BOSS is now the official sponsor of four of the most successful European soccer teams including Real Madrid FC, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Internazionale Milano, and FC Bayern. The German brand will make custom pieces for the players on each team, featuring both formal and casual looks. The featured collection is from the BOSS’ Create Your Look initiative that allows men to create a tailored look by combining jackets and pants of the same fabric with different sizes and fits.
Each suit is cut from pure double-dyed wool with added flexibility in the natural stretch of the material. Additionally, each tailored look comes with a slim tie featuring the club logo of the player. BOSS’ persistence in the world of sports, including one as demanding as soccer, accentuates the brand’s willingness to create chic and comfortable pieces. Unwilling to compromise the look, the brand has patented its own pieces that are both elegantly tailored and performance-ready.
Guests at the Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Spring/Summer 2020 presentation were treated to an outdoor affair that reflected the lighthearted nature of the Japanese designer’s latest range. While other labels seemed to lean heavily into pastels, Miyake opted for a more bold approach (though there were still plenty of softer hues too) with bursts of color highlighting the structural details (the signature pleats were more subtle this time around but still accented more utilitarian items) and structure of the pieces. The al-fresco theme was emphasized literally with models dancing and playing with red soccer balls as they took the runway, which I’m sure to them was a walk in the park.
When Collin Martin, a midfielder for Minnesota United FC, came out earlier this year on Twitter, he made waves as the only openly gay soccer player currently playing in the league. Off the field, the 24-year-old spoke to Ward Simmons, head of marketing and public relations for Baccarat, in the Baccarat Hotel NYC about the overwhelming response to his coming out, representation in soccer and other sports, and being an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a non-profit committed to fighting homophobia and transphobia in sports. Read the interview below.
All clothing throughout by John Varvatos. Photographed by David Urbanke, styled by Terry Lu for the Winter 2018 issue of ESSENTIAL HOMME.
What has it been like coming out? What was the initial reaction from your teammates? Coming out publicly this year at my team’s Pride game on June 29th is something I’ll never forget. Since that day I have received support from all over the world and messages from people that have resonated with my story. I had been out to my teammates for over a year before my big announcement so obviously they had already known I was gay. They have definitely noticed a bit of an increase in attention coming my way now and so they poke fun at me for that.
After coming out, you have received a lot of positive feedback from the community via social media and news coverage. What has that been like? The feedback that I have received has been amazing. The tweet and Instagram I made in June went viral and for the most part, the messages I have received have all been extremely supportive. Some of the personal messages I’ve received have explained how my coming out has spurred individuals into coming out to their own family and friends. I didn’t realize I would inspire so many people for just being open and trying to be a representative for the LGBTQ community in the sport.
You coming out as a current male professional athlete has sparked a national debate why you’re the only one. Why is that? I really don’t know why. It still shocks me to this day to hear that I’m the only current out gay male in the five professional major league sports. I’m certain there are more gay athletes like me but maybe they feel their sexuality doesn’t need to be made public. I remember taking notice when I was in my first couple of seasons in Major League Soccer when Robbie Rogers came out while he was playing for the LA Galaxy. I thought that his brave actions would be sufficient and that his representation for the LGBTQ community was enough but that just isn’t the case. The LGBTQ youth in sport are still questioning their place in sport and representation at the professional level is critical for kids to look up to.
Despite the LGBTQ community making tremendous strides these past several years, they still feel unsafe in certain areas such as the locker room. Your current project with non-profit organization Athlete Ally is focused on creating more inclusive and comfortable spaces for the LGBTQ community. Tell us about it and how we can help. The locker room is definitely a place where LGBTQ individuals may still feel uncomfortable or may hear unaccepting language. For myself, I have found that me being open with my teammates has been the best thing for me in terms of bridging that gap of misunderstanding. Many of my teammates have never had a gay friend and there may be some questions, or they most often are curious about what it’s like being gay. Being able to have those conversations with my teammates has been very rewarding. If I hadn’t been open with them they wouldn’t have the chance to engage with me as a gay man. Giving them that chance to receive me and accept me is something I am very proud of.
Athlete Ally has given me an amazing platform to not only share my story with other athletes but to have meaningful conversations on what it’s like being gay in sports. A lot of what athlete ally is doing is trying to explain to athletes, teams, organizations, and anyone in the sport that individuals they interact with may not be just like them. So being cognizant of language and pronouns and just understanding that our heteronormative society may not always be inclusive to gay athletes. A couple months ago I was able to talk with the student-athletes at USC and UCLA in Los Angeles and hear from them how their universities are trying to make sports more inclusive. Being a part of those conversations was very meaningful for me and I know a closeted college student like I was would have benefitted greatly.
