#shegotexclusive - Jordan Brand "Flu Game" Pop Up Images
Nineteen years ago, Michael Jordan further etched himself into basketball lore in game five of the 1997 NBA Finals. His airness put the Bulls on his back scoring thirty eight points, despite being overcome with the flu. The Bulls beat the Jazz in Salt Lake City, putting MJ's team up 3-2. The shoes he was wearing, the Jordan XII in black and varsity red, became known as the "flu games".
Fast forward to today, as Jordan Brand opens their pop-up store in celebration of the historic game. The shop is selling both a retro release of the original "flu games" and the new "gym red" XIIs. Much like similar Jordan Brand pop-ups during All-Star in Toronto and Brooklyn, the shop will feature plenty of customization options for Jordan apparel and a special pin available only in SLC. As a sneaker nerd, basketball fan and XII lover, I'm a fan of the concept and wish I could check it out myself. Instead I'll bring you the next best thing.
Jordan Brand exclusive "Flu Game" pin - available only at the pop up shop
As a member of the Jordan Brand Flight Crew, I was granted early exclusive access to the images from the shop in Utah. See below for the official images and press release. Are you checking out the pop shop this weekend? Let me know!
JORDAN BRAND TO OPEN POP-UP STORE IN SALT LAKE CITY TO CELEBRATE MICHAEL JORDAN’S MEMORABLE PLAYOFF PERFORMANCE
Store To Feature Unique Consumer Experiences to Commemorate Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals
WHAT: On June 11, 1997 in Salt Lake City, Michael Jordan battled through and delivered an incredible 38-point performance in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. This Saturday at 2:30PM, Jordan Brand will celebrate the anniversary of MJ’s ability to overcome obstacles in pursuit of the ultimate goal with a pop-up store in Salt Lake City.
This unique consumer experience will feature customization, Jordan Brand product storytelling, a re-broadcast of the 1997 game, local artists, food and performances. Utah basketball and sneaker fans can check out exclusive products like the Air Jordan XII Retro ‘Black/Varsity Red’, the reissue of the shoe MJ wore 19 years ago, as well as a pre-release of the new Air Jordan XII ‘Gym Red’.
On June 11, Jordan Brand encourages fans everywhere to wear their Air Jordan XII Retro ‘Black/Varsity Red’ and share the obstacles they’ve had to conquer with #GreatnessOvercomes.
WHERE: 160 E 200 S Salt Lake City, UT 84111
#shegotfit: Additional images of Beyoncé's Ivy Park collection for espnW's We Tried It
In this week's edition of my espnW column "We Tried It", I test out the new athleisure and fitness line from Beyoncé. Since the article only has room for a few images, check out a few more below. Have you tried out any pieces from the collection yet? Check out my review and let me know what you think.
Full outfit details:
Shirt: Ivy Park V-Back Mesh Insert Vest tank
Sneakers: Nike Women Air Huarache "Bronzine"
Leggings: Nike Tight of the Moment
Socks: Stance
Hat: Jordan Brand x OVO white velcro back cap
Photos: Pierre Richardson
#shegotgame: #NBAStyle - Steph Curry in @undrcrwn's #RUNTMC Hat
It's difficult for many casual basketball fans to remember a Warriors team different to the one we know now - an NBA championship, a ridiculous regular season record of 73 wins and only 9 loses and the NBA MVP improving to levels that no one thought was even possible. But well before this current Warriors squad, there was the combination of TMC - Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullins. The trio was only together for two years and while they didn't win a championship - they did lead the league in scoring in 1989-1990. They played a run and gun, high octane form of offence that was a thrill to watch live or on TV, much like the current Warriors squad. Steph Curry, the reigning MVP who just recently set the three point record, paid tribute to the dominant trio that came together when he was only a year old. Curry sported the "RUN TMC" hat by UNDRCRWN for Game 1 of the Warriors quarterfinals game of the 2015-2016 playoffs. The hat, a play on the RUN DMC logo much like the trio's nickname, is in Warriors color and a nice way to pay tribute to the former kings of Oracle Arena. Get your own over at the UNDRCRWN site for $33 USD.
