Stylist Paige Geran Reflects on Her Work with Kobe Bryant

Stylist Paige Geran first met Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in 2009 at the opening of Phillipe Chow in Beverly Hills, California. This restaurant’s launch coincided with the Lakers’ cover for L’Uomo Vogue. Geran described this meeting as a pivotal moment for both her and Bryant.

At the time, Bryant was undergoing a transition, moving from number 8 to 24. Geran reflected, “He was starting to do more shoots and getting more out there.” Their professional relationship began when Bryant sought a stylist to complement his evolving image.

Initially, there was some uncertainty regarding the role of a stylist in Bryant’s life. Geran noted, “It took a second to get things off the ground though, initially, because it was a really gray area for him to have a stylist.” She and Bryant began working together regularly from 2009 to 2011.

A significant aspect of their collaboration involved creating custom clothing tailored to Bryant’s athletic build. “Designers are smart now. They make clothes off-the-rack that players can wear,” Geran explained. The fashion industry’s approach to styling athletes has evolved considerably since their partnership.

Geran described Bryant as extremely detail-oriented. Although he had little interest in traditional suits, he favored upscale luxury items like custom leather jackets and denim. This allowed Geran to showcase Bryant’s personality while delivering a polished look.

The stylists’ approach to working with Bryant was unconventional. Instead of planning looks for a month, they met weekly for outfit handoffs. “My working relationship with him was somewhere between a slapstick comedy and a drama,” Geran recalled.

One notable moment in their partnership occurred when Bryant needed tailor measurements for custom suits from Tom Ford. Geran shared, “He’s like, ‘Hey, you think he can meet me in the parking lot?’ I’m like, no, he’s going to think we’re crazy.”

Graffiti dating back to their partnership becomes particularly vivid when discussing Bryant’s attire for various occasions. For instance, Geran recalls dressing him for appearances in an all-black outfit that matched his «Black Mamba» persona. She also details the massive effort that went into tailoring clothes to fit Bryant’s unique dimensions.

The connection between Bryant and fashion grew significantly during their time together. Geran created looks that contrasted with the oversized clothing Bryant wore before, reflecting trends favored by other athletes such as soccer player David Beckham.

As the NBA’s rules regarding player attire relaxed over the years, Geran noted the shift in fashion within the league. “If you walked in the arena before a game in a sweat suit, you’d get like a $10,000 fine,” she explained. “Now, guys are wearing tank tops and skirts. They just let everybody just be free.”

On August 24, 2024, the Jackson Park basketball courts will be dedicated to Kobe Bryant, commemorating his influence not only on the sport but also the fashion world.