#shegotgame - Nike NYC x OFF-WHITE Football Mon Amour Workout
It’s officially World Cup time! Sport has a way of bringing people together - across cultures, languages and even continents. I’m grateful that I’m living in New York while the World Cup is on, as the city - like the tournament - is a big melting pot of people and all kinds of football fans. While it’s disappointing that both the American team, and my home country of Canada didn’t qualify, at least football fever is still spreading through the city.
One of the most anticipated components of the World Cup is the product - the jerseys, shoes, the official (and not so official) gear, and all kinds of collaborations. Suddenly, soccer shirts are replacing t-shirts, and all sorts of brands jump on the trend. Nike’s Nigeria kits are some of the most hyped of the year, but that’s not all they’re doing. Outside of the official on-field gear, Nike collaborated with superstar designer Virgil Abloh on a limited soocer-inspired Nike Lab collection called “Football Mon Amour”. Abloh grew up playing the beautiful game, and mixing in sport into his streetwear, heavily graphic branded offerings - the collection makes sense. It’s interesting to note that the collection is positioned under the Nike Lab brand - not Nike Training or Nike Football (soccer) - meaning that it’s not being pushed as a technical, performance line but more for lifestyle wear.
The apparel, specifically the jerseys, are the strongest offerings along with the hoodies and tees - signatures of any Abloh collaboration. The collection is mostly black and white with splashes of orange and blue, making it high impact for high contrast instagram photos. The checkerboard touches are reminiscent not only of actual soccer balls, but also remain a signature of Abloh's designs. The accompanying sneakers, the Flyknit Zoom Fly, is a take on the Mercurial cleat, “I wanted to communicate where a player strikes the ball. So, I put dots on the boot; if you’re going to strike the ball, your foot/eye coordination is basically the only variance of chance. That's what the collection started with, these running shoes that mimic the same as your actual boot on the pitch so that you started subconsciously training all the time. Then I just applied that aesthetic from the bottom up.” The shoe feels a little off-balance compared to the regular Zoom Fly that does not have the same Flyknit upper - but it's also not being pitched as a performance shoe - it's inspired by sport by routed in aesthetics, not running.
This past Monday, I had a chance to try out the new kit while going through a football conditioning inspired workout, by a pier on the Hudson River in New York City. It was an intimate setting led by two Nike trainers - Joe Holder and Ariel Fox - both from S10 Training here in New York.There were two tented locker rooms set up for men and women, and our personalized lockers were filled with goodies.
We were laced up with the Nike Mercurial Superfly 360 Elite cleat. It’s an incredibly snug fitting cleat, given that it has a 360 Flyknit upper. I would size up if you’re picking up a pair - I wore a men’s 5/women’s 6.5 (I’m usually a men’s 4 or 4.5) and they were tight but not uncomfortable. Any smaller and I would have lost circulation in my toes! Next up were a pair of knee high soccer socks, shorts (some wore the Off-White dual layer shorts - I had a pair of Nike training shorts) and a jersey.
The actual workout was based on the conditioning that football athletes have to go through to be successful on the pitch. There was a dynamic warm up with plenty of running and exercises to open hips and emphasize quick feet. We also did partner drills that athletes and simple equipment like bands and ladders were brought in to focus on specific muscle groups and to build intensity.
Press and influencer workouts can sometimes leave me wanting a bit more in terms of intensity and variety, but I found the workout to be well balanced, decently timed (50 minutes total). While I probably should be more mindful of how sweaty I get when cameras are around (oops) - I didn't feel guilty for missing my earlier workout that day. The beautiful weather and location certainly helped too. As someone that practices yoga regularly, I was really intrigued by how Joe and Ariel brought in breathing exercises and techniques in a training environment and how certain alignment was different than what I usually practice. While there was no actual soccer played, I did get a sense that we trained as though we could sub into a rec league someday.
After the workout, we were treated to delicious juices and plant-based patties from Ghetto Gastro and gifted a pair of the Flyknit Zoom Fly from the collaboration. A great snack and reward for our efforts. I'm really curious to see what else Abloh and Nike will be doing with on-going football-based collaborations and how it will evolve. Check out more photos below and let me know what you think about the collection, which is available now.
Photo credit: Jason/NotAfraidtoFail/NikeNYC. Special thanks to Malitza Aguila for the invite.
#shegotgame - @adidaswomen Night Maroon Moves
It's no secret that I love red - every single shade of it. It's my power color. I feel most like myself when I wear it, and recently when I had my hair re-done by my stylist/friend Chrissy at her salon in Bed-Stuy, I felt like a phoenix rising from the red and burgundy Pantone ashes.
