shegotgame: New Jordan Brand Boxes for 2015
As you may have heard, Jordan Brand is getting back to the basics with a high end twist for 2015. The Brand is releasing some of their most infamous retro silhouettes remastered in premium materials, like the good ole days. Since the new, more luxurious sneakers are going to be dropping soon, Jordan Brand couldn't have the shoes come out in just any old boxes so they're upgraded their boxes. In keeping with the black, gold and white theme Jordan Brand has been playing with for the last few years - and used in their new Flight23 stores. The redesigned boxes are black with gold embossed Jumpman and "23" insignia on the exterior. The interior features natural cardboard with white tissue paper that is marked with the number twenty-three. The brand new boxes arrive beginning in 2015 and will be used for both retro and new performance releases. No word yet if the GS release will get the black boxes as well. What do you think of the new Jordan boxes and creative direction? Is it fitting with the new premium image and price tag or is it just more hype? Let me know what you think.
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!
shegotgame: NHL and NFL Wear Poppies in Honour of Armed Forces
Yesterday, November 11th, was Remembrance Day in Canada as well as Veterans Day in the United States which honours all active and retired members of the armed forces. Here in Canada and in other commonwealth countries, we commemorate Remembrance Day by wearing poppies inspired by John McRae's poem In Flanders Fields to honour servicemen and women who died serving our country. The American legion also has used them, but they're not as popular as they are in Canada and the UK.
Many sports teams paid tribute this past week by wearing the poppy on their uniforms or their equipment. All Canadian NHL teams sported the poppy on the back of their helmets. Many American and Canada sports teams like the Toronto Raptors, the Nashville Predators, the Vancouver Canucks as well as NCAA football teams wore camouflage uniforms as well, most using prints that active officers are currently using in duty. But let's focus on the flowers for now and break down all the camo gear in another post.
It came as a bit as a surprise as the NFL joined in - at least while in England. The Cowboys and the Jaguars both wore poppies on the front of their jerseys and on the back of their helmets as well. It was a welcome surprise to see the NFL adapting and embracing the culture and traditions of the country that they're playing in. Very classy.
@shegotgame Sneak Peek: The New JORDAN HANGAR
Leave it to Jordan Brand to constantly be one upping itself when it comes to the branded experience. The latest Jordan basketball experience is Jordan Hangar, unveiling later today in Los Angeles. But I managed to get my hands on the exclusive photos from the new basketball space and from the renderings, it looks sleek and industrial - much like the architecture in LA as well as the XX9 sneaker. Jordan Brand has made the most out of their Terminal 23 space in New York hosting games, events and fashion presentations since it launched last year so it makes sense for them to open something similar out west. What do you think of the new space? And more importantly - who got next?
shegotshoes: Balenciaga Arenas Hightops in Green Felt + Grey Leather
It's without question that the Balenciaga Arena has been one of the most popular silhouettes in sneakers in the last few years. The hype was at its peak when Kanye West and Pusha T started wearing the sneakers in 2011, and hasn't died down much since 'Ye sported them. Since the original model debuted we've seen it in both low and high top silhouettes in suede, calfskin and lambskin. Over the last few seasons, Balenciaga began experimenting more with texture on the popular kicks, like using embossing techniques to mimic stingray hide.
This season, Balenciaga moves onto felt with the first pair being a darker shade of tennis ball green with grey leather accents like the stripe down the heel along with a grey sole and laces. It reminds me of a grown up version of the incredibly popular and hard to find Alife x Reebok Court Victory Pump "Ball Out" in neon green. Both shoes use a similar shade of green (albeit one more neon than another) with neutral base colors (grey vs. white), one color midsoles, while the Reebok's use an icy outsole and the Balenciaga sticks to the same grey as the midsole.
What do you think of the newest textile to join the Arenas family? 'Ye has not been sported in them yet but he has worn a similar pair in yellow leather, back in 2012.
The Balenciaga Arena hightops in felt and leather in green and grey retail for $585 USD. They're currently sold out everywhere but let us know if you'll be copping a pair or if you'd like our help securing your pair, submit a form here. Check out more images of the sneaker below in the gallery.
