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Russell Westbrook is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers as well as a fashion entrepreneur.
Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Westbrook's prowess as a standout point guard led to a glittering career in the NBA with teams including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers. He is a nine-time NBA All-Star and was named as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2016-17 season.
Westbrook has drawn both admiration and criticism for his love of fashion and expressive personal style off the court, creating media moments during the NBA’s pre-game "tunnel walk" and subverting typical perceptions of how male athletes should dress. In 2022 he made headlines for the custom Thom Browne look he wore to the Met Gala that featured a suit jacket, top hat and a full length tailored skirt.
In 2017, Westbrook founded Honor The Gift, an LA-based mens- and womenswear brand. As of autumn 2023, the label operates its own Los Angeles flagship store and its clothing is stocked at over 13 retailers including Selfridges, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. Westbrook — who oversees core functions of the business including design, marketing and operations — has presented the brand's spring collection during Paris men's fashion week since June 2022.
Honor The Gift was not Westbrook’s first foray into the world of design. In 2015, Russell Westbrook partnered with high-end retailer Barneys to build a fashion line called Russell Westbrook XO, under which he co-designed clothing and accessories with established labels, including Public School and Nike’s Jordan brand.
Westbrook's off-court success is part of a growing trend of athletes expanding their influence into the world of business and fashion, investing their money into creative ventures of their own, rather than simply penning endorsement or licensing deals.