Recently, adidas sent me over these amazing Ultra Boost 3.0's, right before the temperature took a dip and I was instantly in love. They matched my nails at the time (merlot in tone) and now, my hair. I love that the prime knit is so deeply saturated, in shades of burgundy, wine and maroon anchored in black. It's the perfect way to bring in red and purple tones in your wardrobe for fall. I styled them with the adidas snap track set they sent over as well. Wearing all black with a few grey tones in the Asics bra top lets the shoes sing and still feels very New York - all black with a punch of night maroon (one of the names for this shade).
The pants are listed as full length but they're definitely a bit cropped, more above the ankle. They also fit a bit snug across the hips so I'd suggest sizing up (I usually wear a small or medium in adidas and these are a medium). I like wearing mine sagging down, open with some spandex or tights (or both!) underneath so they're like a true first layer. They remind me of when I was in middle school and high school (we called them tear-aways in Canada) and how I used to layer them with everything. Now they're like a sporty way to add some athletic flair to different outfits.
The jacket hits below my natural waist and I love wearing it open so it kind of accents my waist and shows of the pants. It's a decent layering piece as well as it's lightweight. I've worn it over dresses or bodysuits to sporty touch. Shop the full outfit in the links below and through Polyvore and let me know how you'd style the Ultra Boost this fall.
- Photographer: Terrhon Vaughn - V.Lens
- Hair: Chrissy at Stag & Hen Salon in Bed-Stuy
- Jacket: adidas - Snap Track jacket #giftedbyadidas
- Top: ASICS sports bra - gifted by SIX:02
- Tights: Fishnet stockings from Duane Reade
- Pants: adidas Tricot snap pants - #giftedbyadidas
- Sneakers: adidas Ultra Boost 3.0 - “Red Night / Red Night / Core Black”
- Shot on location in downtown Manhattan, New York City
Hello, World!
#shegotgame - Is that (Red) Velvet? Styling the new Air Jordan XI Heiress Collection Sneakers
When you're a small shoe size and a moderate sneaker collector, it's not always to find rare or limited footwear. Often, the dopest pieces aren't even in available in "midget" sizes. I'm a size 4 or 4.5 grade school (GS) which is equivalent to a 5.5 or 6 women's shoe. It might not sound that small, but often the coolest colorways are limited to men's, which many of us in the baby feet community cannot fit into - we're relegated to "shrink and pink" models and often, poorer quality materials.
In late 2014, Jordan Brand announced that they would be doing extended sizing, making GS pairs available to a bigger market, extending the special grade school colorways up to size 11 (or men's 9.5). Then in spring 2016, the Heiress Collection was introduced which features select female specific Jordan models made up in premium materials and exclusive makeups, some that are even turning the heads of male customers who finally know what it feels like to want a shoe that just doesn't come in their size! This has meant that we're finally getting better quality sneakers in small sizes.
One of the shoes that's building that hype is the Air Jordan XI "Night Maroon" or "Red Velvet" colorway done up in, of course, velvet. I was lucky to have one of the first pairs seeded out. Unfortunately, it's been raining since I received the pair so my photographer Simone and I had to improvise with a little hotel room photoshoot to ensure that we kept the shoes safe and got some on-foot looks.
The sneaker is a much higher quality than I'm used to being offered in a grade school size. The velvet is soft to the touch and has sheen without being too shiny or cheap feeling. The rest of the upper is a soft suede-type material, the midsole is white and the outsole is an icy burgundy while the carbon fibre potion is a burgundy and black. The gold details really pop on the maroon color. The gold stitching is on the heel tab and tongue and there are shiny gold lace tips along with a metal Jumpman instead of a stitched one on the upper. All these luxe elements adds up to a higher price tag - $220 USD.
Personally, I really like the shoes. I tend to stick to the Jordan III, I and XII silhouettes as the Xis can be tough to style due to the cut of the shoe. Thankfully I already own a burgundy velvet jacket that just happens to match perfectly with the shoes...along with my maroon hair and lipstick. Can you tell what my favorite color is? Will you be picking up the shoes for yourself or someone else and are they worth the $220? Let me know.
- Shoe: Air Jordan 11 Retro GG “Heiress”
- Colorway: Night Maroon/Metallic Gold-Night Maroon
- Style #: 852625-650
- Release Date: December 17, 2016
- Sizes: 3.5-9.5 Grade School (GS) = Size 5-11 Women's
- Price: $220
- Photographer: Simone Hamilton.
