Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon, one of the standout players in the NBA, goes from making some rather suggestive moves on-the-court to making some moves behind the scenes in the fashion industry. Gordon is well-known for his tasteful fashion aesthetic and gets his fashionista on for ESPN: The Magazine. The baller spends the day and camps it up with Simon Doonan, the Barney's creative director and husband to designer and Bravo personality Jonathan Adler.
"I have a European fashion sense," Gordon tells Doonan. "I love the fine tailoring and the fit."
AFTER THE JUMP, via Rod 2.0 reader FF, watch the video and a few more photos. And despite the many stereotypes, how freakin' cool is it that a black professional ball player appreciates fashion and can glam and camp it up with fashion's power gays?
Simon Doonan tells ESPN: "Ben has a good eye and an attention to detail, so I'm sure he could make the transition. Just tell him to quit trying to steal my job."
Ben Gordon is seem below with Doonan and GQ Editor in Chief Jim Nelson, and, with GQ Creative Director Jim Moore.
gawd his smile is so sexy
Posted by: Antoine | 29 June 2009 at 16:13
I know that Simon was lovin' this day. Who wouldn't love having Ben Gordon around? It's great when the jocks show a completely different side.
Posted by: chris | 29 June 2009 at 16:26
I love it! I love it! I love it!
He should have his own TV show!
Posted by: Kevjack | 29 June 2009 at 16:30
Love to see men, regardless of sexual orientation, share mutual respect for one another.
Miss Simon was glowing. I'm not mad. Ben is dead hot. His ease around Simon added to his appeal.
Posted by: Chaz | 29 June 2009 at 16:30
He and Dhani Jones should have a show together.
Call it, "Baller Fashion, Top to Bottom."
Posted by: seahawk | 29 June 2009 at 18:13
i second what Antoine said.
i need to see some more revealing pics of my man Ben....maybe Rod can stalk him when the Bulls are back in town..lol
Posted by: ff | 29 June 2009 at 19:16
>>>He and Dhani Jones should have a show together. Call it, "Baller Fashion, Top to Bottom."
Okay! That's what I am tallking about!
Love this story, love a sexy masculine man secure with his sexuality and fashion.
Posted by: Faison | 29 June 2009 at 19:51
That's good fun.
When you live amongst the greedheads and the Christians and the psycho-killers, it's nice to be reminded once in a while that not EVERYTHING in the world is dreadful.
Posted by: Jim | 30 June 2009 at 00:11
Good post Rod. Thank you.
I would be remiss however if I did not respond to Jim’s comment lumping Christians with “greedheads” and psycho-killers. I believe that statements like this are uncalled for.
In spite of the travesties that men (and woman) have committed in the name of God and the Christian religion, the faith brings great joy to the billions around the world who believe in its true message of love, grace, redemption, and yes TOLERANCE.
So while it is not my intent to start a controversy, it IS my intent to state my intense fury as a result of Jim’s statement and its acceptance, unchallenged, on this great blog. I can’t imagine such a statement being unmoderated if it was made with respect to Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism or any other major religion.
The way that Christianity is practiced is definitely not without fault, but Christianity is my religion and I defend it here and now, in this instance, without apology.
Posted by: R.O. | 30 June 2009 at 11:09
R.O.
I am going to stand up with you PROUDLY in this instance. Jim, I am hopeful and hope-filled that that wasn't your intention, but I wouldn't dare speak for you. I will, like R.O., defend my religion as one of love, tolerance, hope and help. Just because some people don't do it well doesn't discredit the religion, just as some people not doing Black well (HELLO B.E.T.) doesn't discredit my race and some people not doing Gay well (HELLO PEREZ HILTON) doesn't discredit my orientation.
Having said that, I love that we are FINALLY arriving at a society where we have asked, begged and told me to evolve and they have and can do so without (too much) prejudice or snickering. This brother has simply VERBALIZE (in a very articulate way) what MOST of hip-hop glorifies in its music of late. He has learned details and points about fashion, so he isn't just buying designer labels (HELLO GAYS), he's aware of cut and form, fabric and fit (HELLO GAYS!). I am proud to see this and I am sure that in his interaction with fashion, he's happened upon many a queen who wondered why he was there and what the T was, but when they talked to him they realized that he had a real passion for fashion and they learned to respect him. He, in turn, in journeying into a world that we (HI GAYS) rule had to learn acceptance and openness, which is something hopefully he learned from wonderful home training.
I would love (SERIOUSLY) to see him interview Andre Leon Talley. He would be his favorite gay uncle and have Ben Gordon be sharps as a nail, since he passed tack a long time ago!
BRAVO BEN GORDON. Talk about career transition! DO YOUR THING!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 30 June 2009 at 17:06
AND P.S.
Who BETTER to be champions in the world of fashion than Black men! I mean we are the original peacocks!!!
Think about your old neighborhood, a church or some Black gathering. The men try to outdo the women sometimes!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 30 June 2009 at 17:11