Fashion Touchdown! Designers Talk Sports & Super Bowl Parties at the CFDA’s NFL Event
Betsey Johnson at the CFDA/NFL party. Photo: Getty Images
It isn’t known yet which teams will be playing in Super Bowl 50, but the hype around the big event is starting to reach a fever pitch. Especially when the chatter takes place at NFL headquarters where the Council of Fashion Designers of America threw a party on Wednesday night to celebrate the fifty footballs that were decorated by different designers. Siki Im made one out of Legos, Marchesa’s was covered in what looked like couture-quality beading, and Stacy Bendet’s Alice + Olivia pigskin was a giant bedazzled face. All are available for auction at NFL.com to benefit the NFL Foundation. “It’s a classic mash-up, fashion and football. Two pop-culturally significant businesses,” CFDA President Steven Kolb told Yahoo Style. “The designers really had fun with this. And look at how much athletes have started to be interested in fashion!”
Sure, countless athletes like Victor Cruz or Serena Williams have whole-heartedly dived head first into the fashion world. But what do designers have to say about their own experiences with sports?
Kolb played football for a number of years growing up, apparently. “I didn’t play very well though,” he joked. “I probably played because my father wanted me to. I played peewee football and was the center. And as a freshman in high school I played a guard - a position that requires a big, bulky guy which I am not. The only time I really played was when the other team was winning by a lot and putting me in wouldn’t screw anything up!”
Rachel Roy and Dascha Polanco at the CFDA/NFL party. Photo: Getty Images
Billy Reid, too, played football. “Was I any good? I would like to think I was the star of the team. I was the captain, but maybe not the star. I was a good leader and motivator on the field.”
Fashion’s sweetheart Tanya Taylor was very honest about the extent of her relationship with football. “I’m not the biggest football fan, but I love the enthusiasm of the people who are. And I totally watch the Super Bowl just for the half-time show.” But it’s not like she was never athletic! The designer played volleyball, field hockey and rugby growing up. “I was never any good at rugby,” said Taylor. “I just can’t hit someone very hard!”
That’s not to say that fashion’s designers aren’t sporty - quite the contrary. Jodie Snyder Morel and her sister Danielle Snyder said that in a past life they were a hurdles jumper and pole vaulter, respectively. And Jennifer Fisher was, believe it or not, a figure skater. “Can you believe it! I had the most beautiful costumes made in the garment district here in New York. So growing up I was a ballet dancer and a figure skater. Very random!”
And as far as throwing the perfect Super Bowl party, David Hart recommended investing in some quality spirits to sip on during the game — he prefers Japanese whiskies. And no matter what you’re drinking, Billy Reid takes a practical approach: “The party is all about making one dish, like jambalaya or gumbo. That way you don’t spend too much time fixing a big spread and missing any of the game. That’s our thing, the one dish meal. One and done.”
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