Befitting the upcoming big game this Sunday, the runway also featured a host of NFL stars. Cincinnati Bengals’ star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, carrying a cheeky maché Bengal head, previewed a grassy new colorway of Bode’s blockbuster Nike Astro Grabber sneakers. Ray-Ray McCloud III, a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, wore the green Astro Grabbers as well, which matched the embroidered greenery on his zippered knit cardigan.
Alvin Kamara, a running back for the New Orleans Saints, wore tuxedo pants and a T-shirt printed with the cover of William Faulkner’s classic novel The Sound and the Fury. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux, both of whom modeled cream-toned jackets with ornate fringe and floral motifs, also walked in the show.
“That was such an important part of this, to be able to have athletes embody the Bode universe, because athletes are a huge part of our brand,” said Bode Aujla, who later took her final bow on the arm of musician Leon Bridges, who provided the show’s live soundtrack.
Elsewhere on the runway was Julez Smith, the son of musician Solange Knowles, in a cord-trimmed robe suit; the 20-year-old model previously made his runway debut last year at Luar’s show in Bushwick, Brooklyn while his aunt, Beyoncé, watched proudly from the front row. Actor Casey Affleck’s son Indiana Affleck, who recently posed for Bode’s fall 2024 campaign, also modeled two looks: a prom-king-ready white suit and a mustard-toned cape with embellished blue jeans.
More familiar faces included fashion-industry stalwarts Taylor Hill—who succeeded Lucky Blue Smith in a black bodysuit and emerald-green “Bode” sash, before closing out the show in a feather-covered white cape—and Evan Mock, who, befitting his man-about-town persona, modeled a tiger-print T-shirt and matching tote bag featuring the phrase “BEER IS FOOD.” The perfect sentiment to kick off the rest of the weekend in the Big Easy.
