Location: We met up with Jovan James at Port in Northampton, the site of his former clothing and sneaker store, Unite. “I love what my friend Ben (Glushein) has done with it, he does a great job of curating the space.”
Hometown: Washington, D.C., but he’s lived in the Valley for 16 years. “I moved here after 9/11. Anthrax was delivered to my workplace.”
Sneakers: “A Japanese brand called Visvim, one of my favorite brands, clothing- and sneaker-wise.”
Jeans:“They are from Jean Shop, made in the USA.”
Shirt: “This is a Naked and Famous shirt, a Canadian brand. I don’t have a Labradoodle, but I like how the pattern seems like something else, until you get up close and then you’re like ‘Oh my God, puppies!’ ”
Northampton vs NYC: “Mainly here I wear sweatpants, when I go to New York I bring out all my fun stuff, ‘cause I like it to be appreciated. Here everyone is like, ‘whatever,’ but I was in the city last week and I got four compliments on these shoes!”
What he wears on the slopes: “Arc’teryx is my ski style. I like the way it fits and how it’s streamlined, it’s super minimal.”
The next generation:“I was obsessed with fashion for so long and have kind of moved on, and now it has shifted. My 12 year-old-son, Joaquin, is so into it. He knows about all these things and I have no idea what he’s talking about. It’s funny to be on the other side.”
New venture: “I’m opening up a strength and conditioning facility in West Springfield on the second floor of the Olympia Hockey rink. I’ll be working with hockey players doing their dry land stuff.”
Summer plans: “I’m training for the Jujitsu Masters World Championship in Las Vegas this August.”
—Daisy von Furth for
Hampshire Life