A Glam Slam

NBA SEASON TIPS OFF: IT'S DIAMONDS AND DUNKS FOR THE LAKERS

The 2009/2010 NBA season is officially underway! This year promises to bring great ball and lots of surprises, with stories that have already made headlines. Here’s a quick recap: Shaquille O’Neal has joined the Cleveland Cavaliers who have started the season at 0-2, Ron Artest is now playing on the L.A. Lakers, Vince Carter has teamed up with the Orlando Magic and No. 1 draft pick, Blake Griffin, is already out with a broken knee cap. 

But team changes and injuries aside, it was the L.A. Lakers who certainly kicked off their season in style. 

The reigning champs received their 2008/2009 championship rings during a pregame ceremony, before beating the L.A. Clippers in their season opener. And let’s just say that “bling” is an understatement. Each ring was made of 15-carat gold (instead of 14-carat gold, to commemorate the Laker's 15th championship win) and featured a laser engraved image of each player's face! As if that wasn't enough, the top of the ring included a white-gold image of the Larry O'Brien championship trophy surrounded by 15 diamonds. Are you drooling yet? 

    

And the commemorative gear doesn't stop there. On November 1, Adidas Originals is releasing a special edition metallic gold and purple "Los Angeles Lakers Superstar" shoe. The shoe's tongue features the team logo and the insoles include the magic number, yes you guessed it, 15. A little flashy, but Glam Gal welcomes the metallic hue as opposed to the signature yellow. You can pick up a pair of these kicks here, or at the NBA store and other Adidas and Lakers stores.

  

Will the Lakers repeat? Who do you think will win the NBA finals this year?

- Glam Gal - 

WHO'S HAUTE? THURSDAYS: OWEN WRIGHT

A Glam Slam introduces you to the next big thing in surfing: Aussie hottie Owen Wright. This 19-year-old has quickly become an exciting and dominant force in the sport. Not only did he go undefeated in every Junior Pro tournament that he surfed this year, but as a wildcard entry, he recently eliminated 9-time ASP World Champion, Kelly Slater, in the Rip Curl pro search. Wright has also secured a position on the 2010 ASP World Tour.

Wright is a member of the Rip Curl team and has just re-signed with the major sponsor for five more years. And Rip Curl, an Australian manufacturer and retailer of surfwear, has also released a new line of surf gear. Wright has taken part in the design of a high-performance boardshort called MIRAGE 3. The MIRAGE 3 short is the top of the line “boardie” in the collection because of the comfortable fit and "cool" look for surfers.

And the “Wright stuff” is definitely in the genes. Owen has also signed a major sponsorship deal with Boost Mobile along with his three younger siblings, who are up-and-coming surfers.  

The motto of this laid back dude, “Have fun and never give up.”

Owen Wright is Who’s Haute.

  

- Glam Gal - 

ROWLEY AND ROXY MAKE A SPLASH WITH NEW LINE

Listen up beach babes because surfing has never been so chic. Designer Cynthia Rowley has partnered with surf and swim label, Roxy, on a new line simply named “Cynthia Rowley for Roxy.” Rowley is said to be an avid surfer herself, which led to the collaboration and the upcoming 40-piece collection of swimsuits, wetsuits, dresses, tees and accessories.

According to WWD, Rowley explained, “My whole idea for this collection was to take all of the great functionality found in these surf clothes and bring some fashion into the function.” Whether you are catching some waves or weekending at the beach, you can now do so in comfort and style.

The budget-friendly line, which launches in March 2010, will be available exclusively at Barney’s New York in the U.S. and at Collette in Paris as well as Roxy and Cynthia Rowley stores. Glam Gal is “so stoked” for this collection.

- Glam Gal - 

A RUNNER'S PARADISE: ASICS OPENS FLAGSHIP STORE IN NYC

ASICS, a leading footwear and apparel brand, has opened its first U.S. retail store in NYC. This location marks the third ASICS store, with others in both Tokyo and London. With the NYC Marathon just around the corner, it’s a perfect time for runners to stock up on all of the essentials.

Located at 51 West 42^nd Street, the 1,100 square foot store boasts a huge selection of running-specific merchandise and offers the brand’s unique “Foot ID” system. “Foot ID” provides an interactive experience for consumers, who can get a first-hand look at the ASICS technology. It involves a 3-D scan of the foot to help determine the best shoe for a customer’s foot and running style. So cool!

