Taking a closer look at the 2010 NBA Draft, and the duds the rooks rocked.
Amidst the clutter of suit bags, shoe boxes and empty hangers strewn about, DeMarcus Cousins’ family, Jhoanna Alba and I found space to maneuver around the cramped Times Square hotel suite.
With the NBA Draft less than five hours away, the Cousins clan was present to finalize their wardrobes for their big night. Ms. Alba, founder and head designer of Élevée, was there—in her 36th floor suite—to ensure everything fit the soon-to-be fifth overall selection and his younger brother. And I was there as the lone reporter to take in the behind-the-scenes action.
Despite the clutter and lack of seating space, all of us were excited. The Cousins were stoked to pop on their crisp, custom suits. Alba was happy that her customers were pleased with their wardrobes. And I was vibing off of everyone else’s positive energy.
After Alba tied their ties, adjusted their lapels and then put their suits away for later, the Cousins left, agreeing to come back in two hours. In those 120 minutes, the Cousins would chill in their room a few floors below, idling away their last hours as non-millionaires. Meanwhile, Alba, in her 10th year dressing players for the Draft, worked feverishly on an iron, making sure John Wall’s, Paul George’s, Cole Aldrich’s, Xavier Henry’s, Ed Davis’, Luke Babbitt’s, Kevin Seraphin’s and DeMarcus Cousins’ custom clothes were perfectly pressed.
In between puffs of iron steam, Élevée’s Alba graciously answered SLAM’s questions.
So if you want exclusive insight into NBA Draft wardrobes, sit down—room allowing—and peep this:
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