Lakers’ guard Jordan Clarkson, in his third season, is not only beginning to find an identity among his youthful Los Angeles teammates, but helping to define the style of the city both on and off the court. Through Delta Air Line’s “Beyond the Court” initiative, fans had an opportunity to interact with Clarkson who teamed up with fashion designer Chris Stamp to collaborate on the Stampd spring collection.
“I think he’s got a really great eye, how he dresses is very natural to him and the way he puts things together is cool,” said Stamp, Creative Director of Stampd. “I think the NBA and the fashion world look to him and respect him in that way.”
Stampd, the brick and mortar, opened in May of last year, located on the stretch of La Brea in Los Angeles that is home to Drake’s OVO store among other popular contemporary brands. The store features an open layout with a showroom, a retail store and an event space with the clothing being described as a luxury street wear brand.
“I’ve put in a lot of work since the beginning and to see that relatively a few years in, we have our own store on La Brea and we’re doing events with the Lakers is amazing,” said Stamp, who started graphic designing out of his apartment a decade ago. “Being a kid growing up on the west coast and a huge fan of the Kings and Lakers, it’s cool to see it come full circle and to be doing things I am really passionate about and the integration between the two.”
Where career and passion intersect is the mission of the “Beyond the Court” campaign, providing an opportunity for fans to see a different side of their favorite athletes.
“I think it’s really cool that a lot of them are transitioning to the fashion world,” said Asusena Huezo who attended the event. “It brings that cool athletic style, which is really different.”
Clarkson has been featured in Vogue, arguably the most revered fashion outlet, for his “unique” style. As Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell mentioned in an interview with the duo, Clarkson can be found in anything from a canary yellow matching sweat suit, to a V-Neck where the “V” hits right above his navel.
“Unique,” is how Clarkson describes his style. “I like to integrate a lot of colors, just different stuff and the crazy thing is I’m colorblind so when you see me wearing off colors sometimes it’s because I really don’t know if it’s going together.”
Matching or not, the 24-year-old has clearly developed a style that has people taking notice.
“I’m inspired by it,” said Lakers fan, Irv Kintaudi, who toted ripped jeans and a color block crewneck. “It’s that young L.A. style that everyone loves.”
Clarkson agrees it is something about the L.A. style that he is drawn to naming Russell Westbrook and James Harden as fellow players whose style he respects.
“They’re from L.A., so they have that L.A. swag too,” said Clarkson. “Russell does whatever he wants, so I think it’s cool.”
In recent years, NBA players like Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and even his Lakers teammate, Nick Young have become fashion trendsetters seen on the sidelines of New York fashion week. Fans have witnessed their favorite athletes turn NBA pre-games into fashion runways.
“When you have all these months to be in the house, it’s good to fall in love with what you’re passionate about,” said Clarkson. The partnership between Delta Air Lines and the Lakers on the “Beyond the Court” initiative has allowed Clarkson and others to explore those passions with potential to create a second career or simply a productive way to spend their offseason.
