JOHN MCENROE, TOMMY ROBREDO, JIM COURIER AND FEW OTHER PRO RACQUET STASHES AT RPNY
As the players take the court at the Wimbledon Championships now underway, it’s hard to miss the massive tennis bags slung over their shoulders, packed with the multiple racquets they will use throughout the match. Individually wrapped in clear plastic bags, you might notice an RPNY logo printed on the side. Each racquet is exactly the same, with absolutely no variation, and likely has been customized to precise specifications by a man named Roman Prokes.
Tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript building on East 51st street in Manhattan is RPNY – the secret weapon of the pros and any other tennis player who wants to feel like one. Owned and run by Roman Prokes, 55 years old and originally from the Czech Republic, RPNY has been open since 2002. Prokes has been customizing and stringing tennis racquets since 1991 for such players as John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Tommy Robredo and Andre Agassi, just to name a few, and these same services are available to anyone who wants the perfect racquet to better their game. Read More
The NYC Pride Parade is this Sunday, June 26, with kickoff events taking place all week long. This annual demonstration and celebration, of not just gay but civil rights, is symbolized by the rainbow flag that waves for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride. This year its meaning is more poignant than ever with the parade marching just two weeks after the nightclub massacre in Orlando, FL. With that we show our love, support and pride loudly in all the colors of the rainbow.
ROW 1: NO KA’OI HONI RAINBOW STRIPE SPORTS BRA $105. This gray sports bra is offset with neon rainbow stripes on the outside, combined with a moisture wicking with a supportive fit on the inside. MILLY RAINBOX BOX CLUTCH $295. This fun rainbow clutch features vertical stripes on one side and horizontal on the other to brighten up any outfit. MARY KATRANZOU HYDRA SWEATER now $465. Display your rainbow colors with style with this silky ribbed body hugging sweater. ANYA HINDMARCH RAINBOW LEATHER BACKPACK now $1687. This luxuriously soft leather backpack is as functional as it is stylish, with room to tote all your daily essentials and a big embossed rainbow to put a smile on your face.
ROW 2: MARTONE CYCLING STEP THROUGH BICYCLE $1200. Turquoise, purple, red, green, blue… Martone bicycles come in an assortment of rainbow colors, all highlighted by a signature red chain. Light, durable and very stylish, they feature a SRAM 2-gear automatic hub that requires no gear shifting for easy and enjoyable riding. NIKE POWER SPEED RUNNING CAPRIS $110. With a compressive fit and screen-printed pattern to support key muscles, these rainbow highlighted running capris also feature high-stretch Dri-FIT fabric, zip pocket on back, and reflective details for performance with style.
ROW 3: AMERICAN APPAREL RAINBOW LOOP TERRY HEADBAND $6. Show your sporty pride retro style with this old school rainbow headband. SOLANGE CINDARELLA RAINBOW RING. This gorgeous eternity ring is set on three sides with a rainbow of diamonds, pink sapphires and precious stones set in blackened 18ct white gold. For more info: newyork@solange.co.uk. NUTCASE RAINBOW SKYBIKE HELMET $69.99. Dual-certified for both bike and skate, this is the helmet that fits your head and suits your soul. Durable ABS shell with EPS inner foam lining, signature one-handed magnetic buckle, 11 vents for cooling, and adjustable spin dial guarantee a snug, protective and comfortable fit. TARGET RAINBOW STRIPED BEACH TOWEL FOR TWO $16.99. Rain or shine, soak up the sun on this rainbow stripe beach towel. It’s cotton terry sheared for extra comfort, and at 56″x 72″ has room for two.
CLOCKWISE TOP LEFT: THE 2016 NBA DRAFT AT THE BARCLAYS CENTER; TISSOT NBA PRC 200 WATCH GIFTED TO EACH PLAYER DRAFTED IN ROUND ONE; WATCH BEING ENGRAVED WITH NUMBER THE PLAYER WAS DRAFTED; NO. 6 PICK BUDDY HIELD; TISSOT NBA QUICKSTER QUARTZ CHRONOGRAPHS.
The Barclays Center hosted the 2016 NBA Draft Thursday evening, filled to capacity with a raucous crowd of fans exploding as each new player was selected for their team. As predicted by most, Ben Simmons was the No.1 pick, going to the Philadelphia 76ers; followed by Brandon Ingram at No. 2 selected by the LA Lakers; and Jaylen Brown at No.3 going to the Boston Celtics.
Swiss watchmakers Tissot, the Official Timekeeper of the NBA, gifted each first round draft pick with a personalized Tissot NBA PRC 200 watch, and on the spot engraved the caseback with the players name and number drafted. While these newly inducted players into the NBA will likely change teams over the course of their careers, the number they were selected in the draft will never change. These same watches are available for sale on NBAStore.com and tissotwatches.com.
Also are available are a fun collection of NBA themed watches, the Tissot Quickster Quartz Chronograph. With their bright multi-striped bands that match the team colors of 10 different teams in the league –including recent NBA Champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers — basketball fan or not, at $395 these watches make the perfect summer accessory.
