(Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
LeBron James landed on the East Coast and it wasn’t just to sit front row at NYFW. Harlem’s Fashion Row kicked off NYFW and their 11th Season with their Harlem Fashion Row Gala and Award Show at Capitale in NYC. The NBA player was in the building to accept the Icon 360 Award and make a huge announcement that will affect Harlem’s Fashion Row and the three designing presenters, Undra Celeste, Kimberly Goldson, and Fe Noel forever.
(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
The 33-year-old walked on stage, hand in hand with his youngest daughter, Zhuri James, whom he picked up and then before beginning to address the audience, lovingly asked, “Do you want to stand or do you want me to hold you?” (She opted for being held the entire speech while playing with the decorations and microphone on his lapel).
LeBron talked about the importance of Black women in his life, mentioning his mother, Gloria, who raised him as a 16-year-old single mother. He fondly said, “What I stand for and what I do comes straight from the heart. […] I had the example of my mother every single day.” He then spoke about the importance of his wife, Savannah and cheekily said, “Savannah was with me shooting in the gym,” referencing “his good friend” Drake’s verse on Rick Ross’ Stay Schemin’.
He spoke about his change in mindset when he had his daughter, Zhuri, “I had two boys first. My oldest, LeBron Jr. and Bryce James. Everyone said having a girl will change you. She’s not only changed me, but she’s made me a more dedicated person, a stronger person, a more sensitive person. I have a responsibility to women.”
Photo by Danielle James. LeBron James x Harlem Fashion Row 16’s for women.
He took this responsibility a step further by collaborating with Harlem Fashion Row, Undra Celeste, Kimberly Goldson, and FeNoel on releasing his LeBron 16’s for women. Harlem Fashion Row dropped a video of the four women working on the white and gold shoe design. The shoe, in my opinion, is fire.
He closed out his speech, subbing all the recent Nike haters who are agitated that the brand kept Colin Kaepernick on payroll and is supporting his decision by stating, “I stand for anybody that believes in change. I’ll stand for anybody that believes in a positive attitude and a positive matter. I believe and I stand with Nike every day, all day.” I love seeing LeBron James standing confidently in his purpose and using his spotlight to shine on the talents of others.
Photo by Danielle James. Harlem Fashion Row, September 2018. Nike runway show.
After James’ spoke, Nike had a fashion show, presenting the new shoe on several models wearing Nike clothing.
