Stephen Curry has made it on some of the NBA’s most coveted awards lists, but he is more than just a force on the court. An investor and advocate for human rights, Curry is using his current NBA Finals appearance to boost the names of some Black fashion designers.
The tunnel walk for NBA players has become a proverbial runway. With athletes more in tune with their wardrobe, designers consider these brief moments ideal for exposure and brand recognition
“Celebrities like actors and musicians only have a few red carpets a year, but basketball players play anywhere between 80 to 100 games,” he said. “They basically have a red carpet every third day of the year if you spread them out,” fashion stylist Ian Pierno told the New York Times.
Check out the Black-owned fashion brands Curry wore during each game of the finals so far.
Richfresh
Game one of the finals brought on a disappointing loss for the Warriors. However, Curry delivered on and off the court by rocking Richfresh.
Richfresh is a Black-owned label founded by designer Patrick “Fresh” Henry. The Memphis native started his fashion journey as a tailor at 21. However, his story would be filled with twists and turns that would one day leave him homeless.
Nevertheless, Fresh used his down moments as an opportunity to elevate his thinking. While in a homeless shelter, he came up with the idea to create a Black luxury clothing brand.
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Today, he is amassing millions of dollars styling and designing some of pop culture’s top influencers. In addition to Steph Curry, Henry’s work can be seen on people like Lena Waithe, Dwyane Wade, and John Legend.
Ade Dehye
Imagine scrolling through social media, and one of your hometown superstars appears on your timeline representing your clothing brand. That was the reality for Akintunde Ahmad when Steph Curry walked through the tunnel before game two.
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Ahmad is an Oakland-based owner of Ade Dehye. According to the company’s website, the clothing brand draws inspiration from across the African Diaspora. Each piece is ethically and sustainably made in Ghana, and the textiles are sourced on the continent of Africa.
Ade Dehye began in 2020 by fusing West African textiles with urban streetwear and luxury design.
Trophy Hunting
Call it a game-day-focused fit or simply call it athleisure. Whatever the preference, Steph stepped into the Boston Celtics arena ready to face Jayson Tatum and the squad with a travel suit by Trophy Hunting. The owners describe the brand’s creation as the embodiment of “Winners Lifestyle.”
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The fashion brand isn’t new to the NBA. In 2019, Trophy Hunting launched the Friends & Family Collection, partnering with Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, and D’Angelo Russell to create a tee and hoodie for that season.
Other notable figures seen sporting Trophy Hunting were New York rapper Jay-Z and Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul.
Michel Men
Michel Men’s clothing may be for men, but a Black woman is behind the brand.
Founder and CEO Whitney Michel is a first-generation Haitian American designer. Describing her work as the “New Americana,” Michel aims to “redefine American menswear by creating modern, minimalist, and elevated approaches to classic men’s staples.”
Appearing in notable fashion magazines like Vogue, GQ, and Esquire, Michel is making her mark on the industry. That mark got a little bigger when Curry traveled through the arena wearing Michel Men’s baby blue cashmere cardigan.
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Curry has been tight lip about the reasoning behind his fashion choices during this finals appearance. However, it seems as if he is quite intentional in providing Black-owned brands with the recognition and support they deserve.
We will be looking for what other Black-owned designers he decides to showcase next.
