shegotgame: Soccer Jerseys Are My Graphic Tees
Ah, January - the coldest month (at least here in Canada) - is also the time of year when we're supposed to put into action all of our hopes, dreams and resolutions of the new year. Mother Nature, you can be quite the little bitch. It's only fitting that I received these images from last summer from my friend and former theScore (RIP) co-worker, Michael Andrew Reid, during the coldest week of the year. But in keeping with goals and personal resolutions (I will blog more, I will do my hair at least once a week...the usual), I figured why not lift frosty spirits and focus on a warmer, slightly less layered time and outfit.
As a sporty girl who works in fashion (or a fashiony girl who works in sports, depending whom you choose to ask), I love integrating not just athletic wear but actual jerseys into my regular wardrobe. I'm also a bonafide jersey collector - I tried to quit a few times, but why fight what you're good at - right? Soccer jerseys have long been the mainstay of men for mixing in a sporting shirt into a casual outfit as they fit much like a regular shirt, albeit in a performance material. They're much more tailored than say an authentic hockey sweater, and much less long than an NBA jersey. But why let the boys have all the fun? The World Cup led to a lot of fun jerseys mixed with some boring, basic ones but all in all - there was plethora in the streets of Toronto (I live by Little Portugal aka the all green and red everything neighbourhood) and New York City. One of my favorites was this Team USA soccer jersey as it had a few of my sought after elements when it comes to the overall aesthetics of athletic pieces - bold colours, clean lines, effective logo placement, and flattering fit and colours. As a Canadian girl of French heritage, the tricolour (ha!) and unabashed lover of New York, Americana, and captain Clint Dempsey, the US jersey was the right choice for me.
I hunted far and wide (okay, Nike and Moddell's in downtown and midtown NYC) for my own Nike Football USNMT Road World Cup jersey. I thought about going men's, women's or kids - but the women's sold out, the men's silhouette was too long and boxy so the kid's jersey fit just right - as did the reduced price point. I've had my eye on the perfect, unstructured white blazer season after season and I finally found the perfect one in this boxy, rouched sleeve blazer by Helmut Lang at Toronto's own Jonathan + Olivia. I went in a purchased it before we started the shoot for about $200, instead of the retail $670-$750 because there was a pale peach foundation spot on the garment. After I consulted with my dry cleaner (I had gone to check it out the day before and consulted it with my guy Wayne, who I see more than father) I purchased the jacket knowing he could get it white and right. I paired the jersey with my favourite distressed Lee jean shorts by Fruition LV, which at this point were beginning to fray a bit too aggressively on my rear, so I put on my Nike Pro Combat 3 inch shorts underneath for coverage and comfort. After all, denim on pale skin in hot weather, isn't so comfortable, so the shorts wicked any sweat and kept my keeps from making appearance on Ossington Avenue. Keep your cheeks on the beach, ladies. I added a pair of black thigh high stockings and my black leather Browns Shoes stiletto over the knee boots that I bought back in 2011, that so happen to be trending now AGAIN to edge the outfit up a bit. Pro tip: if you have athletic thighs and calves like me, try a stretch leather boot instead of one with a zipper! I wore my usual gold and rose gold jewelry - my Nike Fuel Band, Maison Martin Margiela ring (they came in a set of 4, I've lost 3 - help!), various rings a Balenciaga "inspired" cuff from Quebec department store Simons and my wolf ring from the Campbell River Museum - my birthplace. The bags are by Mishka NYC (thank you!) and Zara. My hair was cut and blown out in a Bardot-esque (my Frenchie-ness, yet again rears it's head) by Palm Sunday finished off my white acrylic nails that I miss everyday. The flushed face is courtesy for the worst summer stomach flu of my life - Jesus be a make up artist!
I feel like the Lang jacket really brought it all together to take it from cut offs and a tee to a more sophisticated place. This is roughly what I wear on a daily basis in the summer, give or take stiletto boots for a more sneaker. Next time you reach for a graphic tee and heels, why not a try a jersey instead to add a little sporty spice to your life, or some stiletto boots if you're feeling more posh than sporty. Let me know what you think of the look and you can shop the pieces and similar styles below.
shegotgame: Megan Ann Wilson for Toronto Raptors x Mitchell and Ness "North Side" Collection
As a Canadian NBA stylist, one of the top three questions I get asked by family, friends, colleagues and strangers is, "Do you work with any Raptors or other Toronto teams?". My answer up until a few weeks ago was no. I have Canadian clients who play in the United States, I've written for Canadian publications and wrote about the Raptors - but I've never actually partnered with them on any projects.
