes trivia games, curated Spotify playlists, a GameFace photo generator, and of course the option to buy shoes.
The shoes available for purchase show up on the SNKRS app right on the iPad. The items available will change throughout the weekend and include the latest heat from Nike Basketball as well as retros and re-releases. Once you make the purchases, you pick them up at your final stop on the #SNRKSXPRESS. The ride takes about 20 minutes and is a fun, immersive experience. There are plenty of fire kicks on display all the custom details - like the Nike branding, wood panelling and the complete overhaul of a Toronto staple - is really dope. If you get a chance to take a rid, you won't regret it! If not, be sure to check out the photo below and let me know what you'd cop if you had the chance.
Photos courtesy of Katherine Roy. Special thanks to Jordan and Nike Basketball.
2011 NBA Draft Style Analysis: The Suits Finally Fit and Kemba is King
The 2011 installment of the NBA Draft was not given the opportunity to be great. Madison Square Garden, the usual host for festivities, is under renovation so the hopeful rookies had to travel across the Hudson River to Newark and walk the stage at Prudential Center. Bloggers and basketball pundits dismissed the next class of NBA talent as bottom tier. Also, with a lockout looming - will these young men ever see playing time? In 2003, LeBron James' oversized white ensemble was better suited for a pimp and not the first overall draft pick. His personal style has evolved thanks in part to the dress code, maturity and careful image management. The NBA instituted the dress code in 2005 and it came at the perfect time as menswear was moving towards to the skinny suit and tailored styles thanks to Hedi Slimane at Dior Homme. Fitted or "European" styles began dominating locker rooms along with luxury sneakers and Louis Vuitton everything. Braids began disappearing as Carmelo Anthony shaved his off and Kobe Bryant switched from jerseys pre-game to suits. Players no longer wanted to look like Allen Iverson but now Kanye West's fashion forward style evolution was to be mimicked. This year's draft class may not have hit the perfect style notes but it's clear that with the help of stylists, the new kids are learning how important fit is in a suit. Gone are the days of the LeBron white suit or Jalen Rose's infamous red atrocity. Without further ado, here's the best, worst and downright average style grades for the 2011 NBA draft class. It should come as no surprise that a New York kid wins my award for best dressed. Kemba Walker won my respect and fashion gold star last night because he wore a suit that was not only perfectly cut for his body type but because he was able to still let his personal style shine through. Last year, Wesley Johnson's plaid pants and double-breasted ensemble may have been sartorially inclined but it looked like the outfit wore him, not the other way around. Walker looked both comfortable and cool in the single breasted blue-grey suit. The peaked lapels were in proportion with his shoulders and the jacket was modern without being fussy. Walker was already on my radar for his understated, well-fitting suit at Connecticut's visit with President Obama after winning the NCAA National Championship. His big heart and great speaking skills makes him a complete player off the court as well - he's a marketing dream. In fact, he already has endorsement deals in place with Axe and Best Buy without the elusive title of being the number one draft pick. Walker's accessory choices elevated his look from above average to exquisite. The pocket square in beige with a pink hue picked up the rose gold outsole of his two-tone shoes. The tie bar kept his look clean but added some visual interest on his thin, patterned tie. Even his belt was a leather with a pink undertone to tie it all together. Fellas, when I say the items of your outfit don't have to match but they have to go, I'm talking about putting an ensemble together like Walker's. The hues (underlying color) are all in the same family - blue in the primary items and pink in the accessories. Since the colors are all related, they work in harmony. I'm excited to see what Walker brings to Charlotte off the court. According to my favorite Bobcats' source, Ben Swanson (a.k.a. CardboardGerald), the rookie came to the press conference dressed to impress in Louis Vuitton sneakers. Kemba Walker, you're on my fashion radar. He's my early pick for style rookie for the season....if we get a season.
