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We know that New York Fashion Week is all the rage during the months of September and February. It’s a week-long event full of parties, parties, parties, a few fashion shows here and there, and front-row rosters that get everybody talking.
There was a time when it was just the fashion insiders who had any influence at all, but now athletes are joining in on the fun as well. They know how important it is to stay relevant in other areas of their career, and what better way to do that than by showing face at the most coveted shows during NYFW? Um, by taking over the first ever New York Fashion Week: Men’s, that is.
NYFW: Men’s had our favorites. No, I’m not talking about models with sculpted abs and jawlines perfectly styled in Spring 2016’s essentials. I’m talking about the guys like Victor Cruz, Dwayne Wade, Chandler Parsons, and Amar’e Stoudemire, just to name a few. Leave it to them to make a statement in and out of their uniforms.
Victor Cruz is a favorite to the fashion world. Last NYFW he visited shows like Tommy Hilfiger and Public School NYC with his fellow teammates. His recent modeling stint with Givenchy has also landed him a huge spot on the fashion map because, well, he is a football star modeling in a high-end ad campaign, further proving that Cruz is an everybody kind of person. From the front row with guys like Joe Jonas and Darren Criss, to the streets with Diane von Furstenberg, the New York Giants wide receiver did NYFW: Men’s and he did it well.
Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade showed his serious side during NYFW: Men’s. He attended the Public School NYC presentation, a brand that a number of athletes favor. He was also seated front row during the Ovadia and Sons runway show with the likes of Cruz and R. Kelly. Of course, Wade’s ensemble wasn’t complete without beauty Gabrielle Union and her all-black attire to complement his monochromatic look. Teammate Amar’e Stoudemire joined in, visiting the John Elliott + Co minimalistic presentation. Outfitted in athletic-inspired streetwear, Stoudemire made a bold statement. The former Dallas Maverick took over the GQ Snapchat and took style notes, but he still insists, lightheartedly of course, that designers should be inspired by him.
Calvin Klein Collection’s men’s creative director, Italo Zucchelli, took the opportunity to bond with an all-star list of clientele. For the Calvin Klein Spring 2016 presentation, a few basketball players, a football player, and even a Formula One driver proved to be of good company. Lewis Hamilton, Nick Young, Andre Igoudala, andVictor Cruz are the guys that are running the fashion game; the pre- and post-game days of oversized suits and ill-knotted ties are gone. Their photo opp proves how much the “jock” style has evolved. Zucchelli definitely earned bragging rights for a while.
Chandler Parsons celebrated the release of his shoe collaboration with the brand Del Toro during NYFW: Men’s. The Dallas Maverick’s forward’s second footwear collection: CP 2.0 features off-court styles for the person who likes to stay on trend. Chukkas and loafers are a big part of this collabo, as Parsons knows the importance of foot care and comfort. If you want to be recognizable for in fashion, starting in shoes is a good way to go.
The relationship built between designers and athletes is unique. Different from a pop star, a reality t.v. star, or an actor, athlete involvement in the fashion world is more intimate. We are used to seeing celebrities in entertainment constantly embedded in fashion, but it’s the athletes that often make the most impact. Labels want to be associated with the athlete and athletes want to be associated with the label. Whether it’s for just a bit of “street cred” as the kids call it, or to genuinely establish a relationship, when both worlds collide the possibilities have no end.
