Image courtesy of Wunderlich Kaplan Communications
New York City is the best place stateside when it comes to embracing the ever-changing landscape of fashion and its rich ties to sports. Last month, Starter, an iconic name known worldwide within the sports apparel industry, worked in collaboration with Major League Baseball for the re-release of the legendary Bronx Bubble Jacket, which paved the way for changing the entire sports apparel industry since its original launch in 1971. The celebration and anticipation for this re-release came just in time for the recent Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees and the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
Carl Banks, a former NFL linebacker whose teams included the New York Giants, was in attendance, as he’s president of the G-III Sports apparel group, which includes Starter. Banks spoke with Fashion Reverie about the importance of the release and the true significance of the jacket through its rich city history.
Image courtesy of Wunderlich Kaplan Communications
“The creation of the Bronx Bubble was done 30 years ago in the ‘90s,” Banks told Fashion Reverie. “This was the iconic jacket that the Yankees wore during their championship run in the ‘90s. And this is a true story: the late great George Steinbrenner would not allow his team to take the field without wearing a Starter jacket, and so this jacket that he mandated for his team became the Bronx Bubble Jacket. The Yankees were winning and that made the jacket so incredibly iconic.”
This new collaboration debuted last month at the MLB NYC Flagship Store. The event featured a performance from Yonkers legend Jadakiss, a popular member of Ruff Ryders Entertainment. Ruff Ryders iconic members also include DMX and Swizz Beatz.
Image courtesy of honeysucklemagazine.com
At the event, DJ Funk Flex was seen spinning nostalgic hits during the preview of the Bronx Bubble Jacket release. Guests had first access to the presale, which included fun installations through the store. The MLB Flagship was transformed into a Starter pop-up where celebrities and guest influencers could score a jacket of their own. The bubble jacket comes in gold, silver, and blue colors.
With inspiration drawn from its original launch, the Starter licensing deal with the MLB connects fans to the team and players they follow with the iconic Starter S and star logo. Per their release, Starter recognizes that sport is “more than the game; it is a state of mind, a shared spirit, and a life-long bond.” This jacket brings the city together to represent the pride city dwellers have for their favorite teams from Queens and the Bronx in a showdown enriched by city heritage.
The Bronx Bubble redux is a reminder we can continue to bring back the rich sports history of one of the most iconic cities in the world by giving new generations of fans a small piece of history. Especially considering New York City has embraced the jacket through sports and music, as well as fashion. A Bronx Bubble Jacket and Yankees hat pairing is a combination that holds the city together like a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel. Now, you cannot get anymore New York City than that!!
Image courtesy of Wunderlich Kaplan Communications
At $300, the jacket is available for purchase at Starter.com, the MLB NYC Flagship Store and specialty retailers across the country in November.
Ryan Salfino
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