Thursday, February 19, 2015

All in my Own Backyard (A Weekend in Review)

Honestly, how much of a backyard can I really have living in NYC? I'd just like to accept the city as my backyard. Beyond the perimeters of my house, I exit into the concrete jungle where a new species of predators approach.

Okay, maybe there are no predators, but there are a lot of strangers (aka celebrities) on my side of the neighborhood. This past weekend was filled with fashion and basketball and at times they both came together for All-Star Weekend & Fashion Week! Sadly, I could only enjoy this from behind TV & computer screens.

Saturday afternoon, I was right outside the Barclays Center taking pictures as people gave me dirty looks assuming that I was going to skip the line and I shot them a stare back. And today I stared longingly as photographers and women dressed fur waited outside a warehouse right by my school for a fashion show to start. It's as if all these events are teasing me.
Although I did not have a front row seat to these events, I'd like to share with you my favorite highlights from this past weekend:

Known as one of the most fashionable sport industries, Lebron James and the NBA put on a fashion show where eight basketball players competed strutting their stuff with IMG models such as Chanel Iman by their side. The players which included Jeff Teague, James Harden, Zach LaVine (who you will hear more about later) and JR Smith (so sad to see him leave the Knicks, please don't mention their losing streak, I will always be a loyal fan) showed off different outfits for each of the three rounds.  Kevin Hart and Shaquille O'Neal were also there hosting the show. 

I didn't even know this was a thing until I switched to TNT hoping I wouldn't miss All Star Weekend's Slam Dunk contest. I mean, basketball players strutting the runaway? That was the last thing I was expecting. I didn't tune in on time, but I loved every minute of what I did catch. 

It was even more special when a player near and dear to my heart, representing my home team, the NY Knicks won! I haven't fully accepted the Brooklyn Nets yet, sorry. Although, J.R. Smith is now a Cleveland Cavalier, I'll consider him a Knicks for now. REPRESENT.


This is what followed the All-Star All-Style fashion show this past Saturday. Although, it is a three day event, I usually always miss the celebrity basketball game (on Friday) and I don't care too much for the East v. West game (on Sunday) although I did watch it this year (the West won again sadly). But something I refuse to miss, for sure, is the Slam Dunk Contest and Three Point Contest, which for me is the most entertaining part of All-Star Weekend. If anything, that in itself encompasses what All-Star Weekend is really about, bringing together amazing players for some fun!  

Although I was very hopeful for my African friend, Victor Oladipo, Zach Lavine really grew on me. For one of his performances, in a nod to Michael Jordan's Space Jam movie he did this:

As easy as this looks, you need some serious skills to be able to do this. I mean, I can barely jump 3 inches off the group.

And Steph Curry ahhh, what can I say? I really like him and his family (his wife is Youtuber by the way). Steph Curry is amazing I mean there's a reason Drake mentioned him in his song "0 to 100." Don't believe me? Watch him in the 3-Point Contest:


  If you're not a basketball fan, you may be thinking what's the big deal? Why are the sportscasters yelling? The effect is definitely greater when you watch the whole competition from the beginning and see what each player has to offer and what makes these specific players so significant and talented. 

The half-time show was amazing too. Although I didn't expect anything from Ariana Grande for the half-time show it was good.
 
Other than spending my procrastination time staring at basketball players, I was also staring at photos from Fashion Week. There were so many shows and amazing looks (I see you Zac Posen) and amazing street style looks that I can share with you. But over all those shows I think Kanye West collaboration with Adidas and showcase of the Yeezy Season 1 collection is the one that I still remember the most. 

When his collection first made its debut, I didn't know how to feel about it. I was definitely confused being that the models looked barely clothed. I mean I know most runaway looks aren't made ready to wear, but this was a little off for me. Still it wasn't long before the collection grew on me, especially when I saw Kim sport items from the collection. 


Every piece of this outfit is from the Yeezy Season 1 Collection. Kanye has definitely transformed her look from her Paris Hilton wannabe days. I mean did you see her at the Grammy's? Who else can pull off a golden bathrobe like that.
Kanye has definitely brought something different to the table and it's not just in his music (which he's actually getting a best visionary award for soon from BET) but also in his style.



In the spirit of Black History Month & Fashion Week , I had to share this article I recently stumbled upon with you. The fashion industry seems to find a lot of inspiration within the African American culture ranging from music created by artists like Rihanna to even street style and urban culture. African American consumers also have a large buying power. So why is it that very few African Americans have the chance to showcase their designs down the runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week? This article tackles just that and it's a really interesting read about something that I would say most people don't really think about or even question, although it is nothing new. What do you think?

So like me, did you spend your weekend procrastinating and watch All-Star Weekend or did you follow Fashion Week? What was your favorite part? Share your thoughts with me in the comments below and let me how your week is going so far.

post signature

20 comments:

  1. You live in the most exciting city in the world Miss!

    Thanks for sharing these pictures!;)

    XO

    Jeanne

    http://fashionmusingsdiary.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Giiiiirl I would've sold my left finger to be at the Kanye show!! Sheesh! Anyway, fun post I was out of town and missed everything via television. Thanks for the recap


    Ash,
    www.AshleyTamarra.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. new york was definitely a buzz last weekend.
    i didn't even know that an NBA fashion show was a thing.
    sounds amazing.

    i may be in the minority but i didn't really like kanye's line.
    it all looked like pantyhose and nylon to me.
    but i applaud his passion!

    :)
    vanessa
    grace-and-gratitude.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love this recap, although I was not a fan of Kanye's line!

    Heidi
    www.wishesandreality.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm still not a fan of kanyes collection... I'll stay confused! Lol but lovely post!!
    www.officialfantasy.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this post hun, so good to see a few of the highlights
    Jess x
    New post up at // www.momentsofbeautywars.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  7. Woah, really interesting about the All-Star All -Style Fashion Show, something new to me! I also saw Kanye's show and agree with you, I still don't know quite how I feel about it!

    http://kelliemiyoko.blogspot.com



    x Kellie

    ReplyDelete
  8. I also nominated you for the Liebster Award on my blog!

    http://kelliemiyoko.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. some of kanye's looks are questionable but i do really love the jackets and kim looked great!


    xx danielle // shadesofdanielle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hated kanye West's show, I have to agree with another commenter that it looks like the models are wearing pantyhose

    http://sincerelymissj.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  11. LOL. I know right! Thanks for stopping by

    ReplyDelete
  12. I didn't either; it was just a coincidence that I happened to switch to the channel while it was on. And I feel like you were in the majority. A lot of people didn't like his show. And I agree, it definitely looked like he constructed everything out of pantyhose and nylon. For some strange reason the collection just grew on me. And you're right passion is everything. Thanks for stopping by :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you & I wasn't either, but strangely enough, it grew on me.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The fashion show was a first time thing. I'm wondering if it'll be an annual thing or if it was done because fashion week was going on too. And awwww thank you for the nomination!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lol I totally agree. Kim's outfit is probably why I semi-like Kanye's collection now.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Woow this is so interesting

    http://itsjustwinnie.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting my blog! After all, “a writer is, after all, only half her book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the writer learns.”

 
site design by designer blogs