IN CONVERSATION WITH RUSSELL WESTBROOK

interview by SAMO ŠAJN

RUSSELL WESTBROOK is one of the most influential basketball players of his generation. Now in his 18th NBA season, the former MVP and all-time leader in triple-doubles has built a career defined by intensity, passion and fearless individuality. His impact extends far beyond the court. As the founder and creative director of HONOR THE GIFT, a brand inspired by his upbringing, he has established himself as a powerful voice in fashion. And through his WHY NOT? FOUNDATION, he continues to empower underserved youth, encouraging them to stay true to themselves and pursue their dreams.

When did you first fall in love with fashion? Was it love from a young age or something you grew into?

It was love from a young age. I remember watching my mom put together colours, textures and pieces. It fascinated me. I wanted to try it myself. I learned to sew, experimented with fabrics and played with colours. It wasn’t just about clothes; it was about expressing something I felt inside. Even as a kid, fashion gave me a way to show who I was without saying a word. It was creative, personal and exciting all at once.

How would you describe your style in just a few words?

Unique. Intentional. Free. That’s me. Every outfit has to feel authentic, like it’s part of my energy that day. Some days I go bold and loud, other days quieter and understated. I like experimenting with textures, patterns and fits. It’s about mood, confidence and being unapologetically myself.

suit and jacket BALENCIAGA
tank top HANRO
watch and necklace CARTIER
sunglasses TEJESTA
shoes DOUCAL’S

Honor the Gift grew from your experiences and beliefs. Looking at where the brand is now, which part are you most proud of?

The impact it has on people. The brand comes from my roots, my childhood, my life story. Every collection tells a story, and when people wear it and connect with that story, it means I’m doing something right. Seeing someone inspired by a T-shirt or campaign, hearing them say it motivated them to try something new, that’s what makes me proud. It’s bigger than fashion. It’s storytelling, inspiration and culture all in one.

Your collections are rooted in personal stories from growing up. How do you decide which moments become clothing?

It usually hits me naturally. Some memories stick, such as moments that shaped who I am or taught me lessons. If I can feel it, visualise it and translate it into something tangible, then it becomes a piece. It’s about authenticity. Everything I create has to carry my experience, my voice. I want people to not just wear it, but to understand the story behind it, to feel it themselves.

look ISSEY MIYAKE
hat ESENSHAL
shoes DOUCAL’S
watch CARTIER
ring SPINELLI KILCOLLIN

Designing the LA Rams collection for Honor the Gift was huge. What was your favourite part? Creating the clothes, seeing the final pieces or watching the athletes wear them?

The whole process was amazing. Designing something with an NFL team, that was new for me. But the part that really hit me was the campaign. We brought kids from the inner city into it, included Rams players and collaborated with local communities. Seeing their faces, the joy and pride, that’s when you realise fashion can be more than just clothes. It can create moments, inspire people and make an impact.

Your style has always been fearless, from your NBA draft night suit to Fashion Week looks. How has your style evolved over the years?

It evolves with me. Sometimes I go for oversized, baggy silhouettes, or fitted and precise. I dress according to my mood, how I feel that day. Sometimes all black, sometimes patterns, sometimes textures. That flexibility, that freedom, that’s what fashion is for me. It’s a way to express emotion, confidence and even energy. I love that it’s fluid, like a reflection of who I am at that moment.

look HONOR THE GIFT
shirt LE PERE
shoes DOUCAL’S
bag ACNE STUDIOS
watch CARTIER
ring SPINELLI KILCOLLIN

You’ve said basketball and fashion are both forms of expression. How does your approach to style reflect the way you play the game?

They’re similar in energy and instinct. Basketball is movement, emotion and performance; it’s a form of communication. Fashion is another medium for that. Sometimes they overlap, sometimes they don’t, but both allow me to express myself authentically. On the court or off, it’s about making a statement, showing personality and being confident in your choices. They’re different tools for the same purpose.

jacket and pants HONOR THE GIFT
tank COMMAS
hoodie LE PERE
chain and watch CARTIER
shoe DOUCAL’S

In both fashion and basketball, people watch you closely. Does fashion offer a different sense of freedom compared to basketball?

Absolutely. On the court, there are rules, structure and expectations. Fashion lets you break that mold. Some players are quiet on the floor but loud in style; it’s a different type of freedom, a way to show who you are without words. For me, it’s the same energy I use in basketball — confidence, boldness and authenticity — just in another form.

hat HONOR THE GIFT
jeans RAG & BONE
briefs HANRO
shoe DR. MARTENS
jewellery TIFFANY & CO.

You’ve faced critics and haters throughout your career. How do you block out the noise?

I focus on being true to myself. If you know who you are and stick to that, what anyone else says doesn’t matter. I actually see haters as positive; if people are talking about you, it usually means you’re doing something right. I take it as fuel, motivation to keep pushing, evolving and being authentic. The goal is always growth, not approval.

suit BALENCIAGA
tank top HANRO
watch and necklace CARTIER
sunglasses TEJESTA
shoes DOUCAL’S

This issue is about love. How does love inspire your creativity, whether it’s designing, styling or playing basketball?

Love drives everything I do. It’s the foundation of creativity, passion and connection. I want people to feel it in my work, whether it’s on the court or in a collection. Creating something that sparks joy, inspires and connects, that’s the ultimate goal. Love gives everything meaning. Without it, nothing matters. It’s why I push myself, why I create and why I keep exploring.

If you could pick one principle of the Why Not? Foundation to teach every kid in the world, what would it be?

Stay true to yourself. Know who you are, and don’t let anyone change that. That’s what the foundation is about, giving kids confidence, teaching them to chase their dreams and helping them embrace their own identity. That principle guides me every day, in basketball, in fashion and in life.

jacket BALENCIAGA
watch and necklace CARTIER
bag HONOR THE GIFT
hat ESENSHEL
shorts BRAND JORDAN
shoes DR. MARTENS

TEAM CREDITS:

talent RUSSELL WESTBROOK
photography FERNANDO SIPPEL
styling COURTNEY MAYS at THE ONLY AGENCY
hair and makeup LINDSAY ROGERS at THE WALL GROUP
digi tech BRENDAN BARLOW
set design JODE ROJAS
production ESYN STUDIOS
general producer ANA CAROLINA GONZALEZ BORTOT
line producer CARLOS RAMIREZ
photography assistance DAN MYASNYANKIN
styling assistance CONRAD PAUL
studio ELECTRIC PONY STUDIOS
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview SAMO ŠAJN
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN