There aren’t many athletes on par with Jordan Clarkson when it comes to fashion. Recently, he showed off his impeccable style while attending New York Fashion Week. He wore a Tommy Hilfiger enormous striped rugby jumper as he stood by the legendary designer’s side. He emerged from the hotel foyer wearing a Canadian tuxedo by Balenciaga from Demna and a big crucifix pendant by up-and-coming jeweler Alex Moss. He wore a sleeveless gray tweed suit jacket and skirt by Thom Browne to the Harper’s Bazaar Global Icons Portfolio and Bloomingdale’s 150th Anniversary party.
It shouldn’t be surprising to see a famous person like Clarkson wearing clothes by these designers. One of the Jazz star’s recent collaborations in the fashion industry, though, may come as a surprise. Clarkson is featured in Lululemon’s newest ad campaign.
Clarkson models a wide variety of the label’s wares in the “Your Move” ad campaign, from training-friendly neon yellow Pace Breaker shorts to more relaxed styles like tan trench coats. Clarkson sees potential for Lululemon’s next chapter, which may come as a surprise given his recent role with Ye’s Yeezy SHDZ campaign.
In all candor, they’re elevating the brand to new heights. Trends, workouts, or whatever it may be. Clarkson says Complex, “I think they are growing in all aspects of that. In particular, he loves the Parkway Insulated Coat he’s wearing in the photo shoot. To paraphrase, “that’s like my favorite piece ever,” he says.
Clarkson is the kind of celebrity endorsement that might really boost Lululemon’s status. His reputation as one of the NBA’s most stylish players continues to grow. Is he really the best, though? Even though he’ll probably also send flowers to players like Kyle Kuzma and Frank Jackson, he believes this to be the case.
Clarkson insists that “everyone got their own style.” To which she said, “But I think I’m the best dressed for sure.”
Clarkson, who will be playing in his tenth NBA season, will face his own challenges on the floor this year. Former Sixth Man of the Year Rudy Gobert has watched as Donovan Mitchell and the rest of the Utah Jazz have left the team. Clarkson’s nаme has also been included in trade speculations as of late, but he is committed to winning with whichever team he opens the season with.
“I’m ready for whatever happens,” Clarkson says. A player once said to me, “If I’m in a different jersey in a week or tomorrow I get a phone call and I have to put on whatever jersey it is, I’m just trying to win and take whatever team it is to the next level to hopefully win a championship one day.”
Read on to learn more about Clarkson’s thoughts on the offseason changes made by the Utah Jazz, his Lululemon relationship, NBA fashion, and more.
For the sake of readability, this interview has been reduced and modified.
Please tell us more about your relationship with Lululemon. Just what is it about them that makes them the ideal business associate for your current venture?
The bond between them developed naturally. I had faith in this brand-new, groundbreaking concept. They really are elevating the status of the brand. Trends, workouts, or whatever it may be. I believe they are improving in every relevant area.
We see you today in the campaigning, I know. You are featured prominently in store advertising, including large window displays. As part of this relationship, will you eventually release joint clothing? Do you see yourself participating in that?
Who knows? Perhaps, since I always put my own unique spin on things like clothing and style. That’s fine to be uncertain about for now. Assuming they let me be myself, that is.
The focus of the ad is on emotional well-being. The value of physical fitness for professional athletes is often emphasized, but what about the significance of mentаl health?
It’s been significant in helping me develop professionally and personally. I’ve always been the one to put in the effort at the gym, starting my day there and staying there until I’m done. However, I’ve come a long way as a person since I started meditating and taking the time to focus on my breathing and mentаl processes. Honestly, it’s changed me for the better and helped me have a positive оutlооk on life.
Obviously, with all the games and travel, the season can be quite demanding. How do you maintain your sanity throughout the hectic holiday season?
As for me, I usually just take my time leaving. Isolating myself in a hotel room is a common occurrence. I appreciate the peace and quiet of a space. I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and focus on my external environment. Right now, I’m just trying to soak up as much of this experience as possible. That’s already there. The buses have that. In fact, there are instances when I don’t even use my headphones at all. I’m trying to tune out the world by shutting my eyes and listening to it instead.
In addition, I’d like to sаy a few words on fashion. You’ve been out during New York Fashion Week, I’m sure of it. Is there a performance or event that you were a part of that really stands out to you?
The experience has been fantastic overall. The Givenchy collection was sick. Matthew [Williams] has an eye for style and always looks well-put-together. I thought Tommy’s show was fantastic. I susρect Jaylen Brown was involved in the events that took place in that direction. Although the show was rained out, it was still great to watch Travis [Barker] rock the drums. Even the rain was cool in its own way. The aesthetics seem to have been achieved. The combination of Travis’s drumming and the resulting water splashes made for a challenging workout.
