Queen of Sports

Athlete Sighting: Carmelo Anthony And Wife At Vogue Fashion Event

Carmelo Anthony took a break from lock out negotiations last night and went out with his wife, LaLa Vasquez, to the 8th annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in Soho.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue magazine have an endowment set up which every year raises money that is awarded to rising fashion designers.  This year, Joseph Altuzarra took home the grand prize of $300,000. Runners-ups Shane Gabier and Chris Peters of Creatures of the Wind and Pamela Love who designs jewelry under her own name were awarded $100,000. In previous years, winners included some of today’s top designers from Alexander Wang, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler to Derek Lam and Thakoon.

CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg was in attendance along with several other well known designers like Rachel Roy and Calvin Klein.

Photo: Richie Buxo / Splash News

Indochino Celebrating Their Steve Nash Collection With A Contest

Steve Nash collaborated with made-to-measure suit maker Indochino, designing a line of suits, ties, and accessories. Nash is an investor in the company whose suits he’s been wearing for three years now.

To celebrate the Steve Nash Collection and their partnership with the basketball star, Indochino just launched a contest on Facebook. Fans who enter can be eligible to win two custom suits, tickets to a Suns game with travel and lodging included, $500 and a hand shake from Mr. Steve Nash himself. To enter, fans must “like” Indochino on Facebook.

Photos: Indochino

Athlete Sighting: Serena Williams

Tennis star Serena Williams was spotted at the Burberry Body Launch Party in Beverly Hills on Wednesday night. The tennis player looked lovely!

Photo: Splash News

Athlete Sighting: Amar’e Stoudemire

Always fashionable New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire was at a Foot Locker store in Manhattan promoting his shoe collection last night, in particular the Nike Air Max Sweep Thru.

While promoting his new sneaker, Stoudemire told ESPN he thinks if the lockout lasts long enough NBA players will start their own league. “If we don’t go to Europe, then let’s start our own league; that’s how I see it,” Stoudemire said.

Photo: WENN.com

For The Guys: Quiksilver Re-Stocks NFL Boardshorts

Quiksilver teamed up with the NFL this summer to launch a line of limited edition boardshorts.

Just in time for football season, they’ve re-stocked the collection of boardshorts featuring the surf brand’s Diamond Dobby DLX technology, which promises to create a rash-free surf experience.

The shorts are offered for fans of the San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, and New York Giants.

You can find them online here.

Check out the fun video from the campaign:

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direkt

Nike Sportswear Unveils New LeBron James Logo

In their Holiday 2011 LeBron James apparel collection, Nike Sportswear has unveiled a new logo for the NBA star: a very royal looking lion.

The “Lion 6″ logo first appeared on the “Destroyer” jacket James wore to his first game back against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Now, that jacket will be available to consumers, along with other shirts and jackets from the line this month.

The copy on Nike’s website for his “Always On” collection reads,

Beat after beat.
Game after game.
Lebron James’ heart stays strong.
The two-time NBA MVP has seen his fair share of battles.
He’s done his time on the hardwood.
In the gym.
And around the neighborhood.
With every victory the beast within grows stronger.
More determined.
Fearless.

Always On.

What do you think of the new logo?

Photos: Nike Sportswear

David Beckham Graces Cover Of WSJ Magazine

Soccer stud David Beckham showed off his more stylish side on the cover of the Wall Street Journal Magazine. Sporting a fancy ‘do and the thinker pose, David modeled a Ralph Lauren suit in the black and white cover photo.

The 36-year-old athlete said he got his first gray hair a few years ago and “a couple more since we’ve had the little girl.” David and his wife Victoria welcomed their fourth child, Harper Seven in July. The article opens picturing what the athlete will look at 70 years old and the future of an aging athlete. David admits to slowing down a bit noting, “I definitely feel different than I did 10 years ago.”

Since his days as an elite soccer player and dwindling, David has done what most smart athletes do, expand their brand off the field. He is still one involved in a lucrative deal with Adidas as a spokesman, he has a fragrance line with his wife, Victoria and he is working with H&M as a designer for an upcoming fashion line of “body wear.”

“I’m totally involved in everything that goes out there in stores,” David told WSJ Magazine writer Jason Gay about his endorsements. “I don’t just sign with a company and give my name to do whatever they want. Everything that goes out there is something I would wear.”

Check out the full article by Jason Gay here.

Photos: Wall Street Journal Magazine

Rachel Roy+Amar’e Stoudemire Now Available At Macy’s

We told you awhile back about the line New York Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire was helping design with Rachel Roy for Macy’s. The collaboration is now officially available on-line. Here are some of our favorites pieces from the limited edition collection:

We love this leather hooded vest that  features am embroidered leather “1″ on the top right. Available at RachelRoy.com for $229.

Amar’e designed a number of vintage-looking sports tees that will complete any rocker look. The Chicago Bulls shirt is shown above but there’s also a tee for Lakers, Heat, Celtics and Knicks fans. Available at RachelRoy.com and Macy’s.com for $49.

This letterman jacket really exemplifies Stoudemire’s style. The jacket features leather arms, with a “New York” patch on the back. Available on Macy’s.com or RachelRoy.com for $189.

The line also includes some long-sleeve tees, sweatshirts, leather shorts, and warm-up pants.

What do you think of the line?

Reebok Hit With $25 Million FTC Settlement Over Toning Shoes And Apparel

The nation’s consumer protection agency, the Federal Trade Commission, announced today Reebok has been charged with “making claims about EasyTone and RunTone shoes that the company couldn’t support.”

The brand has been ordered to pay $25 million in refunds to people who purchased Reebok toning shoes and apparel.

All previous claims about the “benefits” of toning shoes and apparel have been taken down in all facets of Reebok’s marketing, per the settlement.

Reebok claims they did their own testing on the benefits of the shoe, however data was never released to substantiate it. Medical experts have questioned the actual benefits of toning shoes in recent studies. The shoe’s shape may lead to injuries and problems with the Achilles heel.  The nonprofit group American Council on Exercise said that the shoes, “are not the magic solution consumers were hoping they would be, and simply do not offer any benefits that people cannot reap through walking, running, or exercising in traditional athletic shoes.”

Nike chose not to go the toning route. Instead, they developed creative advertising mocking it.

The toning craze, which brands like Skechers and Fila marketed on, has been largely supported by research which has been privately funded by the brands.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell reported toning was a $1.1 billion market last year, and hasn’t slowed down much since.

If you bought toning shoes or apparel from Reebok, check out your refund rights on the FTC website.

Also, let us know: if you’ve purchased any toning gear, do you think it works? Have you noticed a difference? If you haven’t bought toning gear, why did you decide not to?

NFL Targets Women With New Advertising Campaigns

The NFL’s 79 million female fans make up 44% of its fan base, according to NFL VP-Consumer Products Tracey Bleczinski. In an effort to tap into the female fan base, the NFL has launched yet another new advertising campaign and website. The “Rivalry Campaign” celebrates rivalries in the NFL family and highlights the league’s women apparel.

Another new campaign, the NFL Party Collection, centers around the idea of “homegating.” The NFL Party website features a blog focused on party planning tips and recipes that come from professional cake designer Tami Beitz. NFL licensed kitchen products from sandwich pressers and cake decorating items to cheese boards can be purchased through the online shop, as well.

The amount of NFL licensed products seems almost limitless for women now. From fur boots with an NFL team’s logo to bathing suits and maternity wear, the NFL has really invested in their women’s fan base.

Photos: NFLShop.com