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Mitchell & Ness invited a crowd of enthusiastic guests in honor of the brand’s 120th anniversary last Friday (Nov. 8). Gathered in downtown Los Angeles, the party was more than a celebration of the longstanding legacy of the Philadelphia-founded company, as it also fortified a commitment to maintaining relevancy and continued to build the groundwork for an infinite future.
The night began with 90s and 2000s Hip-Hop and R&B as attendees, many in Mitchell & Ness throwback jerseys, mingled with one another and became acquainted with Mitchell & Ness’ history through vintage photos and a walk-through pop-up museum. Designed to mimic a locker room, featured items included pieces from brand collaborations with Tiffany & Co and Supreme, jerseys worn by Jay-Z, Rihanna and Usher’s Super Bowl drops, and more. Additionally, a Hennessy-fueled open bar kept spirits high as more RSVP’d guests entered the venue.
As the affair continued, the playlist incorporated modern Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and more, signaling the brand’s dedication to not only paying homage but maintaining relevancy by incorporating trends and appealing to all generations.
“The reason we are calling it a celebration is…to be around for 120 years is phenomenal…we’re really leaning into what does it mean to take this from 12o to infinity,” explained CEO Eli Kumekpor to VIBE in the cozy VIP section of the event before doors officially opened. “For us, celebrating 120 is important because we are coming back to reclaim our relevance. Mitchell & Ness is a cultural institution, and we gotta lean into honoring that, celebrating that, [and] being that. We are culture. We are Hip-Hop. We are Black culture. We are music culture. We are sports culture. We intersect all of these things. How do we continue to live up to that? It’s a tough bar.”
“How do we stay authentic in all of those boxes?” he continues to explore while explaining that the company often turns down collaboration opportunities that do not align with the Mitchell & Ness voice in an effort to maintain authenticity.
Notable guests at the soiree included NBA Shooting Coach Chris Matthews, Mitchell & Ness creative director Don C, LiAngelo Ball, Jimmy Gorecki, 310babii, Victoria Mazzeo, Armon Warren, and more.
Take a look inside the Mitchell & Ness 120th Anniversary party below.
English (US) ·