I once met Jace Lipstein at a Knicks Game.
He’s a lifelong, knowledgeable and passionate New Yorker and Knicks fan – the kind that makes The Garden the greatest place on Earth. He gave me a hat; it was a sample he created, ultimately produced and sold out almost instantly at the MSG Team Store. He told me, “Dreams do come true.” Little did I know there was so much more to his journey.
Lipstein is the man behind Grungy Gentleman — a men’s lifestyle brand made in New York for the New York lifestyle. The line is edgy, fashion forward and functional all at the same time. And while Grungy Gentleman has been making waves in the world of fashion for quite some time, the big news is that Lipstein’s exclusive collaboration with the Knicks and Rangers launches this weekend.
For a sneak peek at the collection, all of these photos were taken at Grungy Gentleman’s Runway Show on Thursday for New York Fashion Week. And guess who was front and center? The Knicks’ Justin Holiday and Mindaugas Kuzminskas, who traded in the hardwood for the catwalk.
Meanwhile, I tried my hand at modeling a custom made shirt from the line and I have to admit, trying to capture the right shot is sooooo much harder than it looks. I promise I won’t be dropping the mic anytime soon, but I’ve never had so much fun feeling totally out of my element.
Justin, Kuz and I all agreed that we’ll leave Zoolander for the models as we huddled backstage trying to break down how not to smile. Of course, Knicks fans know that’s nearly impossible for Kuz! In case you’re wondering, holding your jaw closed apparently helps. Give it a shot and let me know how it works out. The gents owned the floor though. They not only opened but closed the show.
It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly hard working New Yorkers are and Lipstein is rising to the top with some really dope sports gear. The Grungy Gentleman x Knicks x Rangers collection will be sold exclusively at the MSG Team Store. If your heading to the Cavaliers game, check it out or to order by phone, call 212-631-5390. Grab some gear and tag us on Instagram @rebeccahaarlow and @grungygentleman – we want to see your looks.
