[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Even though the weather was seriously cold, Toronto was the hottest place to be this weekend as the 2016 NBA All-Star celebrations took the city by storm.
From high-profile sporting events to lavish parties with high-profile guests, the city was filled with VIP events and exciting retail announcements! Celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Usher, Kevin Hart, Drake, and others joined some of the biggest names in basketball to celebrate #NBAALLSTARTO
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1. NIKE AND JORDAN STORE OPENS
Canada’s first Jordan-only retail location, 306 Yonge (at 306 Yonge St.) provides the ultimate Jordan Brand experience in Toronto. Featuring a premium assortment of Jordan footwear and apparel, the store was a huge attractions for tourist and shoppers during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Some waited all night in temperatures as low as -15 C to get a chance to shop at the store.
CBC News reported that one man made a two-hour trip from his home in Buffalo, N.Y., and plans to spend $4,500 at the store over the weekend. The opening day, he spent $1,500.
The store features the Jordan Standard, an immersive experience available exclusively to Jordan members, in which participants use body tracking and ball control technology to test speed, control, agility, endurance and focus. Located below 306 Yonge, 306 Underground serves up the ultimate VIP Jordan service experience. The lounge will offer customization, early product reservation, barber services and personal shopping.
* Kobe Bryant scored a big gift while in Toronto!
ACCORDING TO USA TODAY – Bryant attended a Jordan Brand party on Friday night in Toronto before his final NBA All-Star Game and received a very special gift: every pair of Jordan line shoes from I to XXX!
He was extremely delighted by the gesture, especially because the set included multiple pairs of shoes that Bryant eagerly wanted to acquire as a youngster.
Lasting legacy.
A gift from The Boss to @KobeBryant before his last All-Star Game: https://t.co/uKIfOQDxFd. pic.twitter.com/zVW3GnfXmL
— Jordan (@Jumpman23) February 13, 2016
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2. All Aboard – Nike SNKRS XPRESS
Taking to the streets of Toronto this weekend was a new kind of shopping experience. Nike unveiled SNKRS XPRESS, a functioning streetcar that is also a moving store.
SNKRS XPRESS invited Nike+ members to experience the holistic power of Nike and Jordan by offering a curated selection of footwear including the Nike Air Force 1 Flyknit, Air Jordan XXX, Jordan Cement IV, Kobe 11 Royalty and several surprise drops.
In addition to Toronto, SNKRS XPRESS Stations also popped-up in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
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3. adidas Originals finds home at Exclucity
adidas Originals is posting up at Exclucity (552 Queen Street W.) and taking over the top floor of the sneaker destination. The space will give sneakerheads access to shop exclusive adidas Originals drops and will act as a reveal space for new products in the coming months.
adidas has completely transformed the space with its branding, custom imagery by local Toronto photographer, Horace Ng, customer photo activations and fashion-forward products.
With adidas sneakers finding their way on All-Stars Kyle Lowry and James Harden, we think this will be popular addition for shoe shoppers. To celebrate, Exclucity will have official NBA All-Star apparel and footwear for the month of February.
The adidas shop at Exclucity is open seven days a week.
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4. Canada Goose NBA Limited-Edition Gift
Keeping players warm during the weekend’s blistering cold, Canada Goose provided a limited-edition, specialized parka to each of the NBA All-Stars.
Canada Goose has created two limited-edition Macmillan Parkas – Carbon Camo for the Eastern Conference All-Stars, and Classic Camo (pictured above) for Western All-Stars. Each jacket also features an embroidered congratulatory note from Canada Goose on the inside front panel.
The Macmillan Parka, the season’s newest men’s style, is built for the athletic and sophisticated city dweller and has a slim fit, stylized hemline and quilt-through design.
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5. Drake’s Jordan X OVO limited edition collection
Despite the cold temperatures, loyal fans of Drake’s OVO came out in full force for the latest Jordan X OVO Collection. Long lines curved around the side of the street store for the entire weekend.
The collection, which features black and white along with hits of gold, includes includes tees, a sweatsuit, a velour sweatsuit, a baseball hat, a beenie and a duffel bag.
Also included as part of the collection is a black OVO Air Jordan 1o (pictured below) which have attained official coveted status! Some pairs of the OVO Air Jordan are priced as high as $9000 US on eBay!
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6. SAKS FIFTH AVENUE & FUTURE CELEBRATE ALL-STAR STYLE WITH GQ
Hip-hop superstar Future celebrated with some of the most stylish players of the NBA including Johnathan Cyprien, Andre Drummond, Danillo Gallinari, James Harden, Cameron Hunter, Von Miller, Terrell Owens, JJ Redick, and Charlie Villanueva.
Saks Fifth Avenue President Mark Metrick and Regional Vice President, Stephane Ledoux were also on-hand for the celebrations. On Thursday, February 18, Saks Fifth Avenue will open its doors to the public on Queen Street in Toronto after a lot of anticipation!
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7. The Room hosts a shopping party
The Hudson’s Bay Company hosted a private shopping event and guests included members of the NBA Wives Association. The association runs the non-profit #BehindTheBench campaign and was in the city raising money this weekend.
NBA Wives shopping exclusively at #HBTheRoom for a great cause here in Toronto. #NBAAllStarTO #BehindTheBench pic.twitter.com/vM0rjQU0bY
— Hudson’s Bay (@hudsonsbay) February 12, 2016
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