Kyle Kuzma stays busy, even during basketball's offseason. The Washington Wizards forward is enjoying a summer abroad, with visits to Monaco for Formula 1, Lake Como, and even a quick dip in Cannes for the film festival with girlfriend Winnie Harlow. Her latest stop on her world tour is Paris for fashion week, and as a fashion and art lover, it's a must. After attending the Vogue World “musical” show at Place Vendôme, Kuzma got on the phone with me on the way to the after-party, though he doesn't know where the car is going: “I don't know the exact place. I just show up in the car and enjoy.”
This laid-back attitude has taken him to fashion shows for the likes of Amiri, Louis Vuitton and his personal favorite, Rick Owens. “It was amazing. I had 220 models. It was really colossal, and the clothes were great too,” he recalls. A quick scroll through his Instagram confirms that it's a Rick boss anyway, and as he attests, “it's mine personal style My entire wardrobe is Rick Owens, pretty much.” For Kuzma, clothes are the ultimate communicator, letting others know you're in the fashion scene. Dressing up is the best IYKYK. “It's cool when you wear clothes beautiful and someone asks you what you are wearing. Or, if someone knows what you're wearing, you create an automatic link,” he says.
The rest of his non-Rick wardrobe is filled to the brim with designer sunglasses, his must-have accessory, he explains: “The first thing you look at when you look at a person is their face, and having stylish glasses and elegant they're always a lot of fun and a nice addition to any look.” He's not married to a style, he wears very small and large sunglasses on the same day. As long as they're sleek and futuristic, he's on board. He's also a watch fiend and he believes in their value as collectibles, and when he wears one, “it's a piece of art and a conversation starter.” His latest acquisition was “a Patek [Philippe] Nautilus 5711 platinum with baguette diamonds and black dial. It is an out of catalog piece. It is out of print and quite rare… I love having rare pieces that not many people have or can touch”. (Something comparable is available for $480,000 online, FYI).
As for his favorite Paris spots, Kuzma stays at the Hôtel Costes, a classic hangout for ambient style where dinners on the patio can stretch into the wee hours of the morning. He also frequents restaurants such as Girafe, Siena and Le Bon Georges. In short, he knows how to have fun and do well doing it. He will never be a victim of fashion, however, as he says just before giving the session: “It seems to me that with many people the clothes are always worn, and I wear them. I put on my clothes and it's me.”
