A Glam Slam

FROM FOOTBALL TO FASHION FOR LIONEL MESSI

Fresh off his team's fifth place finish in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, top Argentine footballer, Lionel Messi, is re-focusing his priorities. Messi has often been touted as one of the best players of his generation with comparisons to the legendary Diego Maradona, but apparently that's not enough. Now he plans to conquer the world of fashion too, creating his own line of clothing. 

Messi's range will include high end clothing and accessories for men with the goal to open retail locations next summer. But in addition to clothing design, he hopes to enlist some big name players in sports, music and movies to help make the brand a success. These stars will be ambassadors to the brand in each major city around the globe. Messi's top picks include Jay-Z (NYC), David Beckham (LA) and Colin Farell (Dublin). They would join footballer Alessandro Nesta and rapper Lupe Fiaso who are already on board as ambassadors in Milan and Chicago. [The Sun]

According to Messi, "If we get all the names we are trying for, we can be the most famous and best men's fashion brand in the world." So not only is he blessed with the ability to play great football as well as good looks and an athletic frame, but now Messi could soon become the biggest new name in men's fashion. If only his girlfriend wasn't in the picture...

 

- Glam Gal -

ROLL OUT THE AURORAE MAT FOR THE ULTIMATE YOGA EXPERIENCE

Whether yoga is a huge part of your daily routine or you're just getting started, do it the right way. There's nothing worse than struggling through your workout, trying to find a position on your mat that doesn't result in back pain. And a faulty yoga mat can ruin your entire "zen" experience. Enter the Aurorae yoga mat. A Glam Slam received one to try and put it to the test. And it tested very positive.

The Aurorae mat is the perfect way to maximize your yoga routine and who wouldn't want to do that? You will get all the benefits of your workout because of the product's grip and comfort. Not only is it extra thick (1/4"), but it's also extra long to protect your knees and joints for a totally luxurious feel. With this mat there are no distractions - you can focus on your poses without any fuss.

  

In addition to the comfort factor, there is also an added fun factor. These mats are available in an assortment of vibrant colors. To personalize your routine even more, choose the color that best resembles your personality traits. Here are the Aurorae colors and what they mean: 

 

But one of the best parts of all? The $30.00 price tag. A great deal for such a great product. It's even multi-functional; it's so comfortable, you might consider using it for a post-yoga nap.

So if you're not a Yoga buff just yet, it's time to hop on the bandwagon. With Summer in full swing, it's the ideal way to tone up before you hit the beach. And A Glam Slam says roll out your Aururoe mat for a really great experience.

Now it's time to try it out for yourself. You can find the Aurorae yoga mat in A Glam Slam's OpenSky Shop. To purchase the Infinity black mat, Ocean blue mat or Hope pink mat, simply click on the "Buy Now" buttons below.

         

              

 

- Glam Gal -

FASHION POLICE: ESPY AWARDS EDITION

The Oscars of the sports world took place last night with a Red Carpet full of athletes turned fashionistas. The hottest sports superstars glammed it up, trading in their team uniforms for designer duds.

The 18th Annual ESPY Awards honored the best in sports over the past year. So its only fitting that A Glam Slam honor the best looks of the night. And call out some of the very worst. So here it is, Fashion Police: ESPY Awards Edition.

THE GOOD:

   

It was a great year for Olympic gold medalist, Evan Lysacek and Super Bowl champ and MVP, Drew Brees. And though Brees came out on top taking home the "Best Male Athlete" honors, both guys scored major points with their style. They kept it simple and sleek in their classic black and gray tuxes.

   

It's not often that we see Jenny Finch out of her softball uniform or Danica Patrick without her racing jumpsuit. But last night the girls took full advantage of their beautiful looks, opting for youthful, fun and on-trend minis that really showed off their athletic frames. 

 
 

These NFL superstars always impress on the field and last night they impressed on the Red Carpet. A white tux can be difficult to pull of but Jets cornerback, Darelle Revis, makes it look oh so cool. And Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, DeSean Jackson, ditched his jacket to show off a pinstriped vest and metallic tie. His shades helped to top off the casual, chic look.

 

The U.S. national soccer team received lots of recognition last night for their recent World Cup performance. And rightfully so. But in addition to their teamwork on the field, these guys were easily the best dressed team of the night. A variety of sleek suits and perfectly coiffed hair left the ladies swooning.

**Additional top fashion honors of the evening go to Jets quarterback, Marc Sanchez, Detroit Tigers pitcher, Armando Galarraga, Olympic speed skater, Apolo Ohno, NFL player, Terell Owens and former WNBA player, Lisa Leslie.

 THE BAD:

   

There's no denying that Lindsey Vonn and Dara Torres are remarkable female Olympians. But they both failed to take home gold with these style selections. Lindsey's matronly gown and hairdo really didn't do her justice. And Dara's flowy green dress and flat sandals make it seem like she's headed to the beach rather than the Red Carpet.

 

Here are two footballers that got it all wrong last night. Shaun Phillips, linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, is known to be a guy with a vested interest in fashion. But his red jacket and purple tie combo is a big mess. And Tennessee Titans running back, Chris Johnson, channeled Lil Wayne for the evening. A black leather jacket in 100 degree weather? A major fashion failure.