There are other NBA players in the area besides yourself. Is it exciting to see the NBA’s style continue to develop? Many of you have become fully acclimated to the world of high fashion.
Simply said, it’s sick as Һell. For hoopers, and really anyone, it’s just another way to go after their dreams and take part in something they feel deeply about. It’s possible if you just put some thought into it. This is, then, just another path that has been paved for us to follow. This simply makes more opportunities available to the NBA’s rising young talent.
Your Thom Browne outfit—vest and skirt—was one of the most eye-catching things I saw on the internet. Where did you find the parts for that?
All of Thom Browne’s designs are fantastic in my opinion. The creative path he takes is excellent. Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] may have been a model at the Paris show. So, I went in and looked over the seasonal releases to see what I could anticipate. I don’t think [the ensemble I wore to New York Fashion Week] will be released until the summer. For me, it was a natural selection.
I have had a wonderful relationship with the Thom Browne team ever since my time in Cleveland. We had a meeting and I mentioned that I was going to cut my clothes, so I did. It was a suit, but I shortened the legs. The task is completed by Bron. Finally, we all resorted to converting our pants into shorts by cutting them. This is not a collection of inexpensive suits. There was a collective “Man, why is he doing that?” from everyone in the room.But that was merely my imaginative process speaking.
I’ll never forget being there in Cleveland. In the midst of the Finals?
Yeah. I’d Һit a wall of exhaustion. It finally dawned on me that we were in San Francisco. I can’t take the heat, guy. This is the outfit I have to wear to the game, right? I must hem these jeans, bro.’ [Laughs] Everyone wаnted to look like they were in sync. We all sent each other outfit photos and comments via a group text.
Your recent Thom Browne suit has been compared to Russelle Westbrook’s Met Gala dress. I’m curious if Russ has had any impact on your personal style.
Yes, in my opinion. Yet, individual tastes vary from designer to designer. This is a specialty of Thom Browne’s. We’re probably just adept at making the skirts seem nice.
Who crafted the enormous crucifix necklace you’ve been sporting?
That was made especially for you by Alex Moss. Many of Tyler, the Creator’s jewels are designed by him. I’m pretty sure he also made Drake a ring not too long ago. It’s neat how well they get along.
I also noticed that you were a part of the Yeezy SHDZ marketing push. How are you related to Ye?
Our friendship is fantastic. That’s very neat, in my opinion. Everyone around had an impact. I participated in that. We’re talking about Kanye. I thought that was hilarious.
I have a brief question about the tattoos you have. You started off without any, but now you seem to be completely protected. Why did you feel the want to explore that interest further and try out some tattoos?
This is something that has always interested me. All I had to do was locate the proper individuals. When I was younger, I didn’t want to have a bunch of strange tattoos that I’d have to cover up later. I feel that my thoughts ultimately worked out for the best. Eventually, I located a tattoo artist that met my needs. I made a minuscule beginning. There were two potential paths, and I couldn’t decide. There was patchwork at first. Then, I decided I wаnted to be very realistic. Everything related to my story will be collected here. That friendship also developed naturally and is now on par with my closest buddies. Steve Wiebe is his nаme. To me, he’s like a sibling. To me, he’s like a brother or a cousin. The gym is when we first crossed paths. I used to have a few tiny tattoos. After that, I was tattooed every day for a week. [Laughs.]
You’ve always been one of the league’s best-dressed players, but ever since you arrived in Utah, it seems like the conversation has really picked up steam. How would you characterize your own unique sense of style?
In my opinion, it flows nicely. What works best in terms of fit. Clothes are incredibly innovative in their own right, but in my opinion, the wearers are just as responsible for the final product as the designers. To give an example, if you see Kim Kardashian wearing a classic Marilyn Monroe piece, you wouldn’t sаy that “the Marilyn Monroe piece” was created by “blah, blah, blah.” Thus, I consider it all to be creative. Whatever I enjoy, whatever feels well, and whatever I think looks nice is what I wear. I don’t have to give it any thought. When I first open my eyes, the first thing I do is pick up random objects off the floor. My room looks like a wаr zone right now, with clothing strewn everywhere in preparation for fashion week. This is how I put on clothes.
Obviously, you’re focused on the games and the action on the court, but the photographs you posted from the tunnel are drawing a lot of attention, too. Do you pay any attention to that during the season?
Not at all, but it’s not like I’m looking at anything anyhow. This is how things are. The nicest part is that everything is infused with love. It’s all love if they’re paying attention. I don’t think I’ve given anything that might have an effect on my mind or body a lot of thought. That’s going to change the dynamic of the match. I feel terribly trapped. My coworkers and friends see me at work every day. Every day, I force myself out of bed and into the world, where I can concentrate on the tasks at hand.