The Hawaiian or “Aloha” shirt has been a cultural icon of the Hawaiian Islands and surf history for than 75 years. Still as popular as ever, collectors on eBay and at New York auction houses are paying thousands of dollars for a single shirt that cost less than a dollar in 1935. Now a half-billion-dollar-a-year industry, the Aloha shirt holds its legacy as a palpable symbol of Hawaii’s “Aloha Spirit.”
The newly updated edition of The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands (Patagonia Books) by Dale Hope is the complete book on the most enduring souvenir ever invented. It recounts the colorful stories behind these marvelous shirts celebrating the waterman culture and lifestyle, lavishly illustrated with hundreds of full color images, vintage black-and-white photos, and priceless examples of period “Hawaiiana.”
JOE QUIGG, MATT KIVLIN, TOM ZAHN RETURNING HOME AFTER A SURF TRIP TO HAWAII, 1947,
PHOTO: JOE QUIGG COLLECTION
First developed in the early 1930s as a “tourist attraction,” Aloha shirts have their roots in the graphic prints and comfortable clothing that South Seas islanders have been wearing for hundreds of years. Around 1935, a small group of clothing manufacturers in Honolulu began to produce these wildly colorful, “air-conditioned” short-sleeved shirts for tourists that would give them an immediate sense of relaxation, and going “Hawaiian.” The shirts were considered “postcards you can wear.” Read More
As athletes, we are always on the quest for the latest innovation in sports medicine to prevent injuries from taking us out of the game. One of this editor’s go to resources is Duke Chiropractic, which offers full service sports rehabilitation. The latest innovation we discovered there is called “EPAT” or “Radial Shockwave Therapy.” EPAT stands for Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology, and is one of the most advanced and highly effective non-invasive treatments for neuromuscular disorders approved by the FDA.
In an overuse injury of a muscle or tendon, when we experience pain it is usually a result of inflammation. The body’s natural response is to create scar tissue to help heal the area, but according to Dr. Scott Duke of Duke Chiropractic, scar tissue reduces mobility, it is very weak and tears, and leads to the formation of more scar tissue and more pain. Probably most critical is that it lacks the blood supply to nourish and heal the injured area.
Enter EPAT, a regenerative treatment for tendon, muscle and bone disorders. Through a pneumatically controlled hand piece, compressed air produces a shockwave that delivers thousands of impulses deep within the tissue. These high frequency pressure waves feel like rapid fire zaps, and stimulate the body’s own reparative reaction, to enhance blood circulation and accelerate the healing process. Says Dr. Duke, ”With EPAT we can literally destroy scar tissue and help regenerate new tissue within the joint that prior to EPAT was too deep for our hands to reach.”
EPAT can be used to treat many painful soft tissue injuries, including Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, acute and chronic muscle pain and other conditions. At Duke Chiropractic they also use EPAT to treat frozen shoulder, post operative rotator cuff injuries, and even hip and knee replacements where scar tissue limits mobility and causes pain.
Radial Shockwave Therapy can also help the body produce more collagen — the protein that helps give tendons and ligaments their structure. There is an analgesic effect as well that can provide immediate pain relief. But probably the best news for athletes is that patients can continue activities immediately after treatment. There is no down time for those of us for whom there is nothing worse than being sidelined by a nagging injury.
Just a couple months from now, all eyes will be on Rio and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Gymnastics is one of the marquee and most anticipated sports of the Games. Every four years the world focuses their attention on a group of young girls from a host of nations, competing for that coveted gold medal, as both a team and individuals. It is the time between Olympics, however, when gymnasts toil in relative obscurity, working towards their goal. By the time these kids get to the Games, still just teenagers, they will have spent countless hours of their young lives in the gym, training for this moment, with millions watching, on the biggest sport stage in the world.
My 11-year old niece, Ellie, is a competitive gymnast, training with her teammates Talia, Sophie, Sophia, Gia, Abby, Daisy, Cassie, Hannah, Willa, CeCe, Cecily, Charlotte, Amelia and Galena on the NYC Elite team. Ellie competed in Level 6 last season. Each level is designated 1 through 10 by the US Gymnastics Association and characterized by increasingly difficult skill requirements. With her teammates, Ellie is looking to move up to Level 7 or 8 next year. With three gym locations in Manhattan, NYC Elite is considered the best team in New York City and is the only structured developmental gymnastics program in town. The girls are handpicked to be members of the team.
For those of you who follow the Style Of Sport Instagram, you might have noticed I’m amazed/obsessed by Ellie and her crew. She is what I dream and pretend to be… a real “athlete.” Watching her evolve into this level of gymnast, performing the moves I could never imagine any relative of mine being able to do, is mind blowing, but what’s most impressive is the time and dedication it takes.
Last season, Ellie and her teammates trained 4 hours a day, 4 days a week. This coming year the commitment goes up to 20 hours, which means every day after school, from 4pm to 8pm, they will be in the gym training; not just practicing their events, but doing all-around conditioning as well. When practice is done, they will go home to eat dinner, do their homework and sleep. It’s a schedule not so different from a professional athlete, except they are not professionals, they are little girls. They have a saying at NYC Elite: If gymnastics were easy, they would call it football.
