It’s commonplace during Fashion Week to see Amazonian bodies walking around the tents. But this season, they’re growing by leaps and bounds.
That’s because enough NBA stars to field a team have invaded the spring shows — from menswear labels such as Michael Bastian and Tommy Hilfiger to women’s designers including Zac Posen.
“You can’t throw a penny loafer at a Fashion Week event without hitting one of these guys,” says GQ senior editor Will Welch.
PHOTOS: NBA STARS HIT FASHION WEEK
Fashion publicist Deborah Hughes agrees.
“This season, ball players have been the ultimate front-row guests, and we’ve seen them in droves,” says Hughes.
Her eponymous firm organized Thursday’s Duckie Brown show, which drew Celtics point guard — and GQ intern — Rajon Rondo, brothers Chris and J.R. Smith from the Knicks and Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh.
While basketball
players like Amar’e Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade have held court alongside the catwalk the past few seasons, more players than ever are joining them.
Last September’s lingering NBA lockout gave ballers free time to hit the shows, but this year they need to report to training camp on Oct. 1 — and they’re still building Fashion Week into their schedule. “This whole generation of NBA stars is fashion-obsessed,” says Welch.
And these guys have become just as aggressive in the fashion arena as they are on the hardwood.
“It’s competitive between them,” says Welch. “It’s like the playoffs: Who won Fashion Week? The passion and curiosity they have for it is exciting.”
Designers are only too happy to return the bro hug.
“When athletes attend a show, they engage a base that normally might not have paid attention to the collection,” says Hughes.
“It’s like, you’re young, talented, handsome, with a little pocket change to burn and a little time off before training camp starts back up,” says Welch. “So why not book a flight to New York and get a front-row look?”