Steph Curry photo via @Warriors, hat photos via UNDRCRWN.
shegotgame @ #ALLSTARTO: Jordan Brand's 306 Yonge Flagship
It's official - Jordan Brand now has a home in Canada. Yesterday, the doors opened to 306 Yonge the first Jordan flagship outside of the United States. The store features an open concept with sections devoted to different collaborations - Public School and OVO - along with a heat wall of classic Jordan silhouettes. There's a hearty mix of performance, like the Jordan XXX, along with a Skill Performance section that lets you test our their new performance silhouette. There are Toronto branded tees that feature the AJ1 on a skate and the CN Tower and our many languages. The entire stockroom is incased with glass so not only can you pick up your pair from the wall, but you can see what's actually in stock. There are no back door deals in the shop!
Downstairs is the 306 Underground - Jordan's customization centre. There are multiple options for customization including sweats, tees, and dri-fit shirts, ranging from $42-$185 Canadian. You can choose embroidery or screen printing from various Canadian artists including Toronto photographer JayScale. You get to watch your items being created right in front of you and the entire experience is well curated. In the Underground space there's a barbershop, coffee and tea and of course, plenty of swag to check out. My favorite part of the entire experience is how well Jordan Brand has embraced Toronto - thanks to the hockey jersey pins, the Toronto signs, the inclusion of Toronto artists - the 6ix is finally on the footwear map in a real, authentic way. It makes me proud of a Toronto sneaker kid at my core.
Check out more images of the 306 Yonge and 306 Underground below. I'll bring you everything from the best of #ALLSTARTO so stay tuned for updates here on and on my social media - @shegotgame on Twitter and Instagram and shegotgame85 on snapchat.
Photos courtesy of Jordan Brand and Jennifer Toole.
High Fashion on the Field: Dolce and Gabbana Extend Deal with Azzuri
When it comes to professional sports, you often see high fashion brands on the backs of athletes off the field but never during game play. However, it should come as no surprise that soccer (or football, out of North America) is the first sport to really embrace fashion on the field. Many soccer players in Europe have modeled for brands,have enviable closets that resemble high-end boutiques and are often credited for bringing the slim, slick suits to the sporting world. Only in recent years have North American athletes began adopting the "Euro" style of dress and swagger.
Today, Dolce and Gabbana announced that they would be extending their deal with the Italian national soccer team through 2014. The Italian fashion house will begin designing kits for the men's senior team for the qualifications of the 2012 UEFA European Championships as well as the Under-21 squad. The collaboration originally started in 2006 after the men's national team (also known as Azzuri) won their fourth World Cup. Dolce and Gabbana's old deal had them dressing the Italian athletes in suits for pre and post game, but not on field. Azzuri's previous jersey outfitter was German sports brand Puma. 2014 is a significant year as it marks the next FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Italy will be trying to capture their fifth World Cup after falling short of defending their title in 2010.
The Italian national team isn't D&G's first foray into soccer sponsorship. They sponsor local Serie A squad AC Milan and they've also been clothing the Milano Beach Soccer Club since 2008. D&G also produced a book dedicated to the players of AC Milan appropriately titled Milan Fashion Soccer Players Portraits this past May and have used athletes for underwear advertising editorials.
What team or sport will we next see embracing high fashion on the field? Stella McCartney designs tennis gear for adidas and the Williams sister ae known for pushing the boundaries of costume attire with their on-court attire with Nike. Fashion often takes cues from sport using football pads as armour for models and varsity jackets are now synonymous with streetwear. Rafael Nadal has stripped down to model for Emporio Armani while Dwyane Wade is collaborating on watch collections - sports and fashion are no longer odd bed fellows but frequent collaborators.