Aaron Estes
Staff Writer
This year’s All Star weekend got kicked off in authentic New York fashion, no pun intended. New York is the mecca of basketball and the headquarters of fashion, so it is only right that it was the site for the inaugural NBA All-Star All-Style Fashion Show.
The event was produced by the NBA’s two time world champion and four time MVP, LeBron James. James and Kevin Hart hosted the star-studded event. The judging panel consisted of GQ style editor Will Welch, WNBA star Elena Delle Donne, designer John Elliott and TNT’s “Inside the NBA” analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.
The contestants of the show’s three round elimination style contest included: J.R. Smith, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Klay Thompson, Demarcus Cousins, Zach Lavine, and Jeff Teague. The contestants were to execute fashionable ensembles that followed two themes of the two rounds of competition: “Dressing for the Boardroom” and “Date Night”.
The two standouts of the night were Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith and Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons. Both stars rose to the occasion and showed exceptional fashion sense.
Smith set the tone in the first round by pulling off a debonair look. He wore a suit with an extended emerald overcoat and a fur scarf that earned him an outstanding score of 45 from the judges.
Parsons followed Smith’s look with a well-tailored Tom Ford suit that was accessorized with a briefcase and trench coat. Parsons finished the first round with a 42. Next, they presented their “Date Night” outfits for the semi-final round.
Smith and Parsons were accompanied by Zach Lavine and Klay Thompson respectively who also advanced past the first round. In this round, the contestants were paired with models to stroll down the runway with. Smith rocked a burgundy coat, a pair of light wash jeans with a racing stripe detail on the side, finished by a printed scarf.
Parsons wore slim denim jeans, a cream sweater, a chambray shirt, and a brown blazer. His outfit was topped by a hat similar to Pharell’s Nick Fouquet custom piece.
Fans were treated to performances by Wale and Flo Rida while the judges deliberated scores throughout the night.
Both Parsons and Smith advanced into the Final Round where the two modeled their ensembles again in front of the judges one last time. After one last deliberation, J.R. Smith was declared the winner of the inaugural NBA All Style Fashion Show and was awarded the coveted Diamond Bow Tie.
The fashion world has begun to take notice of the NBA and the dashing, runway ready styles of its players that model their looks during their stroll from the team bus to the arena. The event was another great way for fans to interact with their favorite players while getting a glimpse into their personality and style preferences through fashion.
Next year we will see if Smith will be dethroned as the NBA All-Star All-Style champion.
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