Features
TIMOTHY WEAH TALKS AFROBEATS, NEW BALANCE & LIVING LIKE A BUTTERFLY
“I hope I have an impact on the world in a sense where people look at me as a young kid living his dreams and living his life,” Timothy Weah says from the living room sofa of his Lille home.
It’s a wet and miserable Wednesday in the North of France with showers and grey skies having persisted from morning ’till evening. Despite this, the mood of the Les Dogues star could not be more different.
The 22-year-old has spent the majority of his day on set for a shoot with New Balance promoting a new, unreleased boot alongside the Boston-founded brand and with time now heading deep into the evening, Weah would be forgiven for lacking energy, as any person would.
But Timothy Weah is not just any person. Nor is he what you think.
Timothy Weah at home. Photography by Shane Bain.
Like New Balance, Weah originates from the United States. Born in New York, a city that birthed fashion icons such as A$AP Rocky, Weah credits his birthplace for his style. “We all know that New York is one of the most influential places to go for fashion, alongside Paris,” he says.
“Growing up in New York, you get a bit of everything. You have people from uptown, the Bronx who are particularly Spanish so you get that flavour. You got the Jamaicans who live in Queens and you got the Irish people that also live in Queens, so you get a mix of different things and you take inspiration from everyone. I think that’s what you get in the fashion culture as well as the music culture.”
Alongside NYC, it would also be his father’s interest in fashion that ignited the spark in Weah that has made him one of football’s flyest characters. “My interest in fashion started very early. Growing up with a father that was an athlete, he was also into fashion having lived in Italy, France and all these different places. He had Dolce & Gabbana, Versace and Dior in his closet so I’d see all of that and I’d be like ‘damn, one day when I make it I want to get all this stuff too!’.”
That day has already arrived for Weah. With a designer-filled wardrobe of his own and a Ligue 1 title to his name before turning twenty-three, he now has the backing of a global brand in New Balance who have positioned him at the forefront of their mission to take over not just the game, but the world.
“New Balance has been huge for me,” Weah says whilst donning the brand from head to toe. “Their motto is about feeling free and feeling like you can do whatever you want, showing the world that you’re fearless, you know? They gave me an opportunity to really express myself and do the things I really want to do.”
“With the photoshoots we have, I have a say in it and with the videos and content we make, I have a say. It’s fun knowing I can use the platform they’ve given me to train both my fashion sense and creativeness and dive into those situations.”
The brand’s rise has seen global superstars such as the NBA’s Kahwi Leonard, rapper Jack Harlow and the multi-talented Jaden Smith sign with New Balance in recent years with Raheem Sterling, Sadio Mané and Bukayo Saka now rocking the iconic NB logo in the football scene alongside Weah.
Though hugely popular already, Weah believes the continued growth of the brand is only just getting started. “For me, New Balance is the best brand right now and I’m so happy that I’m with them,” he tells me.
“If you look five years before now, personally, I didn’t really see a lot of people rocking New Balance and if you look today, their shoes are everywhere. Everyone wants a 550!”
Timothy Weah x New Balance. Photography by Shane Bain.
“They’re clean, they’re slick and I think New Balance is perfect for the stage and culture that we’re currently in. Their collaboration with Aimé Leon Dore is probably the craziest thing out there right now. Personally, I believe New Balance is already the biggest shoe brand, without a doubt, but they’re definitely going to be the best for some time to come.”
If you’re yet to jump on the New Balance wave, it’d be hard to believe you haven’t been living under a rock. There’s no need to panic, though. I ask Weah which product he would recommend to a first-time customer. His response?
“I’d tell them to be simple. You want to go with the fresh 550s. For me, as I said earlier, it’s one of the cleanest shoes around. I’m huge on shoes, I’m a shoe-head! One of the hardest shoes I have right now is the New Balance x Joe Freshgoods. Crazy colourway, the quality of the shoe, the material used… it’s something that a lot of people wouldn’t know how to style but those are the hardest shoes I have.”
Before entering his mid-twenties, Weah has already played in the U.S., France and Scotland having had spells with the New York Red Bulls, Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic before returning to France with Lille in 2019. Living in three vastly different countries has given him the opportunity to see different cultures and styles that others may not get to experience, something he says has shaped the way he sees fashion.