On hand to help celebrate the store opening was Olympic hurdler, Lolo Jones. Jones signed autographs and offered advice to aspiring fans.

Make sure to check out the new store; it’s definitely worth the trip!

 
- Glam Gal - 

A GLAM SLAM HALLOWEEN: SPORTS FIGURE STYLE

Ahh, Halloween. This is the only time of year when it is acceptable for guys to dress as girls and girls to dress in as little as possible. But why not get creative this year? The festivities begin in less than a week, which means most people are still scrambling for last minute costume ideas. A Glam Slam comes to your rescue with these easy and timely, do-it-yourself “sports figure” costumes.

2009 ALCS Umpire

• Here's what you'll need:
• Black cap
• Black jacket
• Black pants
• Giant clown glasses 

      

“Klamar” (Celeb Couple Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom)

• Here's what you'll need:
• Lakers jersey (change the name on the back to read "Klamar") 
• Fake muscle arms
• Black mini skirt stuffed with fake buns 
• A face over-done with makeup including an excessive amount of black eyeliner
• Basketball sneakers or stilettos, take your pick.
• For an added touch, carry a pre-nuptial agreement

    

Brett Favre, because it never gets old.

• Here's what you'll need:
• A Favre Minnesota Vikings jersey and Green Bay Packers jersey; cut the jerseys in half and sew together
• Wrangler jeans
• JETS baseball cap
• A face full of scruff
• Interrupt the party you are attending to announce your upcoming retirement; then interrupt everyone again an hour later to explain that you’ve changed your mind

    

Troy Polamalu

In a recent interview with GQ magazine, "Mad Men" beauty January Jones revealed that she’s considering dressing up as Pittsburgh Steelers safety, Troy Polamalu, for Halloween. And you can too.

• Here's what you'll need:
• Cher wig
• Steelers Hawaiian Shirt
• Yellow football pants
• Cleats

           

For the ladies who still want to keep it simple and sexy this year, check out some additional sporty options here.

Happy Halloween!

- Glam Gal - 

FANTASY FOOTBALL

It started out as a Superbowl Halftime special, but now the Lingerie Football League, or “LFL,” is back for its first full season. The LFL is no joke, as these women participate in all aspects of a typical NFL season including mini-camps, training-camps, regular season games, an all-star game and of course, a championship. Lingerie Bowl VII will take place on February 7^th.

The LFL features 10 teams, who are competing in a 20-week season, playing games at major arenas and stadiums. Teams including the “Dallas Desire,” “San Diego Seduction” and “Miami Caliente,” must make for some very interesting football, to say the least. The season kicked-off in September but there’s still plenty of time to catch the action. You can watch these pretty ladies playing 7-on-7 tackle football on Friday nights.

Even Hall of Fame NFL coach, Mike Ditka, has taken a stake in the league. And the LFL’s Friday Night Football broadcast team includes former ESPN analyst Sean Salisbury and Chicago Bulls play-by-play man Tom Dore. Maxim Hot 100 Winner, April Rose, will serve as a sideline reporter.

And the ladies will be playing in none other than lingerie. Well, more like a modified version of lingerie, with uniforms that include helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads, sports bras and VERY short shorts.

Check out some of the league’s rules:

• The LFL consists of two conferences, with one game played every Friday night
• The action takes place on a 50-yard playing field
• Teams play two 17-minute halves, with an 8 minute sudden death overtime (if needed)
• Here’s how the games are scored:
• Scoring touchdown = 6 pts.
• Conversion run or pass (2-yard line) = 1 pt.
• Conversion run or pass (5-yard line) = 2 pts.
• Safety = 2 pts.

Will you watch?

- Glam Gal - 

WHO'S HAUTE? THURSDAYS: CANDACE PARKER

Welcome to week two of Who’s Haute? Thursdays. For those of you who might have missed last week’s edition, here’s a quick recap. Each week, A Glam Slam will feature an athlete who is relevant both on and off the field, the ice or the court. A Glam Slam will highlight these athletes' relationships to their sport and their lifestyle away from the game.

Candace Parker shined in her days at the University of Tennessee. In 2008, she was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the L.A. Sparks and was the first woman in the WNBA to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player. Parker missed part of the 2009 season due to the birth of her first child (her husband is Boston Celtics forward, Shelden Williams). Just seven weeks after giving birth, Parker transitioned from diapers to dunks, leading her team all the way to the Western Conference finals. A starting forward and a super mom, Candace Parker does it all. 

