NBA Star Kyle Kuzma Throws More Light On His Fashion Sense, Art Basel And Romance With Winnie Harlow

In a recent interview via Zoom, NBA star Kyle Kuzma gave us a glimpse into his unique fashion sense and discussed his experiences with Art Basel and his romance with model Winnie Harlow. Kuzma, who hails from Flint and played basketball at the University of Utah before entering the NBA in 2017, gained recognition for his time with the Lakers, including their championship win in 2020. However, he was recently traded to the Wizards, where he signed a lucrative four-year, $102 million contract.

“I was finishing a tattoo,” the six-foot-nine-inch athlete says by way of apology for his minor lateness. His newest body art joins an extensive canvas of what Kuzma estimates to be over 80 tattoos, from the cherub on his neck to the word “Flint” on his wrist — an homage to his beloved and besieged Michigan hometown — to the “Space Jam” Looney Tunes characters on his thigh. The new art is behind his leg, he shares; the man has to be running out of space at this point. “It’s a Great Depression quote from the ’30s,” he says. “It says ‘Make it do, or do without.’”

For such a kinetic guy, I suggest, the process of getting inked must be a welcome opportunity to take a breath, even if it comes with a bit of a pinch. “Yeah, for sure, 100%,” he agrees in his soft-spoken baritone. “Just, like, calm out, work on your mental toughness.”

Kuzma‘s fashion choices are not just about looking good; they are a form of self-expression and a means of commenting on culture. He carefully selects outfits that contribute to his narrative and convey a deeper message. For him, putting together a look is an artistic process akin to painting a picture; it’s about creating a visual story rather than simply throwing on clothes.

When Kuzma collaborated with Alexa on a photoshoot, it was evident that it was no ordinary shoot. He loved the unique vibe they created, which went beyond typical photography. They aimed to tell a story and capture a specific aesthetic, combining elements of the 1950s with a contemporary twist.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Kuzma won’t show up for designers who mean something to him. He’s walked in multiple New York Fashion Week shows, notably a tentacled Puma look in 2022 and a bold, black and red leather suit at the Sp5der show this fall. He attended the Rick Owens show in Paris this summer, naturally: “My whole closet is Rick Owens, pretty much,” he told Nylon at the time.

“I do things now with people I call friends,” he says. “I think the world has just gotten a little too mixy, like, a little lost on relationship building. So I’m being very selective, very mindful.”

At the moment, he’s excited to nurture artistic relationships at Art Basel, whose Miami Beach fair, now in its 22nd year, runs from December 6 to 8. Kuzma, who has a place in Miami for when he’s not in DC, has long been an art fan and collector; his tastes run to daring modern art with something to say. “One artist I like is Derrick Adams,” Kuzma shares. (You may remember Adams from his portrait of Lucious and Cookie Lyon on “Empire,” which became a Season 5 plot point.) “I have a piece he did for me that reflects my life, in a sense,” Kuzma says. “He made me a painting that was, like, being biracial in America. It has the US flag and an African flag, and then it had just, like, my vantage point of life.”

He radiates an intense curiosity about a wide range of subjects, and has used his NBA earnings to delve into his off-court passions — fashion, but also the art world, fine wines and philanthropy. For the latter, he teamed up with his mom, Karri Kuzma, to launch the Kyle Kuzma Family Foundation, which focuses on empowering single mothers and helping underprivileged kids. It also focuses on rehabilitation of incarcerated women, which Kuzma notes is an underdiscussed subject with an outsized stigma.

“Women in jail are extremely marginalized,” says Kuzma. “When a woman goes to jail, there’s a whole different stigma to it. You never know people’s environments, and the context of why they’re in jail. Some might be forced into prostitution. Some may be in jail from trying to save their lives. And not to mention, you know, the trauma in the ecosystem they grew up in, the hard life.” In a fall event last year at the Genesee County Jail, Kuzma paid a surprise visit to incarcerated women who were visiting with their children, bringing Christmas gifts for the kids and over $60,000 of clothing donated for the women to wear upon release.

His involvement in philanthropy, he says, was inspired by striking up a friendship with Chris Swanson, the sheriff of Michigan’s Genesee County, who made a name for himself in 2020 during the George Floyd protests when he famously put down his riot gear to side with the protestors. “He’s a great man. I love his ideologies,” says Kuzma.

Moreover, Kuzma made waves in 2021 with his most viral fashion moment. He rocked an oversized Raf Simons pink sweater that extended well beyond his hands and waist, creating a comical yet thought-provoking image. The exaggerated proportions served as a commentary on his own experience as an exceptionally tall individual, highlighting the challenges and unique perspectives that come with it.

Aside from his fashion ventures, Kuzma also opened up about his romantic involvement with model Winnie Harlow. While details about their relationship remain private, their partnership continues to make headlines, generating interest and sparking curiosity among fans.

Kyle Kuzma’s openness about his fashion sense, experiences with Art Basel, and relationship with Winnie Harlow showcase his multidimensional personality beyond the basketball court. As an ambassador for David Yurman and a Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Sports honoree, Kuzma’s influence reaches far beyond the game, making him a true icon in the worlds of sports and fashion alike.

Flip to the next page for some photos of Kyle Kuzma showing off his fashion prowess…

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