“I feel like the style in every place I’ve been has been very different but for me, I always say just because it’s different doesn’t mean it’s not fashion. You feel me? If one person dresses one way, that’s how they see it and that’s their vision,” he tells me passionately.
“It’s just like art. Jean-Michael Basquait was painting his type of way and Andy Warhol was painting a different type of way but when they came together, it was something beautiful. I think it’s the same thing with fashion. Everyone has their own fashion sense and it’s beautiful in their own way. I love and respect it, it’s a way for people to express themselves and show who they are.”
The conversation around self-expression brings us onto the rise of football x fashion and the differing styles of players in the game with each bidding to show their personality away from the pitch. For Weah, the new generation of ballers are making the most of what the previous generations weren’t fortunate enough to have at their disposal: the ‘Gram.
“Players are showing their drip and I think with social media, you now have the platform to express yourself in a way that people didn’t have before.”
Timothy Weah x Footballer Fits. Photography by Shane Bain.
“I think seeing the NBA and seeing how they really push their fashion, I feel like as footballers, we want to do the same. Rap and hip-hop culture and all those other things come into play too. Guys are listening to music and catching a vibe and I feel like footballers are just feeding off all of that,” Weah explains.
“Everyone wants to be a star, everyone wants to be an artist and everyone wants to be a fashion icon and I think in football, we’re beginning to see that. Now you see a lot of players like Marcus Thuram, crazy drip! You’re seeing Trevoh Chalobah, crazy drip! Those are my guys and I think together, we’re taking it to that next level for sure.”
For most ballers with interests outside of the game, the ‘focus on football’ rhetoric is regularly thrown their way with the older generation of football fans seemingly incapable of letting go of their traditional mindset regarding athletes. For Weah, players are using their interest in fashion off the pitch to boost their performances on it. “I feel like fashion plays a huge part in how you play on the field and how you act off it.”
“If you dress nice, you’re going to move with swagger and like you’re looking good. On the field, a lot of players like to cut their socks, wear wrist tape and add a little sauce to it. If you dress well, you play well and if you dress well, you feel good.”
In typical fashion, I ask whether Weah would like to see NBA-style pre-game fits implemented in football. “I feel like it’s something they need to add because I’m tired of wearing the thing as my teammates!” he says with laughter. “That’s another way fashion would level up in football, players coming to the game with photographers there ready to take pictures and then ‘boom!’, you’re on the front page of Vogue.”
I respond by asking him how hard he would go if given the opportunity to rock his own pieces before each game. “For game day, you’ve got to put on your best stuff,” he says enthusiastically. “You gotta be the best dressed, you definitely have to break the internet I think!”
Keen to find out his style preference when he’s not trying to break the internet, I ask Weah about his everyday style, something his fans aren’t always able to see. “It’s really lowkey. I’m really a guy that likes to wear black clothes. Whether it’s drippy clothes, it could be something from Rick Owens or Balenciaga, but it’s calm, it’s lowkey, it’s fitted and chill. I’m not really into flashy colours or flashy things, I just like to stay mellow and vibe out.”
As Weah switches between each outfit, his perfectly-curated playlist plays around the house from the speaker based in his kitchen with the latest track from Compton-born rapper YG bouncing from room to room. “This is going to be the album of the year,” he tells me, something I’d find hard to disagree with. Rarely a moment goes by without Weah breaking into song or moving to each beat, giving me an insight into another huge passion of his: music.
Timothy Weah wears New Balance 550 sneakers. Photography by Shane Bain.
“Music has been huge in my life. I’ve been listening to music since before I can walk,” Weah reveals. “My Dad is from Liberia and my Mum is Jamaican, so music is heavily rooted in our culture. Growing up with music, I listened to classical, jazz, r&b, hip-hop and reggaeton, all of that. Getting the flavours from each of those genres is huge on why I dress the way I dress. It adds the ability to manoeuvre through different styles and different textures.”
I take a further dive into Weah’s musical taste by quizzing him on his current rotation: “I’ve been really listening to afrobeats hard if I’m keeping it real.”