All that changed on Hallowe'en when I was cast to be apart of the latest campaign for the new clothing collaboration between the Raptors and Mitchell and Ness. I was asked by the Raptors' social media department if I was interested in being part of an upcoming photoshoot. They were looking for influencers that best represented the mix of sports and fashion, given that it's an apparel collaboration and I was top on their list. Being a Toronto girl, the Raptors are the main reason why I became a basketball fan, I was honoured. Originally I was under the impression that is was going to be more a social media outreach campaign with other selected influencers, but it turns out it was a little different from that.
My first look that was left on the cutting room floor. Shirt by Mitchell & Ness x Toronto Raptors "North Side" collection, sweater by Simons, tech pack sweatpants, rose gold Fuel Band and black Huarache sneakers by Nike, vintage gold necklace, rings by Maison Martin Margiela.
I was cast as one of the models (that still feels weird to type) for the newest collaboration between the Toronto Raptors and one of my favorite sportswear brands, Mitchell and Ness. The North Side collection is exclusive to the Raptors' Store at Real Sports at the Air Canada Centre so the creative departments from MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment) and Real Sports wanted to do something different to celebrate the special collection. For the campaign, I modelled alongside Raptors' in-game host Kat Stefankiewicz, NBATV's Akil Augustine and MLSE producer Mark Vanella. The four of us were given two t-shirts each and styled ourselves with an "urban" look using our own personal wardrobes. We were told to bring jeans, hoodies and plain sneakers - so I had to branch out a bit since my style isn't the usual denim and a t-shirt look. We had a make up-artist/hair person who kept us as natural as possible and I think that was possibly the least amount of make up I've worn for a shoot or when I've been on television. However, it was nice to feel like myself because quite frankly, I spend maybe 5 minutes on my make up on a daily basis.
The creative crew going over selects from the shoot - note the rain gear.
We shot on a cold Hallowe'en morning outside of the Air Canada Centre in the rain and wind. Naturally, being that there was no one on the shoot and my slightly obsessive attention to details, I took over some of the styling duties like helping Kat pick her looks and pinning Akil into shirts. Being in front of the camera and a face of a marketing and advertising campaign is certainly new territory for me! BLUE STEEL.
My second look for the campaign and the final edited image used for the campaign. I'm wearing a "Property of the Six" t-shirt from the Mitchell and Ness x Toronto Raptors collection and a Toronto Raptors Mitchell and Ness snapback available at the Real Sports along with camouflage tailored sweatpants by Zara, black leather jacket by Religion, red pony hair booties by Opening Ceremony, rings by Maison Martin Margiela and Simsons and my "Leo" nameplate necklace.
It was a great time on set on location at the ACC and I was never so thankful for a Second Cup close by for some necessary caffeine. It was great to work with fellow creative professionals from Toronto and collaborate on a project that so many people from the city would see. It turns out the photos will be used pretty much everywhere! Our group photo is currently being used on the main page of RealSports.ca, as part of a print/banner advertisement in front of the store and will be featured as part of the social media, digital and print marketing campaign - crazy!
We are all such serious models. From left to right - Akil, Mark, myself and Kat.
I feel very blessed that I was handpicked to be apart of the shoot and represent my hometown to its fullest. I've been lucky to find some success in the US Market but it means a lot that Toronto is showing love for my work and my passion too. If you're in Toronto or follow the Raptors or Mitchell and Ness online - make sure you keep an eye out for images from the photoshoot and please tag me in them as @shegotgame. You can check out the final images from the photoshoot below and I'll be sure to share some of the advertisements as they come out in a later post. It's true what they say - do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life...just make sure you have enough and good shoes!
Blog: Redux
Blogs are the new black, so it seems. I've been on the internet, documenting moods, outfits, grievances, adventures and generally over sharing since high school. After awhile, it all seems a tad self indulgent - especially when you don't have the right structure in place (I have Wordpress fatigue).
Thanks to my new, much cleaner site I'm feeling fresh and new and have found it necessary to have a platform to share my personal and professional life in more than 140 characters or a filtered image. I feel very blessed and empowered that I was able to make my dream career a reality thanks to hard work and as I continue to evolve as a business woman, I want to share it with other. Also: shoes. So. Many. Shoes
Here on the MeganAnnWilson.com blog, you'll find client highlights and placement, behind the scenes looks at what I do everyday (hint: it involves a lot of coffee), media updates (both myself and clients), outfit tips and tricks, lookbooks, editorial shoots and more.
When it comes to navigating my blog, it's all about categories. You can find all sportsand client related information under the #shegotgame tag. Fashion and personal style posts live under #shegotstyle, while any press appearances are marked as #shegotpress and finally, mail and products are tagged as #shegotmail.
If you have any ideas of what you'd like to see or what you want to know, please feel free to drop me a Tweet, comment, or email.
xo,
Megan
