Fashion: Lebron James Gives Women Strength In Sole – “Strongest Women” HFR X Lebron 16
By Desiree Dossen
We are in an age where comfort is a luxury! More women are Executives in corporate offices; while juggling the lifestyle of being a mother, wife, and entrepreneur. Finding that comfortable, yet fashionable shoe in 2018 is a dream, and our future President Lebron James has made that dream come true with his new shoe, the HFR X Lebron 16.
James has used his collaboration with Nike to shed light on everyday women superheroes. Side note; Liberia has a former Soccer star as a President, perhaps the USA needs a Basketball player such as Lebron James who is doing more for communities and students than its current President. Yet that is another conversation. Moreover, to balance the extreme sport of being a woman – a hard ball task most men cannot fathom – James has worked with Nike to create a shoe that is both chic and comfortable. That balance of chic and comfort will always be a go to theme when dressing for the everyday woman – its coexistence is almost non-negotiable. One can still be classy while wearing a cocktail dress and some kicks. C’mon, all of my style enthusiasts out there… not every day we must pain ourselves to wear by force heels. Something we’ve all had to learn the hard way!!!
On a lighter note, these pair of cream knit trainers with hardware ankle straps and gold accents is athleisure at its finest. The beauty about this shoe is that it was designed by three style forces; Undra Duncan, Kimberly Goldon, and Fe Noel, and inspired by the presence of strong women in James’ life. Made by women for women.
Undra Duncan, Kimberly Goldson, Fe Noel
Lebron James, in collaboration with Nike, showcased the sneaker during Harlem’s Fashion Row as he received the “Icon 360” Award for his Style and Philanthropy.
As written on BlackEnterprise;
“Along with his mother, the Los Angeles Laker credits his wife and daughter as a source of inspiration behind his 16th sneaker, the HFR x LeBron 16, titled “The Strongest.” “Being the son, husband, and father of strong African American women, I felt like this was something I wanted to do for them and for all the strong women out there who are succeeding despite what might be stacked against them,” he said in a statement.”
#FromSoleToCrown
Overall, Lebron James and his team are most certainly serving ‘Style Through Representation’!!! It is really exciting to witness an influential Black man advocate and put the Black woman on a pedestal deserving of strength and talents. Through this gesture, James is debunking many stereotypes against Black Athletes and Black women, and using his platform and privilege to show great respect to the women who add abundance to his life. A King indeed he is!
Meanwhile, Nike has made recent headlines for symbolically taking a stand, or should we say, a knee of solidarity with their latest “Just do it” campaign with Colin Kaepernick at the center. The collaboration comes in wake of Kaepernick’s fight against injustices in the NFL, and police brutality against Black people in America. Despite being one of the best Quarterbacks in recent American Football history, Kaepernick has been unable to land a contract with any team in the NFL after his decision to take a knee in protest during the singing of the American National Anthem on national television – an act that has sparked controversial debates on race and police brutality in America.
Happy fashion month once again. We are happy to continue shedding a cross cultural light on the arts and fashion we love.
