Supermodel Skate Style

While CH and I we were in New York last month, we checked out the Mercer Street denim shop 3×1. As we chatted with owner James May, I asked him about the four skateboard decks, complete with beautiful topless women with strategically placed puppies and hands, that were hanging on one of the walls. It was a limited edition collaboration with photographer Ben Watts (brother to Naomi for those of you who aren’t familiar with the Aussie shooter) May told us.

The models/actresses immortalized on the decks included Behati Prinsloo, Elsa Hosk, Jessica Hart and Lake Bell and proceeds from the sales of each woman’s deck went to her charity of choice.
Side note #1: We were so upset to hear Bell’s HBO show “How to Make It in America” was cancelled. It was good.
Side note #2: As per the website, model Chanel Iman also posed for a deck but hers was not one of the ones hanging in the shop.

Maybe that’s because she’s the only one wearing a shirt in her photo! Yes of course sex sells, blah, blah blah, and both CH and I appreciate great breasts and I’m sure most skateboarders are horny dudes but a pretty girl in jean cutoffs and nothing else on roller skates is well, a cliché. The puppy against the breasts is the worst of them all mostly because the puppy doesn’t even look like he’s/she’s enjoying the experience.

I’ve probably sacrificed many page views by not including an image of said breasts in this post (click away on the link for the boob shots) but instead, I’ve posted Kate Moss-adorned skateboard decks so maybe it will all even out in the end. The story behind the Kate decks comes courtesy of one of our favourite websites, Hypebeast. The site recently did a post on an art project titled “Skate Moss.” Jeff Gaudinet, the artist behind the project is encouraging the public to pick a famous image of Moss and apply it to a skate deck template he’s created on his site. I realize there’s a shot of an almost naked Moss (she is wearing a veil) on one of the decks below, but when it’s Kate, it’s art.

Lace It Up

The orange lace-brown boot combo at Todd Snyder fall 2012 is so simple yet so stylish. Sure, brown laces would have been great too with these boots, but orange ones take the look one style step further. I’m inspired! And since I often get bored with my shoe selection, I’ve decided to switch up my brown and black laces in a few pairs of kicks for brighter hues.  Photos to come.

We can also take notes from a few professionals. We recommend a dash of yellow or orange like Russell Westbrook, seen here being cheered on by Oklahoma City Thunder, no doubt for wearing eye-popping orange laces. And then there’s Jaromir Jagr of the Philadelphia Flyers, who won’t hit the ice without his yellow laces. Now, if only Jagr would bring back hockey’s greatest haircut.

 

Olympic Gold (a.k.a. A Stylist’s Touch)

As any editor responsible for a magazine fashion shoot will tell you, great stylists and experienced, or at least good models, make all the difference. Case in point: this sexy and stylish Canadian Olympic Collection shoot from the B-Insider, The Hudson’s Bay Company’s online magazine.

When we first saw the collection a few months ago, we reluctantly picked a few favourites even though nothing jumped out at us except for the pieces we knew we hated (the patched denim jacket was on the top of that list). But what a difference a little styling makes. The B-Insider’s fashion editor Kate Corbett went for subtle patriotism, pairing the pieces from the collection with a variety of simple but stylish items. The result: a reigned-in cool Canadiana that could easily be sported long after the Games.

My favourite look is the the knit jacket over a simple white tank or tee and a black leather skirt, and although I still probably wouldn’t rock the denim jacket, models Sylvia and Kris both pull it off with aplomb and it’s now officially off my hate list.

-MG

Sport Degree of Style Friday

Photos: Just Cavalli Resort 2013, Style.com and Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon.

Game Changer

How fast times change. Just two days ago we were venting about Novak Djokovic’s clothing sponsor Sergio Tacchini. Well then! Only hours after our post went up on Tuesday we discovered Djokovic had ended his relationship with Tacchini two years into his 10-year sponsorship deal with the sponsor stating that Djoko had outgrown the Italian brand. Translation: we can’t afford this guy.

His new clothing sponsor is none other than UNIQLO and Djokovic will be sporting the popular Japanese brand’s logo on the clay at Roland Garros. A subsidiary of Fast Retailing Company, UNIQLO also sponsors Japan’s top-ranked player Kei Nishikori, currently ranked 18th in the world.

I’ve been a huge fan of UNIQLO since MG introduced me to the brand a few years back and a trip NYC is never complete without a visit to the SoHo location.

It will be interesting to see how UNIQLO tackles its tennis line with the world’s top-rated player on board. With promises of collaboration on future product lines and co-developing UNIQLO functional wear, it is a huge opportunity for Novak to expand his personal brand across the globe. Our first peek is only days away.

In the meantime, here are a few of Kei Nishikori’s looks:

Koko Koko Euro

I am heading home today but as a final ode to Poland, I wanted to share a Euro 2012 video. As I mentioned earlier this week, it’s Euro madness here so it’s fitting to end the trip on this note. You might recognize the song as the recent famed ditty “Somebody That I Used to Know,” by Gotye. These lyrics, however, are all about the upcoming Euro.And even after asking my young cousins, I still have no idea where “Koko Koko Euro” came from.

The King of Clay

After an off year, Rafa looks to be back in control heading into Roland Garros this week. Nadal out-sneered World No. 1 Novak Djokovic to take back his Italian Open title and gain even more momentum heading into the French Open. After being dominated by Djokovic in 2011, Rafa has taken down Djoko in their last two matches. Nadal has to be the favourite to walk away from Paris with a record-breaking seventh French Open title (besting legend Bjorn Borg’s six titles).

Editor’s Note #1: GoS ‘s own MG met Borg when she was just a young girl at an airport in Europe. Not yet the sports fan she is today, she had no idea who he was but her parents sure did and they convinced her to go ask him for an autograph. “He won’t refuse a little girl,” they told her. All she remembers is a pretty brunette on his arm and him being nice enough to indulge her pretend sports interest. Sadly, the autograph is nowhere to be found these days.

Now, back to style. Normally, I am more in favour of Roger Federer’s Nike outfits than Rafa’s, but I have to say I am into this peach look above. It looks great against the clay court and reminds me of one of my favourite sports looks ever.

I can’t say the same for Djoko and his latest look from Sergio Tacchini. This company should be killing it right now with the exposure they’ve been getting from Djokovic’s rise, but it’s just the same every tournament (yawn). For a sneak peek at Rafa’s French Open outfit go here  and for Novak’s, here.

Editor’s Note #2: I want to give a shout out to GoS faves Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. They closed out the Lakers with highlight reel shots like this and continue to make us proud with their awesome post-game attire.

-CH