“I think two years ago I was bumping afrobeats on some regular stuff but now, I’ve been tapping into a lot of WizKid, Rema, Tems, Burna Boy and Victony so I’m heavy on the afrobeats right now. Travis Scott, Drake and those guys are definitely the legends I have on repeat in my playlist too.”
“One album I couldn’t live without? Oh man, that’s a good question! I think right now with the vibe that I’m in, of being in a mellow vibe and being chill, it would be WizKid ‘Made In Lagos’. It’s one of the best albums from start to finish. It’s just smooth, clean and elegant. I love it.”
From Weah’s energy when talking about music to the tracks playing around his house, I ask a question I should probably already know the answer to – who is in charge of the music in the dressing room?
“I’m always the dressing room DJ. They [other players] love it, man. Especially on the national team. When I go there, I’m DJ’ing the whole time. The locker room, the bus, anywhere. We have it on lock!”
Having never previously spoken to Weah before my arrival in Lille, I was unaware of what to expect from the U.S. international aside from the common knowledge of his ability in football and his range in fashion. After learning about his interest in music and specifically his taste for it, it’d be easy to label the youngster as a triple threat, mixing football, fashion and music into one. But after spending time with him, such a compliment would be doing him a disservice. Weah is more than a triple threat.
From his understanding of the different cultures he’s been indulged in to his referencing of artists Basquait and Warhol when describing his perspective of fashion, Weah is pioneering a new wave of ballers aiming to remove the stereotypes of athletes being one-dimensional and should ‘stick to what they’re good at’.
Timothy Weah wears New Balance x Aimé Leon Dore collab. Photography by Shane Bain.
With Gen-Z chasing authenticity from players more than ever, Weah is seemingly incapable of acting anything other than himself. Aware of the young people in society who may be struggling with a lack of identity amidst the pressures of social media and ever-changing demands to feel included, I bring our conversation to a close with one last question: ‘What would be your message to the youth of today?’.”
“To the young kids coming after me, just be you,” Weah says. “Do what you want and dress how you want. Listen to whatever music you want and do your thing because at the end of the day, people are going to judge you and you can’t watch that.”
“You have to block out the noise and do you. Be you. Be free. Live life. Live your life like a butterfly, you know what I mean? People always ask me what that means. Have you ever seen a butterfly do anything? Nah, it just vibes. So just vibe.”
In Partnership With: New Balance
Styled By: Timothy Weah Himself
Shot By: Shane Bain
Amadou Onana lives every single day like it’s his last. Why? Because he knows it truly could be. “Tomorrow, everything could end,” he tells me in the aftermath of our first cover shoot of the year.
“It doesn’t matter how far you’ve made it in football or life, or who you are or where you’ve come from. It’s the same for everyone. Tomorrow, anything could end. You have to live life to the fullest and go after all of your goals.”
The Everton midfielder, who has already played professionally in multiple leagues across Europe before his 23rd birthday, speaks with the maturity and humility of a seasoned pro, though not without the enthusiasm for life of a new kid on the block with the world at his feet.
For Onana, every accomplishment in his short career so far has only been possible due to the sacrifices of the two strongest people in his life: his mother and sister.
Photography by Shane Bain.
“They played a crucial role in my journey to making it as a professional,” he says. “My sister was battling cancer at the same time she helped me get a move to Hoffenheim. To this day, she is my agent. She takes care of everything in my life. Literally everything. From a personal trainer to a chef to a mental coach, whatever I need, she takes care of it. A big shoutout to my sis. She is one of the strongest human beings I know.”
“With my Mum, she did a lot,” Onana adds. “She’s my Queen. She gave up on her life and her dreams for me. She had her own business in Senegal as a physio and gave up on all of that to move to Belgium to make her child’s dream a reality. I could never say ‘thank you’ enough to my Mum.”
Born in Colobane of Dakar, Senegal, Onana’s early life – eleven years to be exact – was spent in West Africa under the roof of a 14-member household. Though originally from Cameroon, Onana’s father lived in Belgium, the place he would first meet Onana’s mother, and therefore Brussels provided the pathway to more opportunities to not only play football but to forge a professional career in the sport.