   

These ballers have made big news lately as Amare Stoudemire will be joining the NY Knicks next season and Chris Bosh will be part of the Miami Heat's new power trio. Hopefully living New York City, one of the world's most fashionable cities, will help Amare improve his off-court style. And as for Bosh, well he could certainly learn a thing or two about style from his new teammates, LeBron and D-Wade.

   

Perhaps two of the worst looks of the night belong to newly drafted NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow and Olympic snowboarder, Shaun White. Tim's head-to-toe pastel look paired with dark shoes is a major no-no. Shaun White's got a style unlike anyone else and we appreciate that. But those pants are so tight even the ladies were uncomfortable. 

FASHION FACE-OFF: THE LADIES OF ESPN

   

 

The lovely ladies of ESPN, sideline reporter, Erin Andrews, SportsNation co-host, Michelle Beadle and SportsCenter anchor, Hannah Storm, hit the Red Carpet last night to talk to the athletes about their style choices. But what about their own fashions? All three ladies looked gorgeous but top honors go to Michelle. She gave fans a preview of her look via the twitpic above; the orange ruched dress with plunging neckline definitely gave her a leg up on the competition.

For the full list of ESPY winners, check here.

- Glam Gal -

STELLA MCCARTNEY TO DESIGN GB KITS FOR LONDON 2012 GAMES

We are only 744 days away from the 2012 Summer Olympics. And one of the first orders of business? The Olympic fashions of course.

Stella McCartney is a British fashion designer. In addition to her ready-to-wear collections, she has now been tapped as the Creative Director for Adidas to design the GB kits for the 2012 Olympic Games. The brand has provided the British team's outfits since 1984 and this is a huge honor for the designer, especially since London is the host city. 

McCartney is no stranger to activewear design or working with Adidas. She has collabored with the sportswear giant over the past few years on successful lines of on-trend activewear called Adidas by Stella McCartney. Ranging from tennis and golf to cycling and running, she has been instrumental in developing designs for sports enthusiasts that are both fashion-forward and functional. She has also outfitted athletes including Danish tennis star, Caroline Wozniacki, who has showcased McCartney's designs at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. 

Stella's experience in the world of activewear design makes her an ideal choice for the Olympic Games. She understands the importance of merging the worlds of fashion and sports, which is what has made her partnership with Adidas so successful thus far.

And it's is not just the athletes that will get to wear the fashionable sports gear; there will also be a range of fangear to match. While there's no guarantee that the British will win gold, its safe to say that they'll look really good trying.

    

 

- Glam Gal -

REMEMBERING THE BOSS...AND HIS TURTLENECKS

The sports world experienced a major loss today as NY Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, passed away. He was a man that many loved and many loved to hate but there's no denying that his mark on the game of baseball is indellible.

In the words of his family, "He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again."  We can expect to see countless tributes in the coming weeks that will pay homage to George and his legacy. But in true A Glam Slam fashion, we will honor George in a different way, as we take a look as his iconic style.

The NY Yankees will forever be synonymous with the classic navy and white pinstripes, just as George will forever be associated with his trademark navy blazer and white turtleneck combo. His favorite accessory, other than a pompous grin, was of course his aviators. Not to mention those 7 World Series rings.

And while we don't often look at turtlenecks as an overly masculine article of clothing, somehow George made them appear powerful and even a bit scary. 

Let's take a look back at the "Steinbrenner style" that we'll always remember:

 

 

 

 

In addition to his own iconic style, George is responsible for the "Yankee dress code" that has helped to maintain the pride and tradition of baseball's most storied franchise. And Yankee players and fans will be forever grateful. While the rest of the sports world has embraced a myriad of home, away, alternate, throwback and Sunday jerseys, George has stayed true to the Yankee heritage.

Although patches are added to commemorate milestones, special events and passings, the Yankee uniform has remained the same since 1936. George kept its look in tact, keeping only the players' numbers on the back, without their name. So many Yankee greats have worn pinstripes in that fashion and many more can now continue to do the same.

 

 

Along with the consistency in the uniforms, the often controversial ban on long hair and facial hair for the Bronx Bombers also remains in tact. The rule had tansformed players like Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon and Randy Johnson into clean-cut Yankees. The Yankees are currently the only team to enforce this policy and that's all due to George. 

So here's to a true baseball icon and an unexpected fashion icon. We'll miss you Boss.

 - Glam Gal -

CHANEL DIVES INTO SPORTY TIMEPIECES

A Glam Slam loves any excuse to talk about Chanel. And when it involves a sports connection, well that's even better.

The Parisian fashion house has launched their first ever men's diving watch. The brand teamed up with Laird Hamilton, American big wave surfer, to create the J-12 Marine, the latest addition to the existing J-12 line. The watch is waterproof up to 300 meters, features glow-in-the-dark numbers and hands, and has a rubberized strap that allows water to flow through. [WWD]

But on top of its performance enhancing features, this timepiece boasts a fashion-forward, yet masculine design. Available in a black band with a black or blue face or a white band with a white face, all options are ultra sleek. 