Which offseason acquisition are you most excited about?
The Lululemon trench coat is currently my most prized possession. Although it appears bulky, it is surprisingly light. Holy smokes. In a nutshell, that’s the best thing ever. Seriously. In the video, I wore it. It has a purpose and is something I could use on a daily basis.
Do you think you have the best wardrobe of all the players in the league?
Yeah. The catch is that everyone got their own loot. All of us have our own unique look. Me???? like Frank Jackson pop up all the time. He seems to be riding his own wave. Even Kuz was able to catch a wave. However, I believe that I am the finest dressed. [Laughs.]
It’s amusing that you mentioned those jerks. Kuz and I were just talking, and he brought up you and Frank Jackson.
What a ridiculous idea. I’m a huge Frank Jackson fan. In my opinion, he is the truest to himself. I meаn, that is totally hоt.
Many clubs are reviving historic uniforms and strategies on the court this season. The Jazz are reviving an old look by donning purple mountain era uniforms. Are you pumped to use those in a game?
Sure, why not. Indeed, the shirt is legendary. Everything comes full circle. We’re seeing a revival of ’90s culture. Loose fitting clothing is the norm. In my opinion, it’s just the way things are. People will always remember when the Jazz wore their mountain clothes and made it to the playoffs to face Jordan. I believe the San Antonio Spurs acquired a strange relic. About two or three years ago, they brought back the fiesta jerseys. That you guys are bringing back all these classics is fire, buddy. You see folks wearing those jerseys on the field when you’re a kid. Now that you’ve made it to the big time, you can officially wear them. It’s completely different. It’s totally sick in my book.
As a Sixers fan, I’m still holding out hope that the team will bring back the Iverson throwback uniforms.
If those ever make a comeback, though, it will be the sickest thing ever. Pairing black and red together. Holy crаp. Those jerseys are incredible. And they can’t get them cut down to size. They ought to be massive, dude. As a result of the Lakers’ Showtime uniforms, Kobe sported a shorter short length. This means they can no longer avoid donning extremely loose-fitting shorts. Do the unthinkable.
In terms of the basketball season, there has been a lot of movement for the Jazz this summer. Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert are no longer with the squad. What are your thoughts on the upcoming season in light of all the changes?
Honestly, I don’t know. I’m prepared for anything at this point. It’s been nine years since I first joined the league. I feel like a youthful veteran in this field. Therefore, I am prepared to go in whatever route the team’s management, owners, and I decide to take things. I’m just wanting to win and take whatsoever team I’m on to the next level so that we can eventually win a championship, so it doesn’t matter whether I’m wearing a new jersey next week or if I receive a phone call tomorrow and have to put on whatever jersey it is. That is how I see it. I’m in Utah for one reason: to take first place. I’d like to make an effort to get to the postseason and field a competitive squad. It’s rough coming down from [that] high, man. For what seems like three years in a row, we’ve been victorious. A couple of years ago, we dominated the league. It wasn’t our best year, but we still managed to place fourth in the West. We threw away yet another opportunity to claim a championship. It’s tough, but the morning always brings brighter skies and the necessity to find a solution.
In the NBA, trades and roster changes are commonplace. You, Julius Randle, Brandon Ingram, and D’Lo are part of a young core that has made a lasting impression on Lakers fans. All of you have now moved on to other franchises and made names for yourselves there. Have you ever wondered what would have happened if the two of you had stayed together and been given more time to mature as a couple?
Having us all there was always doomed to failure, in my opinion. I guess we were all stars in our own right [Laughs]. We all needed a change of scenery, so we split up and went our separate ways. I’m aware of the tweets and other online chatter. When you think about it now, it’s hilarious. The Lakers, in my opinion, did a fantastic job of evaluating us, finding our skill, and providing us with an opportunity by selecting us in the draft. But I don’t see how it could have worked out with us all on the same side. We wouldn’t have returned with a championship or anything, if you get my meaning. Whatever it was, they got LeBron for us. It’s all in a day’s work. Each of us shone brightly in our own parts. To develop in different ways, we needed to leave our familiar surroundings.
I watched you play for the Philippines national team. Please elaborate on what this means to you and the significance of basketball in that country.
It’s an honor to simply represent the nation. Love is always present for me. The encouragement is constantly present. Every opportunity I get to represent and perform for that country is a highlight of my life. If we are lucky in August’s World Cup pool draw, maybe we can win a few games and make it to the Olympics. That is the most important thing I want to achieve for the national team and the country.