Victor Cruz, wide receiver for the New York Giants and the best-dressed player in the NFL, is also an ambassador for the first-ever men's-only New York Fashion Week, the four-day event this summer that's finally recognizing that there's more than enough great men's clothing coming out of New York (and, by extension, America) to warrant a fashion week just for us. Todd Snyder, the designer who made Cruz' duds here, will be there. Cruz will be there. And so will most of the great designers in the country. Ahead of New York York Fashion Week: Men's, we caught up the Pro Bowler to talk about football, Balmain, and his father's style legacy.
How did you dress in high school and college?
Oversized jerseys, hats, baggy jeans, Jordans, Nike, Polo, Rocawear. That was the culture.
How did things change? Is there anyone in your family that influenced your style?
My dad was probably the biggest person in my life when it came to fashion because he was so swagged-out all the time. He wore suspenders in the summer time with open button up white shirts because he thought he had muscles. He was definitely my style icon growing up.
When did style become something serious for you?
It was gradual. It started off with me figuring out what I liked and how I wanted to wear my clothes. Mostly though, I just got introduced to more things. Magazines like Esquire and different media outlets plus seeing different brands. The way I dressed started to slowly change after that.
What was the first major piece you purchased?
I bought this red and black striped Givenchy sweater. It was a trendy sweater but one you had to have. I was like ok I understood what this fashion thing is about now. I even had it put away or as my stylist would say, I "vintagized" it.
What's your favorite piece right now?
Got to be this black Balmain leather jacket I have. I told myself that if I was going to get a biker jacket, I was going to get the best one I can. I never want to buy another one again. I want my kids to wear this jacket.
I know you're involved with New York Men's Fashion Week as an Ambassador. What does that entail?
It involves me going to different brands that I've developed relationships with and filming us talking about fashion and the upcoming shows. The plan is just to get more in depth about these brands.
How did your association with Men's Fashion Week start?
It started with Calvin Klein inviting me to Men's Fashion Week in Milan. That really opened my eyes. I went to all these different places in the world to shop, places that I didn't even know existed. After that I wanted to be more entrenched in the fashion world, not because it's the cool thing to do, but because I love clothes. So I went every year for the next two or three years and I started going to Paris for the shows and it grew from there.
Are your teammates into style?
Some guys don't get it because they're still old school. So they joke on me about my suits being too tight, but then I give it back to them. One of my teammates has a nine-button suit. I'm like dude you can't walk around like that, with that Steve Harvey, Steve Hightower stuff.
A lot more NBA players embrace style in comparison to NFL guys. Any thoughts as to why?
NBA gets a lot more eyes on them because there are less guys on the team, they don't wear helmets. So they're getting looked at a lot more than your average football player who might walk into the stadium with a nice look, but wont be in front of the camera as often. That plays a part, but it's growing. It's slowly building with guys like Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick. Also Tom Brady gets its, he understands how to put a suit on.
When it comes to fashion, some guys do it because it's a trend, others because they have a genuine interest. Where do you stand on that?
I live by that Deion Sanders motto, "If you look good, you play good and if you play good, you get paid good." I've always loved fashion since day one, so that's why this works so seamlessly with me.
What are some of your favorite brands? Who do you trust?
Public School, Neil Barrett, Michael Bastian, Calvin Klein Collection, Kith, Ovadia & Sons, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Raf Simons, and Rick Owens.
Football-wise, how's your body healing up?
I'm healing up well. I'm getting back to 100 percent, running routes and getting my speed back. I've been running routes on my own, I'm not able to practice yet, but I'm going slow and making sure I'm getting the proper rest. I spend a lot of time building up my quad so by training camp I'll be able to do some things.
What will tell you that you're back physically? An 80-yard TD against the Eagles?
I think the first TD or first broken tackle, the first move that symbolizes what I've done in the past. When I catch the ball go up the sideline, that's when I'll know.
Between you, Odell Beckham Jr. and Rueben Randle, this Giants wide receiver corps has a very high ceiling. Where is your confidence on what you guys will be able to do this season?
We got some ballers, it's going to be a special year. I'm excited to be a part of it. I'm going to be a big piece of what this team can do.
Parts of this story were published in the August 2015 issue.
