Flavor Flav reminded everyone to keep Los Angeles in their hearts with his California Love shirt paired with his signature watch and bling, Gucci accessories, and dazzling Breitling watches. “I’m just excited to see the show and everyone that’s walking in the show. I know everyone is having crazy fun, and I just love seeing people have fun.”
Set to the dreamy lull of Leon Bridges and his guitar, models including Lucky Blue Smith, Taylor Hill, and Evan Mock sported men’s and women’s looks at the former church-turned-runway. Current football stars like Alvin Kamara, Ja’Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb also made their Bode runway debut. While the collection leaned athletic with its football and Americana references at the forefront (inspired by the designer’s father’s high school and college football days), there was a romantic quality with some models wearing beauty pageant-inspired sashes and most having a flower moment, whether from bouquets or wearing boutonnieres and corsages. Silver stars hung from the ceiling, and a large banner on the stage claimed the show as a “Victory Parade.”
GQ Bowl marked Bridges’s first foray into playing at a fashion show, and he called it a milestone in his career. “I love the intimate spaces—the more you grow as an artist, the venues get bigger, so it’s nice being here.”
Founder, designer, and two-time CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year Emily Adams Bode Aujla felt that the evening and the brand’s first “destination show” was a success. “It’s always chaotic doing a show, but the energy is so good. It feels like an epic quality that you don’t get with other sorts of presentations and to do it around the Super Bowl felt even more energized.”
Following the show (which was streamed live via GQ.com and GQ’s YouTube channel), everyone descended on the hotel’s courtyard, which continued the celestial decor with stars, a large crescent moon, and disco balls. Visitors had a taste of the famous New Orleans cuisine with staples like red beans and rice, barbecue shrimp and grits, and jambalaya with specialty drinks, including Glenmorangie scotch. A Raising Cane’s truck made a cameo at the end of the evening (founder Todd Graves was also in attendance), proving to be the perfect late-night background for photos.
