Nigerian-Inspired Hoodie Made For Giannis Antetokounmpo By WhatsApp Stars At The Premier Of Naija Odyssey
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By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com
WhatsApp and Giannis Antetokounmpo recently celebrated the premiere of the four-part epic, Naija Odyssey, a short film that explores the significance and importance of having international connectivity, with the story chronicling the Greek and Nigerian basketball prodigy, NBA All-Star, and champion. The film held a private premiere on September 20 at the Metrograph in the Lower East Side, New York City. Following the premier of the short film was a Q&A session with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Head of Global Marketing at WhatsApp, Vivian Odor, moderated by Jian DeLeon.
The Nigerian performing arts group Ijo Ugo would serenade Antetokounmpo and guests with a traditional Yoruba dance, including DJ Buka, who spun Afrobeats as the evening progressed. Restaurant Buka NY curated an authentic Nigerian menu, incorporating a Greek fusion offering. The evening resonated with the star athlete, but the pillar of the evening was the custom hoodie created specifically for Antetokounmpo.
Designed by the Post Imperialism brand and its founder Niyi Okuboyejo, a Nigerian-American designer based in Harlem, New York, this unique hoodie would encapsulate the essence that Antetokounmpo holds dear to his heart, his home country of Nigeria. The hoodie is inspired by all of Nigeria, first displaying the calling code for Nigeria, +234, across the chest, a play on his Milwaukee Bucks jersey number, 34. On the back of the hoodie, designer Okuboyejo embroiders Giannis' last name in Yoruba, “Adetokunbo.” Antetokounmpo's popularity is partly due to his Greek-translated name across the back of his team jersey, not just his talent. The hoodie has layers of connectivity to the athlete's past and present.
Antetokounmpo describes his new favorite fashion statement hoodie, “Beginning with the +234 Hoodie, this partnership with Whatsapp has always been about the importance of connection for me, whether it’s to my home back in Greece or to my family roots in Nigeria.” He continues, “this film is the next interpretation of this, portraying how having access to my communities wherever I go has helped build me into the person and athlete I am today—and how Whatsapp has played an essential role in keeping me connected…”
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This is facilitated by the increasingly high-quality preparation of major tournaments, more media coverage, and a more open position of professional players and clubs.