Russell Westbrook, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James stunt in suits.
Photo: Courtesy of @russwest44's Instagram/@sniperjones35's Instagram/Getty Images
In the dedicated sports world, the biggest basketball buzz of the moment is without a doubt the NCAA's escalating March Madness tourney, as the Louisville Cardinals, Wichita State Shockers, Michigan Wolverines, and Syracuse Oranges all head into Final Four games this Saturday. On the fashion side of things, however, it's the men of the NBA who are making the most waves. According to PSFK, retail giant Macy's is updating the store's classic suit and is looking to the pre- and post-game togs of professional basketball players for inspiration.
"According to Durand Guion, vice president and fashion director for men's wear at Macy's," PSFK reports, "the current pro basketball players are just some of those who have helped influence the style of the 'modern man' by breaking traditional fashion rules and mixing them up to create a look that's fresh and different," and to us, it makes complete sense. We started following the NBA's rise to style ubiquity long before the 2012 Finals faux glasses trend, throwing kudos to players taking advantage of the 2011 lockout to hit up New York Fashion Week. Russell Westbrook is racking up features in magazine after magazine while Kobe Bryant is ringing in 2013 as Hublot's new brand ambassador, collaborating on his own luxurious King Power Black Mamba watch. And, most importantly, Anna Wintour sits front row at Knicks games.
Not that they need it, but this latest news from Macy's is a kind of validation of this generation of NBA players as bonafide fashion influencers. They've already been tapped to collaborate on designs (Kevin Durant has backpacks with Nike while Dwyane Wade, who has an entire style SECTION on his website, BTW, linked up with Del Toro for a range of shoes). Some have even opened their own stores (LeBron James is a co-founder of Miami boutique UNKNWN, and helps curate its stock of streetwear, sneakers, and accessories). But now their fashion choices, by no direct association of their own, are being distilled and translated into new classics. *wipes away single tear* That's huge.
{via PSFK}
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