Walker's swag dominated the night but credit has to be given both to my Canadian countryman Tristan Thompson, as well as Marshon Brooks for sporting full ensembles not just a suit. Thompson (and his personal shopper) found a suit that managed to fit him perfectly without looking snug in the shoulders or short in the sleeves - an issue for a player with a seven feet, two-inch wingspan.The polka dot tie contrasts with the pink tone in the shirt and the paisley pocket square ties it all together.His rose gold watch face is the right shade for his skin tone and the leather watch strap and shoes are the perfect complimentary shade of warm saddle brown - this is how to wear black and brown together. It certainly looked like Thompson dressed to best match his new Cavaliers cap - think he knew something the media didn't?
In every draft class, there seems to be one player that calls dibs on the bow tie and tries to make it work for him. This year, Marshon Brooks took the honor. The last time a bow tie was worn properly was when James Harden sported his cream ensemble and has since had the neck accessory a signature. Brooks seems to be following Harden's sartorial example. Brooks was originally drafted by the Celtics before being moved to the Nets, sported another bow tie at his introductory press conference in Newark. For draft night, his two piece grey suit fit in the shoulders and the sleeve length was fine although it could be taken in more in the torso and in arm width to remove some of the bulk - the ill fit was made obvious when he stood up to meet Commissioner Stern. Besides the technical suiting issues, the patterned shirt mixed with the neutral grey suit really make the bow tie the star to the outfit. A good tactic to draw attention up to Brooks' face and away from the terrible adidas draft caps.
The number one pick in the 2011 NBA Draft was Kyrie Irving out of Duke University and the only thing that streamed first overall about his outfit was his timepiece.Besides the impressive watch, the rest of ensemble was average - decent fitting jacket and shirt, pants could be tailored and the tie was too skinny and poorly knotted. Hopefully fellow rookie Tristan Thompson and veteran NBA fashion plate Baron Davis can help their new teammate take some risks this season.
Speaking of sartorial risks, Kawhi Leonard went for preppy throwback look with white piping on black two button suit. When I originally saw this suit, I immediately thought he belonged on a yacht or perhaps parking cars at the yacht club. The buttons are a bit distracting and the pocket square seems like an afterthought but the piping has grown on me. Keeping the shirt and tie relatively neutral was a smart move so it didn't distract from the jacket. The fit is decent, but as with many of these young men, the sleeve could be slimmed down. A pop of color or sheen in the pocket square could have upgraded the look and he might want to re-think the braids - no one should take manscaping cues from Udonis Haslem.
Pocket squares have become the new accessory of choice for NBA draftees in recent years and this year, some players either didn't put enough thought into them (Leonard) or tried too damn hard. It's important to remember that for these young men, most of their interviews will head and shoulder shots so the pocket square will be shown and having one that looks like a used tissue stuffed in your pocket looks sloppy. The Morris brothers were a great story of the draft, twins going one right after another to different cities for the first time in their young lives. But they had me crying foul all over Twitter as with the pocket square, bigger is not necessarily better as you have a limited space to display your accessory.
Markieff Morris, the slightly older twin and the first to be drafted, thirteenth overall to the Suns, wore a pinstripe suite that looked be right off the rack and ill-fitting on his massive frame. The jacket is too long, the shoulder are bunching and sleeves and pants must be taken in. Also, on a large man a three-piece suit adds bulk, he should have gone for a sleeker silhouette. As for the pocket square, it looks like he found some iridescent Kleenex and stuffed it in his pocket. The fact that you actually see a bulge from the access fabric in the jacket is a terrible look. Remember, it's a square, not a scarf. While we're on accessories, white watches, like white sunglasses, often just look cheap and it does not work with his outfit at all.
Marcus Morris, the younger brother by seven minutes, was drafted next to another Western Conference team, the Houston Rockets. Marcus, followed suit almost literally with a pinstripe three-piece suit in black that was looked to fit in the shoulders but not so well elsewhere. Not to be outdone by his brother, upped the pocket square ante as his almost reached his tie knot - far too large. I'm all for flair but the pocket square took over his entire outfit and you became distracted by his accessory and not listen to what the newly minted rookie had to say. Also, if you look the Morris' brothers wore similar shirt and ties. The best moment from the twin's draft came from their interview with their mother, who was also in a pinstripe suit, who said she wouldn't wear either of the adidas draft caps - smart woman.