- Jacket: Oak and Fort
- Dress: Alexander Wang
- Tights: Pretty Polly
- Rings: Maison Margiela and H&M
- Shoes courtesy of Jordan Brand PR.
- Shot on location at the Dazzler Hotel Brooklyn.
#shegotstyle - RiRi x Puma on me - #SIX02STYLE
One of the most common questions I get from friends, family and followers is how to dress up comfy clothes and athleisure for everyday wear - and where to shop it. There are so many options when it comes to leggings, sports bras, sweats and kicks it’s pretty easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why I was pretty excited to hear that SIX:02, Footlocker’s women’s only athleisure store, was finally opening a flagship in New York City.
The flagship store is within the new Footlocker 33 store on 33rd street just west of 6th Avenue across from Macy’s. Within the store, there are several mini-boutiques. You’ll find Puma, Jordan and Nike basketball, a New Balance wall with exclusive pieces oft only seen overseas, adidas, a kids section, Under Armour, seasonal sections (right now - Timberland), and of course, SIX:02. What’s different about SIX:02 compared to Lady Footlocker or similar women’s boutique is that its focus is more on fashion, limited and collaboration collections. For example, there are more high-end style brands in their bi-weekly "The Collection" section as well sneaker mainstays like Nike, adidas, Reebok and Puma. The store is also home to in-store activations that are targeted to the millennial woman with giveaways, braiding and nail bars, DJ’s and of course, great gear to shop.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t in New York for the grand opening event that featured a huge re-stock of previous sneakers. Soon after, the Fenty x Puma collection dropped complete with a visit from it’s designer, the iconic Rihanna. Thankfully on my last trip I was able to tour the store and pick up a few different pieces that could be worn at the gym, out with friends and even on date night!
The next few posts are focussing on how I styled pieces from SIX:02 and worked them into my rather limited travel wardrobe (living out of a suitcase for months on end can get rather dire - fashion wise). For the first look, I had to pick up something from the Rihanna Puma “Fenty” line. I’ve had my eyes on a few different pieces since the original collection photos were released, but the price point was steep for my budget. I tried on all sorts of stuff, but my favorite item is the sweatpant with lacing details. They’re surprisingly super comfy given that they’re fleece lined and warm, however making the lacer tighter or looser works like a ventilation system, along with a styling option. There’s a snug inner spandex waistband and a draw string do you can wear the sweats higher on your waist or sag them, given whatever your preference is. I’m wearing an extra small in the photos and usually more of a small in sweats, as I carry my weight in my lower body. The fit is a bit oversized but still flattering. I decided to style the straps hanging as it was a windy day in Bed-Stuy but I also love wrapping the straps around my legs for a sportier take on bondage straps.
I mixed it with a few of my fall staples, a Theory bodysuit and a Helmut Lang mini moto jacket from their sample sale over the summer. I did a shoe swap to show how the look can still be versatile, wearing the white and gum Nike Uptempo that I purchased from the kids section of Footlocker (a grail pair of mine, since I’m a 90’s kid) and my distressed red cow hair booties from Opening Ceremony. Let me know what you think of the look and how you’d like the RiRi collection.
Outfit photos by Simone Hamilton, store photos of SIX:02/Footlocker.
#shegotstyle: Bad Bitch Editorial - #TBT Styling
Back in February 2013, it seemed like songs about "bad bitches" were everywhere. In honor of the women that make men weak in the knees and kick ass on every level, our creative team decided to turn Teisha from NEXT, a young, gorgeous model into a true bad bitch.
For the styling inspiration, I looked to strong females from the 90's and fashion trends from that era, that were starting to become trendy again at this time. Aaliyah, Naomi Campbell, Lil Kim and Trina began as my inspiration points when I pulled wardrobe from Toronto stores, showrooms and my own personal vintage collection. Amber Fairie of The Manor Salon styled Teisha's locks into six different looks, from straight and sleek to a mohawk and cornrows. Bronwen Weiderick went from a more natural, approachable make-up look to a full on glamazon and Asia V. kept the drinks going. The shoot was so much fun to do, as we were a group of creative women combining our forces to make something beautiful yet empowering together. Take a look and let me know what you think of our spin on the "bad bitch" title. It's fun to see how much my styling has evolved over the years, but also what style signatures still pop up in my work today.
- Photographer: Jennifer Toole
- Model: Teisha Evanson @ NEXT
- Wardrobe Stylist: Megan Ann Wilson
- Make-Up Artist: Bronwen Weiderick
- Hair Stylist: Amber Fairlie of The Manor Salon
- Cocktail Stylist: Asia Vickovic
- Shot on location at Milk Glass Studios