Hamilton can attest to the fact that this timepiece is a great for surfers, noting that its ability to stay securely on his arm when he's getting banged around on his surfboard is its best attribute. And since we are talking Chanel, you know a hefty price tag is soon to follow. The watch will set you back $4700 (for the 38 mm) and $4900 (for the 42 mm). But it's a walk in the park as compared to Rafael Nadal's $525,000 Richard Mille watch, which did win him the French Open. Ah, the price to pay to become a champion.

Check them out:

   

 
 
 - Glam Gal -

SHAUN WHITE'S DEBUT SHOE COLLECTION HITS TARGET

Though he's most often characterized by his curly, bright red locks, Shaun White definitely knows a thing or two about style. Not only has he mastered the "skater" look, but he's even got the designing process down pat.

After a memorable gold medal Olympic performance in Vancouver this past February, White is one of the most sought after "extreme athletes." He already has a successful line of clothing for Target, which features graphic tees, hoodies, jeans and polos. And now to compliment that collection, White has designed a line of skate-inspired shoes.

The debut collection of kicks will include 6 in-store styles, 3 for boys and 3 for young men, as well as 2 online exclusives for each. The shoes successfully infuse the hip and cool style often assoicated with extreme sports enthusiasts, while still remaining practical for wearers. 

Action sports lines are going colorful these days and these sneakers are no exception. Not only are White's new creations totally affordable, but they incorporate the vibrant personality of the snowboarder and his love of travel and music. The line features a variety of colorways including electric blue, maroon, black and gray with reasonable prices ranging from $27.99 - $34.99. But Shaun did have some help; he worked with his brother Jesse who acts as creative director on this shoe line. 

The debut collection of shoes hits Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com this week. Here's a preview:

 

 
 
 

 - Glam Gal -

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: SPAIN

It's often said "may the best team win"... and this time they did.

One month, 7 games and 8 goals later, Spain was crowned the 2010 FIFA World Cup champion. After an early and shocking loss in round one to Switzerland, many did not predict an ending like this.

The final match against the Netherlands was a bit sloppy, with countless missed opportunities on both sides. After a scoreless 90 minutes followed by a scoreless first 15 minute overtime, midfielder Andres Iniesta scored the goal that would award Spain the coveted World Cup trophy. And to make things even sweeter, this also marked the first World Cup win in the country's history, despite being the best team in the world over the last few years. 

Congrats Spain! You can pick up your Spain World Cup Champions gear here.

 

But Spain was not only the best because of their play on the field. They were also the best dressed group of footballers, at least as far as A Glam Slam is concerned. Their bright red jerseys with subtle yellow stripes and blue shorts and matching socks win top uniform honors. Here's a look:

 

 - Glam Gal - 

WHO'S HAUTE? THURSDAYS: IKER CASILLAS

Iker Casillas is a football goalie who plays for the Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and serves as the captain of the Spanish national team. He's been touted as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and continues to gain a great reputation for his play. Still considered to be a young goalkeeper, Casillas is poised to become one of the all-time best. And a World Cup win would certainly solidify his place in a long, impressive line of Spanish goalkeeping greats. The Captain has led his team to the finals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where Spain will take on the Netherlands this Sunday.

But Casillas' World Cup run did not come without controversy. His off-field personal life made it onto the field. The goalie is currently dating Spanish model and TV sideline reporter, Sara Carbonero, who often has to interview her boyfriend following his games. And after Spain's shocking loss to Switzerland in the opening round, the beautiful sportscaster was blamed when fans accused her of being a distraction to her boyfriend. Luckily the pair has the last laugh as Spain is now headed to the finals. 

As if his football success and gorgeous girlfriend aren't enough, People magazine has also dubbed Casillas "the next big thing." And that's not just because of his skills on the field. With his good looks and sense of style, fashion houses are starting to take notice. Spanish designer, Christian Cota, believes Casillas has the potential to be turned into a 'brand' much like Beckham or Ronaldo. He might not be a familiar name in the U.S. just yet, but keep an eye out for this sexy soccer star.

Iker Casillas is Who's Haute.

    

 
 - Glam Gal - 
 

SHAKIRA & CAVALLI WILL CLOSE THE WORLD CUP IN STYLE

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will have a very fashionable finish. Shakira will perform the World Cup anthem, "Waka-Waka," during the Closing Ceremony of the games on Sunday. And she'll do so in a special World Cup couture creation from Roberto Cavalli.

While her tribal themed Opening Ceremony look was certainly memorable, Cavalli's new design is definitely a show-stopper. The sexy star will take the stage in a two-piece, belly baring ensemble. The bold, brightly-colored, exotic look will pay homage to South Africa as it embodies African style and culture. Design components will include a tulle top embroidered with multicolor pearls and a silk fringed skirt including both floral and animal prints [People StyleWatch]. A denim belt with pearls and leather bracelets are the finishing touches that will accessorize this look.

Football fans and fashionistas, with an outfit like this, you won't want to miss Shakira's performance. Here's a preview:

 

 - Glam Gal -