Despite Belgium’s contribution to his journey in football, Onana’s gratitude for his upbringing in Senegal has never wavered. “Growing up in both Senegal and Belgium gave me different views about life,” he says.
“They are two different countries with two very different cultures. Growing up in Senegal gave me the family values I have now. It humbled me. I’ve been around people who didn’t have much but they lived life with happiness and would help the next person, even when their situation wasn’t the best.”
Photography by Shane Bain.
“With Belgium, I moved there when I was eleven as a young kid. I went to school there, I started my football career there and I think I learned the discipline to make it to the top level during my youth there.”
Onana, by his own admission, is a larger-than-life character. If you’re in a room with him, you will know about it. Not because of his 6’4″ frame, footballer fame or distinctive style choices, but the fearlessness he holds in his self-expression. From dancing to afrobeats to belting out Giveon’s ‘Heartbreak Anniversary’ on set, Onana is never afraid to be himself in any environment, something many athletes are progressively becoming more open to than ever before.
The Belgian believes his travels across the globe have helped shape the person and player he is today. “Growing up around the world was great for me,” he says. “It opened my eyes and my vision for life. I picked up something from every single place I’ve been.”
“In Senegal, I learned family values, creativity and the art of being yourself and doing your own thing. In Belgium, I learned about football, how the industry works and the business side of the game. Going to Germany, the German discipline is just different. You really have to follow the advice you’re given and the steps as they are to succeed.”
Now, England is Onana’s new home. Almost two years on from his switch to Everton from Ligue 1 side Lille, he is one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects with the character to match. Last January, he reportedly turned down interest from Chelsea, refusing to leave the Toffees in the midst of a relegation battle, a decision that would later help keep Everton’s Premier League status intact.
Photography by Shane Bain.
Fast forward to January of this year and once again, Onana’s name is attracting suitors. Reports of interest from both Manchester United and Arsenal are rife and Everton’s troubles with the Premier League continue, including a points deduction for allegedly breaching financial regulations. Despite this, Onana remains at Goodison Park, giving his all in every game as each Evertonian – on the pitch and in the stands – continues to do since the ruling.
“I feel very happy living in England, I’ve been accepted as I am,” he says.
“I’m a loud character and I’m quite different from other people. I think that’s normalised here, which is a great thing for me. In England, I feel like people are very open-minded. You’re accepted no matter who you are, what you come from, what religion you follow and you can be yourself.”
The importance of being yourself is something that regularly features in conversation with Onana. Whether it be from his time in Senegal or forging a career as a young player in the social media era, being unique and standing out from the crowd is a vital part of his life.
“To me, it’s very important. I can’t be anything else but myself,” he reveals.
“That’s how I’ve been raised. Being proud of who I am, what I do and where I came from. In the most humble way, there is no other human being on this planet that is exactly like me. Everyone has different characters and different views on life, so just be yourself, express yourself the way you want to and do things that you actually want to do.”
Photography by Shane Bain.
Away from football, fashion and music act as an outlet for Onana in his hunt for self-expression. If you aren’t aware of the rise of football x fashion in recent years, firstly, where have you been? Secondly, things are only getting bigger so you may need to catch up whilst you still can. Long gone are the days of athletes being required to stick to football. The new generation of players are leading a wave in which they have become the new age fashion icons and with the backing of the youth, their influence over football fans and Gen-Z consumers knows no bounds.
“Everything has evolved,” says Onana. “Back in the day, football players were just seen as football players. Now, people understand we can do a lot more than that. Football doesn’t define us. Football is not who I am, but what I do and what I love. I do loads of other stuff, like singing, modelling and fashion,” Onana reveals. “It makes me happy that everyone is opening up and showing a different side to themselves. I think it’s a great thing for the game.”
“I feel like fashion is a way of expressing myself and that’s the magic thing about it,” Onana explains, more than happy to continue diving into his fashion exploits. “You get to decide what you rock today. I express myself through the way I dress and I dress the way I feel.”
“If I wake up happy, you will see it in the way I dress with loads of colour combinations. If I’m a bit moody, I’ll go dark. It really depends on my mood and that’s what is so special about it. If I feel comfortable in it, I don’t mind wearing anything. I’ve done crazy styles before and as long as I find it fire, I’mma rock it.”
