Following a tough season in Oklahoma City, the four-time NBA All Star, 2015 NBA All Star Game MVP, and 2015 regular season scoring champion Russell Westbrook will spend his first spring in 5 seasons off of the court. In a season derailed by significant injuries to key players – the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder finished the season with a 45-37 record, barely missing the playoffs behind the New Orleans Pelicans.
[Related: Russell Westbrook Launches New Initiative to Promote Childhood Literacy]
Westbrook, who posted career leading numbers this year in points, assists, rebounds, and steals per game – is hoping that his second season collaborating with luxury department store chain Barneys New York will draw the kind of attention that he does on the court.
Announced in a report from the Associated Press, this year collection follows a similarly themed collection that was revealed last year. Titled Westbrook XO Barneys New York – available items include denim, sportswear, leather goods, eyewear, footwear and luggage. It also has limited edition pieces created in partnership with Nike Jordan, Marcelo Burlon County of Milan, Naked and Famous, WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie, Selima Optique, Del Toro and Globe-Trotter.
In an interview with GQ last year, Westbrook detailed how he found himself so comfortable designing clothes – “I think going from fashion week, to meeting Anna Wintour and André Leon Talley, to going to Paris and getting the whole experience, I was able to pick people’s brains and see how they started. That made my transition easier, getting into a fashion mindset. Obviously I play basketball, but I also have a fashion mind—not just wearing the clothes, but knowing about the textures, materials, and colors. Even the difference between fall, spring and summer, the whole nine. And everyone just kept telling me: “Be yourself.” Be as natural as possible. That’s one of the best things I heard, and kind of something I always believed in, anyway.”
New gear, Check the Brodie out @BarneysNY !!!!!! #fashionking #donthateonthebrodie #whynot pic.twitter.com/sAIEeYnJZ2
— Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) May 14, 2015
In addition to his Barneys collection, Westbrook also has fashion partnerships with True Religion, LVMH/Zenith Watches, Kings and Jaxs and Jordan Brand, and he has his own Westbrook Frames.
Head here to view the collection, on sale now.