Kobe Bryant's Stylist Explains "Iconic" LA Times Fashion Editiorial

Kobe Bryant's all-white and heavily Photoshopped fashion editorial for the Sunday Los Angeles Times Magazine has elicited a largely visceral and mocking reaction. That's okay, explains stylist James Valeri. We were going for an "iconic" look.

"The scarf picture and the hat picture were more to create an iconic image. When you do a portrait, you do think of the styling in how they're going to be different and how they're going to stand out. In 10 years time, or five years time, there has to be something particular or strange or different that will stand out. That image will stay in your mind. That's how it's going to become iconic. ... A lot of people aren't used to that, so when iconic pictures come out, they're disturbing, insulting, fascinating, it has a strong feeling attached to it, good or bad."

Pilgrim hat and headband? "Inspired" by Tupac.

"I didn't want to use accessories that would look too retro. Let's do it in a cool, young way because that's what Kobe is. He's a cool, young and successful athlete. I wanted to give a modern approach. I was thinking of [rapper] Tupac [Shakur] where I put a band underneath in the hat to make it look hip-hop, but ... it translates in a surreal look where it creates a strong image. It was something that hasn't been done before. It's mixing the inspiration of Tupac and a gentleman with a white hat ... a mix of a hip-hop and a conservative look."

On the plus side: Valeri says the on-the-court basketball diva was no diva behind-the-scenes. Kobe was the "perfect gentlemen" and they spoke Italian on the set.

Read the photo-by-photo explanation ...

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Comments

[Cafflo]

Just another excuse to post these pics LOL Rod u a mess!

[Daniel Warhol]

Iconic my ass...he looks like a gay harriet tubman

[sonofabutch]

Please...! More like iconic, how YOU durrin'?

[Freeman]

Cafflo, I was thinking the same thing, Rod is a mess on the sly lol

[The Truth]

This photoshoot was a amn mess.

[TheRevKev]

WOW, I didn't know it took THAT many words to say "I SCREWED UP!"

[Honut Sinti]

Uh, Kobe honey, baby, sweet cakes, pookie, munchkin, child...come here.

Now, listen to your Aunt Ollie Mae...I don't want to hurt your feelings as I know you want to explore yourself...but...this ain't working for 'ya sugar. Now take that stuff off and go on home.

[Jim]

LOL @ Honut Sinti

I'm a million miles removed from the world of fashion shoots, but seriously: Doesn't someone with Kobe's power and clout get to approve the clothes they put on him and the photos taken of him?

It's not like he needs more exposure to build up his brand. It's not like he needs the cash. He must have signed off on this. So how can this all be blamed only on the stylist or the photographer?

Besides, Bayard Rustin was a Quaker. I kind of like Quakers.

[Rod Mc]

These comments are funny, y'all making me laugh. The stylist said Kobe signed off on all these photos, which is standard procedure for a celebrity of that magnitude. Kobe likes this look. (shrugs) -RM

[KP]

Actually, I don't think the outfits are terrible, though they are not to my personal taste. They did make him look like he's wearing what we used to call pancake souffle make-up, though, and that's not cute.

[Nikita]

Kobe and the Lakers can go to hell!

[nahtans]

I agree the clothes are ok, the all white look can work but the styling is off and most importantly Kobe does not look RELAXED OR COMFORTABLE..... he is not smizing ( as Tyra would say) at all.
The photographer seems lost.

[Ryan]

Kobe signed off on these Rod?! then Kobe needs to get his head check cause this ashy, Male Aunt Jemima look he's giving is a MASSIVE FAIL!

Then again, I've never thought of Kobe as being cognizant OR aware of much of anything..so, on second thought, he WOULD sign off on these and assume they were "hot" when they are SO NOT.

[Osiris]

Are Kobe and Shaq still beefing? I can definitely see these pictures being put on the wide screen during a game to thunderous laughter from the fans...