Photography by Shane Bain.
One thing about top-level athletes is that they are competitive by nature, in any and every field they play. When it comes to football and fashion, things are no different. As the niche continues to grow (a rise which saw training fits and pre-game looks introduced across club socials in Europe last season), so do the levels being displayed by each elite-level baller with a love of self-expression. Naturally, debates between players now go further than just on-the-pitch performances with wardrobe wars replacing everyday football discussions and players battling it out to be the best-dressed athletes in sport. Barcelona’s Jules Koundé and Aston Villa’s Kenza Dali were most recently crowned Footballer Fits’ 2023 MVPs, a prize given to the flyest footballers of the year.
For both club and country, Onana has shared dressing rooms with some of the waviest names in the football x fashion world, aside from his own of course. One baller in particular stands out when I quiz him on the best-dressed players he’s played alongside.
“Number one, Mr Michy Batshuayi. That guy is fly! That guy is cold!” Onana says without a second of hesitation.
“I like the way he dresses because it’s different from anyone else. He does his own thing and you can really see that. The way he dresses matches his personality, which I love.”
“Timothy Weah is another. I played with him back in Lille. He brings that American style and he’s one of the coldest I know. I also like Dominic Calvert-Lewin a lot too. Again, he expresses himself differently to most people. Jérémy Doku is a fly baller and he’s my guy! I play with him at Belgium and every time we come to meet up, it’s a competition, I’m not going to lie! People are always trying to look the best and I like it. I could name even more, but I feel like these guys are the flyest I’ve played with.”
Photography by Shane Bain.
Whilst the endless supply of inspiration from other players may be of use to many, Onana’s inspiration comes from far greater means than the Instagram feeds of his peers. “I feel like I inspire myself from everything I see. I look at other athletes, artists, models or my experience travelling the world and coming from Senegal, where people dress in a very loud and colourful way,” he says.
“Then I can go across the globe to America and look at the NFL players for example. I feel like I can dress in any kind of way, I can dress young, I can dress classy and elegant, I can dress crazy and colourful and do it all, rock n’ roll. I don’t really focus on brands. For me, as I said, if it looks good, I don’t care about anything else. I really look at everyone around me for inspiration but then try to do my own thing.”
Fashion is no longer the only route of self-expression players are exploring outside of the game, though. The new-found trend of footballers launching music careers is becoming harder to ignore with each passing day. AC Milan’s Rafael Leão goes by the pseudonym ‘Way 45′ to release his music, Juventus’ Moise Kean recently released his debut track under the group ’19F’ and Memphis Depay has been dropping heat across all streaming platforms in recent years.
Onana’s musical ability is no secret either. From singing videos on his own channels – including his viral cover of Summer Walker’s ‘Session 32’ – to his ability to rap in multiple languages on the same track, the midfielder sees music as another form of expressiveness that football nor fashion can offer. “With music, I can put everything into words,” he says.
“I’m expressing myself with my voice and I can shout about how I feel. It’s different and expressing myself in a way that everyone can understand in comparison to football and fashion.”
Photography by Shane Bain.
Onana is not just jumping on a popular trend either, as his family will attest to. Since early, music has been a part of his life.
“My love for music started young, you know. I’ve always loved listening to music, singing in the house and in the shower so loud that my Mum would bang the door! I started writing my own tracks since I was young too,” he reveals.
“Ten, eleven-years-old, writing little rap songs and that. I never released them and never will because those songs were crap! Nah, I’m just joking, but those songs were very different to the ones I create now. I released the track with you guys and my guy #17 (Alex Iwobi), which was a great track too by the way and I’m planning on releasing more in the future. It’s something that’s really fun for me.”
The process of those tracks can start and end anywhere for Onana. Though many musical talents like to lock in during their time at the studio, Onana, like his fashion sense, sources inspiration from all over. “I feel like I could start writing anywhere,” he says, taking me through his creative process.
“I could be on the coach to an away game and a bar will come in my head. Sometimes I see something and I’m able to write about it there and then. There’s no special place or routine. I just need a beat, my creativity and inspiration and that’s it. I can write from anywhere at any time.”