As for the rest of the draft class, it was nice to see the players put some effort into their attire, the recent explosion of athlete stylists are certainly helping keep the players current. Derrick Williams tried to work with a skinny suit silhouette but didn't make it. The tailoring was fine but the tie knot didn't work with the shirt or the tie width. The bright red tie was a nice burst of color, but some more texture would have really made Williams stand out.
Jimmer Fredette came into the draft with plenty of hype thanks to his ridiculous NCAA campaign. While Fredette's stock dropped a touch on concerns over lack of defensive fundamentals and size, his fashion game could probably use a return to basics. His jacket hit in the wrong spot and Fredette looked like he was sporting a pot belly. The stance on his jacket was a touch high and the cut made him look boxier. Dressing in BYU blue (navy suit, blue tie, blue shirt, blue watch) was a nice nod to his alumna matter but it came off a little dull. Fredette is more modest than most NBA rookies but his giant timepiece and rapping brother give the impression that the young man from upstate New York wants to take a few more risks.
Finally, I have to give points to Jonas Valanciunas, my hometown Toronto Raptors fifth overall draft pick. Most Raptors picks were hoping that local hero Tristan Thompson would have his homecoming on the Air Canada Centre court, but as usual the Raptors went European. Valanciunas went for subtle but well-tailored. The olive-green tie and pattern mixing with a different pocket square elevated the look from basic to interesting. The sleeve length was also on point so kudos to the unknown centre. I'm sure he'll be a frequent visitor to Yorkville this season, Toronto's high-end shopping neighbourhood soon.
Overall, this year's draft class was an improvement over last year's. The new crop of NBA rookies need to continue to practice and perfect the art of fit and how to dress their frames. Hopefully they'll start taking more risks and find their own personal style among the NBA trends and Louis Vuitton littered locker rooms. Good luck gentlemen and welcome to the big leagues.
Photos courtesy of ESPN.com,Yahoo Sports and NBA.com.
James Harden: Most Fashionable Man-Child
James Harden is only twenty-one, just old enough to buy alcohol legally in the United States. Harden is proving his worth for the Thunder these playoffs, averaging eleven points a game and shooting almost forty-one percent from the field. Harden is providing a spark for his teammates off the bench, but NBA fans are more enamoured with his unique manscaping and style. The member of the Thunders' Broingtons always stands outs among the usual NBA off-court uniform of dark, ill-fitting suits or head to toe Gucci ensembles. For the post-season, the Los Angeles native kept his full beard and shaved his hair into a mini mohawk. The hairstyle speaks to Harden's quirky California personal style and boyish charm.
When the Oklahoma City Thunder came to Toronto earlier in the season, I chatted with the sophomore shooting guard about his infamous beard and personal style. The beard discussion was posted on The Basketball Jones but Harden and I got to talking fashion and sneakers, too.
Harden defines his style as very LA, which to him means "flannels, little t-shirts, [Nike] Dunks, varsity jackets, stuff like that". While being a LA native, the west coast kid doesn't think he has a specific personal style code. If he sees some nice clothes, he buys them - one of the luxuries of having an NBA salary. "I wear a lot of [Nike] Dunk's, cartoon shirts, varsity jackets". Harden's love of cartoon shirts is something that's caught my eye since he was in college. It's not a look that's very popular on the east coast but for Harden, the cartoon shirts started because it's all about the shoes, "I get shirts to match my dunks. They got a store [in LA] called Hot Topic and they have a lot of cartoon shirts there..it's just about being from LA".
Harden's other style signature is the bow tie. It started at the NBA Draft with Harden's statement making outfit.. He wore a cream colored vest, pants, a striped shirt, a tan sport coat, a diamond encrusted watch and a burgundy patterned bow tie. While it was a lot of look, Harden just wanted to wear something different, "I don't think I thought about it...With the bow tie, I have a lot of them now....it's different, unique [my style] just comes natural, not something I try to do." Since the night he joined the Thunder, Harden's racked up over ten bow ties and plans on getting a lot more as he buys more suits.