It’s no surprise that Adidas chose Parker as the face of their recent “Me, Myself” campaign. The campaign encouraged women to share their “real stories of training struggles and successes.” This was a perfect fit for Parker, who demonstrates that you really can achieve the impossible.

Juggling a big-time career and a new family can take a toll on your looks, but Parker even manages to keep her fashion-sense in tact. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she revealed her off-court style. “I'm big on being comfortable, but still remaining fashionable. I love Rock & Republic jeans and I will sport an Affliction or Ed Hardy T-shirt. My latest fetishes are hats and my favorite store is Nordstrom or Arden B.” Parker even has dogs named Fendi and Prada!

Candace Parker is Who’s Haute. 

   

- Glam Gal - 

EVA AND TONY TAKE LONDON

London Fog, a brand best known for their trench coats and handbags, has announced that power couple Eva Longoria Parker and Tony Parker will appear in their new holiday 2009 campaign. The Desperate Housewives star and San Antonio Spurs starting point guard posed for a series of photos which showcased London Fog’s holiday collection of outerwear and accessories.

According to a press statement, “The Parkers were chosen for the London Fog campaign because they epitomize the modern, romantic and aspirational London Fog lifestyle.” This is the first time the couple worked together on a fashion campaign, but you would never know from the stunning photos.

Look out for the steamy ads, which will debut in December. And check out the behind the scenes footage of the beautiful pair here, as they cozied up for the shoot.

- Glam Gal - 

FASHIONS ON THE FIELD

Glam Gal is taking you across the globe, to Australia’s prestigious Myers Fashions on the Field competition. The competition has been traveling all over the country for the past year, with stops in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia, as part of an annual national tour in search of the most glamorous and stylish women in Australia. The winner of the Women’s Classic Racewear category will be chosen during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Australia’s most famous horse race. Each year, on the first Tuesday in November, “the race that stops a nation,” takes place at the Flemington Racecourse, and fashion is definitely at the forefront.

In an effort to encourage more women to visit the racecourse, the first Fashions on the Field competition was held over 40 years ago. The competition continues to gain popularity each year and attracts a growing number of high-class entrants who sport a variety of extravagant fashions. Participants are judged based on the following criteria:

• Appropriateness of the outfit for the Melbourne Cup Carnival and the individual  
• Attention to detail with accessories (i.e. ladies appropriate headwear is essential)
• Understanding and interpretation of the current fashion trends
• Grooming and deportment
• Suitability of the outfit for the climate

But the competition isn’t only for the ladies. There is also a one-day Men’s Racewear category competition, held on AAMI Victoria Derby Day, where hundreds of impeccably dressed male racegoers compete for the title. Additional categories also include Design and Millinery awards.

It seems the real attraction for racegoers are the fashions, not the horses. Take a peek at these amazing looks from the competition thus far:

  

- Glam Gal - 

CUSTOM COUTURE FOR GAMETIME

What better way to show your true team colors than with customized couture? Yes, you heard correctly. To look your best for the big game, you can now create your very own fashion-forward fangear. These great options will allow you to stand out in the crowd, in a good way.

Haute Fan Couture

Haute Fan Couture was developed by an FSU graduate with a “passion for fashion and football,” who wanted to create designs that would allow girls to show their team pride, and remain stylish while doing so. Provide your team colors (college or professional) and choose from a variety of styles to customize your very own gameday garb. These super cute dresses are fun for the game and perfect for a party.

Campus Couture

Campus Couture offers a wide variety of color and design options for tees, hoodies, sweats and totes. The Fall 09 collection features custom prints and even a little bling. For gametime gear, girls have been known to sew up their own creations, but now the work is done for you. Showing your school spirit has never been so stylish, as college girls all across the country can now sport these trendy looks.

Sporty Couture

Okay, so we wouldn’t exactly wear aprons to the game, but these sporty options are just too good to pass up. Kitchen Couture’s Sporty Couture Line allows you to customize an apron with your favorite team, from the NFL to the NBA, or even your local sporting team. This creative company will take your team tee and turn it into a feminine, adorable (and even reversible!) apron. Sporty Couture is perfect to wear to a tailgate or gameday party and an ideal choice for everyone from die-hard sports fans to soccer moms. 

- Glam Gal -