As things stand, the footballer music scene is yet to have as many participants as the fashion wave, but it continues to grow. Draping yourself in designer clothes and the latest fashion trends across social media is a little easier than being born with musical ability, it must be said. Despite the vast improvement of criticism against players for their outside interests, making and releasing music still has some way to go before it’s fully accepted in the sport. Because of this, some players with genuine talent have kept it far from the eyes and ears of football folklore and traditional media, something Onana wants to change.
“There are some very talented ballers out there who are probably scared to release something because of those who say ‘focus on football’. Of course, football is the main part of my life but it’s what I do, it’s not what I am,” Onana says passionately.
Photography by Shane Bain.
“Football is the most important thing so I’m focused on it but I need other interests and to think about different things when I’m away from the pitch. I think that’s more healthy. The ballers out there with talent, go out there and do your thing. Believe in yourself and just drop it, man. If you enjoy it, do it. We have to thank the likes of Memphis Depay who started the wave, so a big shout out to him and the other players that created a pathway for us to express ourselves.”
Spending time with Onana, it is incredibly hard to believe he is still just 22-years-old. From his understanding of life to his humble nature with everything he says and does, you would be forgiven for thinking he had already been there and done it all. A born leader who is focused on using his voice and his platform to inspire those around him and help those who need it most, Onana strays far from the stereotypes given to footballers.
Whilst becoming the best player he can be is a huge ambition and one he will give everything to reach, he understands life does not revolve around eleven people kicking a ball every Saturday, even when we football supporters feel that it does. Instead, leaving a legacy beyond the walls of a football stadium is at the forefront of his mind.
“I want to break records, I want to win as many trophies as I can, I want to push the barriers and play as many games as I can. I want people to remember me as the football player I am.”
“But more importantly, I want people to remember the person I am. To remember the people I inspired and the charity work I’ve done. I want to help as many people as I can, donate as much as I can and do as much as I can for my people.”
“At the end of the day, that’s what really matters to me, man. Football is great, but there’s a life after it. I want to be remembered for way, way more than just football.”
Producer: Jordan Clarke
Executive Producer: Kieran Clarke
Photography: Shane Bain
Video: Cory Shillingford-Cox
BTS Video: Ellie Wickes
Styling/Creative Direction: Marcus Pancho
Make-up: Corrine Gibbons
Lighting: Aaron Price
Retouching: Adam Lupton
Cover Design: Scott Mcroy
Jewellery: Local Kettle Brothers
Without a doubt, it was an eventful off-season for football. Our favorite ballers have gone from movie-level holiday scenes, all the way into the recent round of international friendlies stateside and beyond. A hectic way to introduce this weekend’s all-new league title race, to say the least, but we’re here for it.
From the Bundesliga to La Liga, the Premier League & Serie A, the top style prospects – some new like the youngbloods on Chelsea’s roster, some veterans – have used this downtime wisely & carried the fashion game on their backs, using any opportunity to showcase their individual styles and character through clothing.
We’ve seen an impressive variety of fits and dress codes, with players cooling off – and loading up – as far as hillside & courtside L.A. to NYC, beachside in Mexico, yacht settings in French Riviera spots, Mykonos & Ibiza, to kicking ball in Asia. There’s no telling how many beige private jet interiors and clearport content we’ve seen from this season…and we’re not mad at it.
Take AC Milan star forward Rafael Leão for example. Just like his on-pitch play – the smooth stepovers, risktaking strikes – he’s recently come into his own style-wise too, developing much more confidence in his creative flair and how he pulls his fits together. He’s already been coming different with the flat caps, jorts and penny loafers. Tuff.
In anticipation of the new pre-game looks this season, we peeped the braziest fits of the past few months to bring you a round-up of the current fashion trends that are here to stay. Fellow ballers, stylists, personal shoppers, boys and girls of the FF community – take notes (or screenshots).
LV To Kenzo: Luxury Brands Still Have Motion
Clearly, Louis Vuitton’s streetwear-luxury reign has been extended with Pharrell’s takeover. More than ever, the brand has a growing pull that keeps players loyal to their designs – even without sponsorship deals. The likes of Jude and Jobe Bellingham, Sancho & Marcus Thuram pulled up kitted out in LV to Skateboy P’s opening SS24 Paris Fashion Week show and did numbers on the ‘Gram and TikTok.