Harden will be buying more suits mostly due to the NBA dress code. While most players are able to bring their own flare to their outfits despite Commissioner Stern's rules, Harden admits most of his wardrobe goes unworn on game days. "I [usually] wear a lot of hats, t-shirts, that I can't wear...The rules are put in place for a reason, but I still try to work around it". The shooting guard may think his style is the best in the league, but he'd still jump at the chance to raid a few wardrobes. "[I'd like to see what] top guys like Kobe and Lebron got in their closet, they probably got tons of stuff in their closet, I just to see what their wardrobe looks like."
Harden's personal style extends to his shoes, too. He can't pick a favorite pair but his choice Nike model will always be the Dunk. He's looking at adding the Gucci inspired pair to his collection and also loves the Canal Street Air Force One's because they're "cool and bright". Harden's style advice for those who want to follow his lead is to experiment with colors and not focus on one style, "anything you see that's unique and different, try to pick it up." Harden's hair is evidence that he practices what he preaches and allows him to bring his style on the court too. I wouldn't suggest the mohawk and beard combo unless you're around Harden's age or can grow a significant beard like him.
Walt "Clyde" Frazier: On Style, Sager and Exotic Skins
The NBA is not without its characters. Basketball is a team sport, but it also allows for style and individualism as displayed in a perfect finger roll, an ankle breaking crossover or the angle of a headband on a furrowed brow. In the last few years, NBA players are truly embracing their own sense of style off the court by hiring stylists, starting clothing lines and even modelling. It's normal for a modern athlete to have multiple hustles when they're not on the court to make sure that their brand and finances stay strong through retirement or injury.
This generation of All-Star players showing an interest in fashion have their older generations to thank for trailblazing in the style department. Walt "Clyde" Frazier is a retired two-time NBA champion and now serves as the colour commentator for Knicks' broadcasts on MSG Network and he bring his own flavour and colourful wardrobe to every game. I didn't get to watch Frazier playing, as he ruled the hardwood in the 1970's, but I'm always fascinated by his personal panache and candor on MSG. Walt is a style icon, perhaps the greatest ever that graced the NBA.
Frazier came to New York as an Atlanta boy and took the social scene by storm with his "WCF" vanity plate on his Rolls Royce, fur coats, custom designer suits, late nights in Harlem and the Upper East Side and his signature swagger. He will always be the epitome of cool. He owns the honor of being one of the first NBA players to have a signature shoe, the Clyde - in suede, of course, and it still sells strongly even thirty years after the shoe's initial release. His lexicon on the MSG broadcasts are often imitated - there's even a fake Walt Frazier Twitter account, and his wardrobe choices are always screen grab worthy. He's an author and literally wrote the book on cool, Rockin' Steady: A Guide to Basketball and Cool, wherein he admitted he spent half of his rookie salary, $10,000, on clothes. He's often named to best dressed lists and was recently featured in GQ's special issue on the twenty-five coolest athletes of all time. Even USA Today's Money section took note of his long time work with Manhattan's Mohan's Custom Tailor. Frazier's a long time client of Mohan's and in return for his endorsement, gets a steep discount on suits. And yes, Mohan's was responsible for the cowhide and leopard-skin concoctions but Frazier found the fabric on his own.
When the Knicks were visiting the Raptors this season, I made it my mission to track down Mr. Frazier (as I wasn't sure whether it was proper or not to call him Walt or Clyde). After asking Amar'e all I could about his impending (and now published) work in Vogue, I trolled the halls of the Air Canada Centre in my four-inch gold eel skin platforms, looking for Frazier. I wore the exotic skinned shoes hoping that they would bring me luck, and although not practical, I managed to catch Clyde. He wore a ball cap, instead of his trademark fedora and a fully custom-made ensemble. He wore green plaid corduroy single breasted suit, with a yellow patterned collared shirt, a black, pink and green striped tie and tan ostrich leather shoes. He was even kinder than he appears on television. He smiled through the interview, is patient, soft-spoken and has a true passion for bespoke suits and basketball.