Athlete activism is a hotly debated topic right now, from the NFL to athletes using their platform to speak out on issues. What’s your take on it? I think athletes not using their platforms would be a missed opportunity to effect positive change on the fans or individuals that follow them. An athlete’s reach has been amplified more than ever now that social media can be used as a tool to facilitate the start of these conversations. Each athlete is uniquely different and they are going to have issues that are very important to them. In the case of the NFL, a lot of these athletes are standing up for marginalized individuals whose voices have continued to be suppressed. It is very admirable that athletes like Colin Kaepernick are willing to risk their livelihood by speaking out on issues that still divide us today. I believe Kaepernick should have a job and it saddens me that that isn’t the case!
A specific example of athlete activism that has garnered national controversy is the NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem. Do you think that some athletes are in fear of creating negative attention to their teams and hold back? Do you think that this same fear correlates with athletes who are LGBTQ but are reluctant to come out? Well, you have seen some owners and teams implicitly condemn their players in participating in these peaceful protests. So, of course, there is a perceived negative attention that many of these teams are fearful of. I feel that the teams that are supporting their players and the causes that are dear to them are the organizations that are doing it the right way. There is definitely a fear for LGBTQ athletes that their sexuality would impact their position on the team. An outward support of the LGBTQ community from the ownership of a team down to the coaches would go along way for LGBTQ people in sport to know that they shouldn’t question their place in the sport.
Essential Homme, Baccarat, and John Varvatos support Collin and congratulate him on his success on and off the field. Join The Movement of Victory Through Unity at AthleteAlly.org and become one of the many ALLIES for Inclusion.
With his upcoming biopic Rocketman slated for 2019, and his farewell tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, Sir Elton John returns to the spotlight. This multifaceted artist has transformed every aspect of showbiz as we know it, influencing fashion, music, and even soccer. Aside from his accomplishments in vocal performance, Elton John has an awe inspiring resume — we highlight some lesser known facts about the icon.
He isn’t just about the music, he’s also a sports fanatic. The triple-threat Brit owned a soccer team, Watford Football Club from 1976-1987 and 1997-2002. He is currently an honorary life president and even had a stadium named after him in 2014. In 1975, John made his love for athletics abundantly clear when he performed Dodger Stadium in a sequined baseball uniform. We’d expect nothing less.
Along with being a spectacular showman, John is an excellent composer. He won Best Original Song during the 67th Academy Awards, along with Tim Rice, for “Can You Feel The Love Tonight” from The Lion King, as well as a Grammy during the 37th Grammy Awards for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Later, he composed the musical score for a number of hit Broadway shows including Billy Elliot: The Musical and Aida.
To call him a fashion icon is an understatement. Elton John is a fashion muse, instigator, and tastemaker. Blossoming during the 70’s glam era, he had no problem indulging in luxurious camp. Big rhinestone sunglasses, huge plumage, multi-colored bow-ties, he had the ability to reinvent suits with opulent theatrics. He has a close working relationship with Gucci, responsible for designing the outfits for his farewell tour, which commenced in September and is scheduled to continue until 2021.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, and so does musical entertainment. Since their controversial duet in 2001 during the 43rd Grammy Awards, during which Elton John sang the accompaniment to Eminem’s hit rap song “Stan”, the two mega-stars have remained close friends. Over the years the two have reportedly exchanged everything from life advice to extravagantly outrageous wedding presents.
This week in fashion collaborations: New York-based designer Willy Chavarria has partnered with Danish sportswear label Hummel for a limited edition capsule collection, inspired by soccer uniforms.
The collection mainly focuses on the global unity that transpires from soccer, something quite evident when you walk into a bar that’s showing the World Cup and everyone is jolly and either screaming praise or profanities, oftentimes both. Pieces are priced at a wide range to allow merchandise to be carried at both high-end department stores as well as traditional sporting good retailers — a hi-lo collection in true form. Additionally, the two brands will be offering sponsorship to New York soccer players and support to immigrants.
The Willy Chavarria x Hummel collection launches today and will be featured in Chavarria’s SS19 show tonight at 7pm EST.
Continuing its #LOVEITLIVEIT campaign, Pepsi has featured several upcoming contemporary artists in a fashion capsule inspired by soccer players.
Just in time for the World Cup, the global campaign is designed to merge the worlds of art, fashion, and sports this month with the collection, titled the “Art of Football.” Teaming up with fashion retailers Le Specs, Umbro, New Era, Boohoo and Anteater, the capsule’s designs are drawn from famous athletes’ personal stories and meant to “pay homage to the love of the game.” The Art of Football capsule includes a large selection of streetwear, athleisure, and accessories with designs ranging from geometric shapes to animal motifs.
Just in time for the World Cup, Russian designer and photographer Gosha Rubchinskiy has revealed his latest collaboration with Adidas.