Just like Pharrell, O.G designer and BAPE founder Nigo has brought new eyes to legendary brand Kenzo. The vibrant blend of preppy Parisian vibes with real Japanese formalwear is slowly picking up momentum & motion and saw shots & footage of Leroy Sané and girlfriend Candice Brook in full Kenzo drip at June’s show went viral across socials. It’s no wonder why given the traditional Japanese wrap shirt and wide-leg pleated pants the Bayern Munich winger rocked brought a whole new level of drip to the table, It’s time to see more players taking a chance on Kenzo’s graphic tees, kimono wrap-style blazer jackets and their cold denim pieces going forward.
Now take this in… Jules Koundé’s appearance at both Kenzo & Louis Vuitton’s shows alone made him the third most influential athlete – behind Lebron James and Lewis Hamilton – stacking up almost $1 million in media value* for brands just from online engagement, per lefty.io. Footballers as a whole made up 14% of Fashion Week’s media value. Stats that prove ballers aren’t ditching pieces from the world’s biggest brands just yet.
This season, we’re hoping to see for ballers rock the new camo, “Minecraft style” Damier LV print pieces introduced by Pharrell. Don’t be surprised to see the new “buttery” leather monogram speedy bags and the latest selection of solid leather jackets either, which have already been seen on Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram.
The LV x Kid Super Autumn / Winter ‘24 collection is one to watch too, most notably the easily identifiable patchwork-face outerwear, donned by Chelsea’s Diego Moreira and renowned baller fashion-head Jesse Lingard.
Classy And Elegant Flex
Over the summer, we’ve seen luxurious vacation views and even more luxurious drip from the game’s biggest players. There’s been a clear shift, where ballers are wearing much more formal, understated, and classic fits. Take the classic tailored pants, the linen shirts and even the suede Loro Piana summer walks rocked by Juventus’ Moise Kean for example.
They’ve all been keeping to the unspoken yet strict color scheme too: cool beiges and browns, calm blues and crisp whites. The unshakeable Ousmane Dembélé – now at PSG – and Atlético Madrid’s Memphis Depay are just two ballers doing just that.
This classy theme is heavily inspired by the sweet, city life of fashion hotspots like Milan, Monaco, London and Paris. A life that calls for quality and coolness in all areas. Don’t get it twisted though – there’s no age limit on this trend. Young players like Liverpool’s Stefan Bajčetić have stepped up and made this their own. Check his ‘Gram for proof. At only 18, he’s yet to miss with once in the fashion regard. Designer Martine Rose also had the USWNT looking dapper & chic in their custom pre-game suits at the Women’s World Cup.
The cooler months will call for high thread count cashmere sweaters, flawless blazers, bespoke shirts and trousers with premium leather kicks. Look no further than brands like Prada, Loewe, Ami and JW Anderson for inspiration via their latest collections. Loewe’s introduction of high-waisted, straight and ever-so-slightly flared pants are 10/10. Affordable options in Cos and Massimo Dutti could also do the trick too.
This is definitely the vibe we’re looking for this season. Plus, with players like Jude Bellingham getting the call-up at Real Madrid and Timothy Weah linking up with the impeccably dressed Juventus guys, it’s no time before they see the vision & catch the Mediterranean wave.
Right (And Left) Wrist Van Cleef
Drake was spot on when he sealed this trend into current culture with the above lyrics from “BackOutsideBoyz”. The luxury jewelry brand – Van Cleef & Arpels – famed for their neat and lightweight four-leaf clover style “Alhambra” bracelets – have got players like Jadon Sancho spinning the block back to the store and doubling up the amount they wear on one wrist.
The brand has really caught on due to its “lucky charm” look, which means each link gives off a personal feel to its owner. Now this may not be everyone’s vibe (nor everyone’s price bracket) and that’s cool. More than anything this season we’re looking out for similar jewelry that has a sentimental feel to it. Chains and bracelets that are delicate in weight, but valuable in their meaning fit this criteria. This new trend of jewelry with sentimental value also explains why stars like Drizzy recently grabbed Tupac’s ring (before Karim Benzema got a chance) and Pharrell’s chains at auction. Expensive or cheap – we’re ready for ballers to follow suit.