There are 5 spots on the Olympic Gymnastics team for Rio 2016 — a decrease from the previous 6. For Tokyo 2020 it is being reduced again to 4. Given how many great gymnasts there are and how few spots there are on the team, it is a long shot for any of these girls to make the Olympic team in 2020, but their commitment at such a young age is what makes them contenders. Read More
Father’s Day is June 19th and we’ve got some great gift ideas in the STYLE of SPORT Shop at HUCKBERRY. For that outdoor loving Dad, who’s happy just chillin’ on a summer day too, here are a few of our favorite things he’s sure to love — and at great prices for you!
TOP ROW: GARRETT LEIGHT HAMPTON 46$285 $189.98. With Oliver Peoples in its style lineage (Garrett’s father Larry is the founder), it’s not surprising Garrett Leight is the hot new eyewear line. The Hampton sunglasses are a cool classic — perfect for any stylish Dad. BROOKS ENGLAND FLYER SADDLE $150. Inspired by their legendary 1927 model, Brooks England’s Flyer Saddle is a coveted modern classic. Designed for comfort no matter the distance, its leather top combines with extra suspension granted by two big shock absorbing rear springs.
ROW 2: GROWLER WORKS UKEG $139 $118.98. For that beer lovin’ Dad who digs a cold frosty brew, this 64 oz. pressurized mini keg lets him pour perfect pub-quality pints right from the fridge. It keeps beer cold and fresh for weeks — at home or on the go. TODD SNYDER X CHAMPION POCKET SWEATSHIRT$98 $78.98. This collaboration between hip menswear designer Todd Snyder and the iconic Champion has yielded a classic collection of activewear that combines quality construction with a modern fit and style. CHEEKY 550 PLIERS $89. These fisherman pliers are the perfect choice for river or ocean, and come with a lanyard so they won’t float away when Dad hooks the big one!
ROW 3: FILSON PULLMAN $410. Filson is renowned for their beautifully crafted and very durable apparel and accessories. The Pullman travel bag is made to fit perfectly under the seat of a Pullman railroad car — in other words, it’s the perfect bag a little getaway. SEAVEES 06/64 LEGENDS SNEAKER $78. Keep Dad stylin’ with a pair of vintage inspired SeaVees. The 06/64 Legend Sneaker harkens back to June 1964 when SeaVees first introduced these California kicks — always a cool summer look.
ROW 4: YELLOW LEAF HAMMOCK$145 $114.98. Insanely comfortable, beautifully colored, and durable, Yellow Leaf Hammocks are engineered for next-level napping. Using a proprietary triple-weave design with plush, fade-proof, and quick drying yarn, this super lightweight hammock packs down to nothing so Dad can take his lounging to go. SUUNTO TRAVERSE GPS WATCH $469. The Traverse is designed for the outdoors, but with the modern style and functionality for everyday activities too. For the adventurer of a Dad, the Traverse is his guide in the wild. The integrated GPS and GLONASS* navigation helps plan hikes and automatic breadcrumb ensures he can retrace his steps when needed.
Opening Thursday, June 9, at Steven Kasher Gallery in New York is Neil Latham: American Thoroughbred, an exhibition that features over 25 large-scale black and white photographs of America’s greatest race horses. The show is being held in conjunction with the publication of Latham’s monograph American Thoroughbred on the eve of the 2016 Belmont Stakes.
The collection of images represents a 3-year journey in which Latham fully immersed himself into the sport of horse racing and its thoroughbreds. A drive upstate into horse country north of New York City, to clear his head after his mother’s passing, inspired the project with a chance spotting of a horse and a familiar muscularity. “I saw the muscular shoulder of a horse standing by a fence, and I flashed on my mother’s similar back shoulder as she worked in her rose garden,” says Latham. “I stopped breathing. I hit the brakes and stared.”
Convincing the most notable owners and trainers to let him photograph their multimillion-dollar racehorses, the project took him from the racetrack of Saratoga to the horse farms of Kentucky to the ranches of Southern California, where he photographed such thoroughbred legends as A.P. Indy, Curlin, Tapit, Rachel Alexandra, and Zenyatta — as well as American Pharoah, last year’s heralded Triple Crown winner.
The images are studied portraits of these animals, graphic and architectural, each one carefully planned and sketched out in advance. Traveling with a portable studio, he photographed the horses on a black backdrop, 20 feet tall by 36 feet wide, which was rotated 10 degrees every fifteen minutes to maintain the perfect angle to the sun. He decided to use only natural lighting and chose to shoot on film with medium and large-format cameras. “To portray true essence, the image has to be truthful. I used film because it can’t be manipulated like digital photography. Film also gives a softness and subtlety that enhanced the emotional connection.” Read More
The look in summer sunnies is Wayfarer cool — all done up in an eye-popping combo of candy colored hues. Better get your shades on ’cause it’s bright out there!
STYLE OF SPORT is the website that celebrates sport and the intersection with fashion, design, art, news and culture. It features editorial and shopable content, curated for the sophisticated sports enthusiast. READ MORE