In honor of the competition being held in St.Petersburg, the Rubchinskiy x Adidas Football World Cup Series Kit consists of a three-piece set for each competing country. The set includes: a color-blocked jersey for each country, boots in the colors of the Russian flag (red, white, and blue), and a soccer ball. Additionally the collection also features matching shoes, socks, and sweatshirts. The designer teased a sneak peak to the collection through an Instagram photo-series that captures a group of young-adults playing soccer while wearing the exclusive collection.
The Rubchinskiy x Adidas Football World Cup Series Kit will be available on June 14th, the kick-off day for the World Cup, in all Dover Street Market locations and online.
Ah, to look like David Beckham! The superstar soccer player, heartbreaker, husband of Victoria Beckham, underwear enthusiast, and icon of menswear announced his partnership with L’Oréal Luxe back in January and now his grooming brand, House 99, is finally available.
House 99 is only in its grassroots stage of creating an aware proper men’s grooming community. Each of the 13 freshly-fragranced products were each created with Beckham’s direct involvement, taking in consideration his lifestyle and likes. These products are meant for an active man willing to experiment with his look, and embrace fashion on every level.
Collaborations with celebrities are nothing new, but Beckham’s partnership with L’Oréal Luxe differs on account of his active participation in making of the product. Even the name, House 99, refers to the year 1999— the year Beckham married Victoria, became father to Brooklyn, and won the treble with Manchester United. He even has 99 tattooed on his arm. With the focus on “house,” Beckham is emphasizing that this collaboration is not a one-time stunt and the brand will only grow further.
House 99 includes shaving cream, pomade, moisturizer, body wash and much more, getting you even closer to the sartorial god that is David Beckham. It’s available online now.
Newly signed adidas athlete Paul Pogba and renowned German photographer Jurgen Teller have teamed up to release a series of photographs, some of which are to be featured in an upcoming zine made in collaboration with the global athletic brand.
Image: Juergen Teller, courtesy of adidas.
Image: Juergen Teller, courtesy of adidas.
The photographer traveled with the French-born soccer player for an intimate portrayal that follow’s Teller’s signature, up-close-and-personal style; he’s shot the likes of Björk, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and most recently produced a photobook with Kanye and Kim Kardashian West. Adidas is Pogba’s first sponsorship, which includes, in addition to the photos, his first boot, the laceless ACE 16+ PURECONTROL. The upcoming zine and full set of images will debut at a showcase in Paris, just in time for the UEFA EURO 2016.
The worlds of fashion and sports usually intersect in the forms of sponsorships or athletic launches; however, luxury watch label Hublot takes this relationship a couple steps further, widening to include European football as an integral part of its DNA. Since its entry into the game in 2008 as the “Official Timekeeper’ for UEFA EURO, the watch brand has shown an intense commitment to soccer, frequently bringing on players as ambassadors, specifically Brazilian all-star Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known famously as Pelé. Emblematic of Hublot’s hands-on interaction with the athletic world, the brand is partnering now with Julien’s Auctions—a Los Angeles-based auction house that specializes in celebrity memorabilia—to present Pelé – The Collection. The release includes an exhibition and auction of nearly 2,000 items from the famed player’s personal collection, including his Jules Rimet Trophy and NY Cosmos NASL Championship ring.
Last week we debuted our exclusive male model tribute to the FIFA World Cup, featuring 19 of this season’s most up-and-coming runway faces showing off their National football pride. What we didn’t tell you then, though, is that Essential Homme photographer Paolo Simi managed to sneak in some overtime animated fun, snapping these #tumblr ready gifs behind the scenes and bringing all your favorite models to life. Enjoy, and as they say on the field: Olé, Olé, Olé.
Images photographed by Paolo Simi; Styled by Stefano Spinetta; Make up and hair by Sara Del ReMartin, Jorge Paradas, Claudia Tito, and Jonahid Miah; Editing by Piotr Trojanowski; Photo AssistantsGiulietta Raimondi and Nicola Lazzari; GIFs by Giulia Bertuletti.
If the FIFA World Cup is just an excuse for you to purchase over the top glassware—get ready because there are about two more months full of awful puns like that left—then we’ve got news for you and your shopping lists: there are more things to buy. No, we’re not suggesting jerseys—be they for the Al-Nashama from Jordan or Jeremy Scott AW13 (although the latter isn’t too far off)—but rather, MCM‘s latest München Cute Monsters release: a collection of backpacks, pouches, and wallets covered in overtly cute monster graphics. Fusing Brazilian trademarks such as carnival, samba street performances, beaches, and live music, the artwork on each piece reflects the jovial nature of the soccer-centric nation.
The full MCM collection retails from $475-$950 for large leather goods and $175-$385 for small leather goods and will be available for purchase in June.