Heavy On The Denim
If you haven’t been under a rock these past few months, you’ll agree that the jorts – or jeans shorts – trend has been going crazy amongst players. From LV print carpenter shorts to knee length and baggier three-quarter styles, the variety made it an easy summer staple for the likes of Leão and style heavyweight Trevoh Chalobah.
Looking ahead to the 23/24 season, it’s time to turn the denim trend up a notch. After all, jorts can’t be the move in the upcoming colder weather. Brands like Givenchy, Gucci, Loewe, Diesel, Y-Project and JW Anderson are dropping so many denim options back to back that we’re now spoilt for choice. But these aren’t the overly ripped, super bleached or distressed types we’ve been used to.
These are jeans in their purest form, with a heavy-weight look to them: a sign of quality. Whether that be 90s-looking light blues, mildly stonewashed grays or darker-dyed options, good denim is a vibe right now. Jeans that look sturdy & hefty, straight fit and slightly wide (but not ridiculous). We’ve had promising glimpses of this already, but we’re definitely praying to see more across the league. Less of the overdone & typical flashy jeans, more of the traditional, tastefully finished stuff. Alright, the Denim Tears and Chrome Hearts jeans can stay too…
Tales From The Far East
South Asia has recently provided top-notch hospitality within football over the summer. Hosting the Barcelona boys in Tokyo and welcoming Manchester City in South Korea on their pre-season tours. But it’s Asia’s contribution to fashion that ballers and fashion fanatics should be most grateful for.
We know the Japanese don’t play when it comes to quality design and individualistic 1-of-1 drip that’s made to last a lifetime. Their creation & use of materials is globally respected, as their dyeing & “boro boro” reuse/upcycling process is one that’s been perfected for generations. For those looking to bring different vibes and have a fashion advantage, we recommend locking in & seeking out the rising fashion brands & trends coming out of Asia this season. You’re bound to find unseen archive pieces, crazy silhouettes (again, like Kenzo) and second-to-none textiles & detailing. This is the boundless creativity and freedom football has been needing; Asian fashion and excellent craftsmanship overseas will play a big part.
Brands like Thug Club out of South Korea – already supported by the likes of ASAP Rocky, SZA and Central Cee – are bringing new interpretations of streetwear with fire designs. Their double denim sets are embroidered with their futuristic-looking star & moon “TC” logo are too hard to pass up. And the caps, tees and hoodies? A must-cop!
Standout designers like Seoul-based Andersson Bell & LVMH prize nominee Juntae Kim are ones we hope to see featured amongst Barca’s tunnel fits & rocked well at the Netherlands’ national team camp. Bell knows ball, since recently the brand hosted Trevoh Chalobah front row at their Milan SS24 show. The new collection features crazy style linkups like doubled-up hoodies & leather pants patched with cargo pockets. The latter brand Juntae goes equally as hard with cropped bomber jackets and immaculately creased denim that give a two-tone effect. Phenomenal.
Of course, long-standing luxury Asian brands like WooyoungMi & Japanese brand Sacai – most known over here for the Nike Vaporwaffle – could do with some more love in the league. Sacai’s on a different level since their recent collaborations with Carhartt, which is all about upgraded workwear and fits inspired by the great outdoors. Their multi-functional dungarees and pocketed puffers, bombers, long length parka jackets with asymmetric openings would be a perfect fit for a style maverick like Michy Batshuayi.
This one ain’t just a trend, it’s a movement. Get tapping into the endless brands coming out of Asia!
Belt Buckle-Mania
The bigger the buckle, the better! Musicians like Travis Scott & Kendrick Lamar have been rocking custom belts the size of WWE titles and we’re feeling it. Seeing the strong connection between sport and music, it won’t be long before we see ballers tighten up and catch onto the bucklemania effect. You won’t have trouble finding your own, since Gucci has brought back the legendary double G buckle and Loewe have released belts big enough for Wild West cowboys.
Let us know which trends you’re looking out for ahead of another wavey year in the football x fashion space.