I've waited to post this interview and today, March 29th, being that is his sixty-sixth birthday, seems like an appropriate time to pay tribute to a true style icon and genuine character in sports. Oh, and for those wondering - his outfit matched the birthday cake that MSG presented him with yesterday. Now that's special. Frazier has done what most athletes dream of doing - he's become a lasting and employed figure after his playing days. He may even be better known now for his ridiculous suits and rhyming catch phrases than his steals and championships. Perhaps, one day I can go fabric hunting in the garment district of Manhattan with Frazier (my birthday wish), but for now, I hope you enjoy this snippet of Clyde.
Megan Wilson: How did you develop your own sense of style? What made you "Clyde"?
Walt Frazier: Coming to New York was just a Mecca of clothes, I used to follow my teammates when I was a rookie I used to go where they got their suits made, their shirts made.... What set me apart was my hat - the Clyde hat - then I bought the Rolls Royce and the mink coat so that developed into a style.
MW: Fashion always changes every season. We see it in the NBA now with players like Amar'e Stoudemire going for a more tailored look. How has your style changed from when you were playing?
WF: Well when I was playing in the '70's - the lapel used to come all over your jacket so they'd come down on your jacket. The ties were wide then they made them narrow. Men's fashion is not like women where you're going to have dramatic changes all the time so if you hold on to the stuff it will come back in style. What I like are colours, different colour combinations. Today, I have something that I think is different. Like the shoes, people usually black shoes or grey shoes with this suit but I like the antelope colour. With antelope I can add some pizzazz to it.
MW: What's your favorite exotic skin to wear?
WF: I have stingrays... Stingrays makes up a nice boot. I have alligator, but sometimes using the belly gives you a different look, a softer look. I used to be really into fashion, like when I was playing, I used to spend months and months [of salary] on clothes and outerwear. But I still like being fashionably dressed, I spend a lot of time picking out my ties and my shirts. I think when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you look good so that's what I try to do.
MW: When you go to the tailor to have your suits custom-made, do you design them as well?
WF: Ya, I tell them about the lapel, which type of lapel and the buttons. I essentially design them. Like this fabric I picked myself. I was in a fabric store and I saw the fabric, then I take it to my tailor and tell them I want it double-breasted, single breasted, whatever type [of] cut.
MW: Who do you think has the best style in the NBA now? Who's on par with the players of your day, does anyone compete?
WF: Like you said, Amar'e is good. He wears a more tailored, European style fit. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, I've seen these guys too. They kinda go with the college kinda look, with the sweaters, they kinda mix it up.
MW: Do you think it's good to take a risk with fashion and not playing it safe?
WF: Well, I like challenges ... I like to step out and do that. I guess in New York, you can do that, no one will stare at you no matter what you wear.
MW: You've had some memorable outfits, do you have a favorite? Is it hard to choose?
WF: Not really. This one is good today, I like tomorrow['s suit]. I've got to come up with something new so I never reach the pinnacle, just another plateau when I see another suit (laughs) and try to top that one. That's what I try to do every game. ... The fans now know that I'm going to have a different suit so they're looking to see what I'm wearing so I have to give them something new.
MW: Now, NBA bloggers out there are always interested in what you are but don't have a baller's budget. What kind of tips would you give to them to get a cool, Clyde style?
WF: Don't push the colours all the time, it's about the fit. If you can get a nice tailored fit, like we're saying with Amar'e, you can probably get that off the rack, people will probably think you've had that custom-made. Of course for shirts, you can get them tailored. But the tie and handkerchief a lot of the time make the outfit. If you can get a nice tie and a nice pocket square to finish it off.
MW: So where did your outfit come from today?
WF: My tailor, Mohan's Custom Tailors did the suit. My shoes are made of ostrich leather and I had them made up custom by a guy in downtown New York. My tie is a custom-made by a guy named John Coages, I usually go to him to get my ties. What happens when you're a tall guy is that your ties have to be longer than a regular tie, I can't always buy ties from the store because if I want to do a different knot. And it's not that expensive, maybe a hundred and twenty dollars.
MW: Who do you think has the better style - you or Craig Sager?
WF: (laughs) I think he's a little more flamboyant than I am... I think my style is a little better. It's because I'm taller - taller guys can wear a little better style.
Marilyn Monroe is the Heat’s #1 Fan?
