Down in NOLA, the Ultimate Football and Fashion Mash-Up With GQ x Bode
As the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles (and their loyal fanbases) gear up for Sunday’s big game in New Orleans, the rest of the city is toasting to both football and fashion. Last night, GQ partnered with Bode for its inaugural GQ Bowl and premiered Bode Rec.’s Spring 2025 collection at Hotel Peter Paul, a chic, star-favorite hotel tucked away in the Marigny neighborhood.
Spirits were high as guests walked the green carpet and were happy to be in balmy New Orleans. “I’ve lived in New York for so long that it’s just good to be in the South," said Will Welch, GQ’s global editorial director, who is originally from Atlanta, GA. "I feel at home here…with the humidity in February.”
Welch donned a Bode black double-breasted suit from the new collection, which also appeared later that evening on a model with a T-shirt underneath proclaiming “BEER IS FOOD”—fitting for Super Bowl weekend.
Actors, musicians, athletes, and influencers were all in attendance, including SZA (who will take the stage Sunday during the Super Bowl halftime show), football and fashion darling Joe Burrow, Diplo, Offset, Eiza González, Benito Skinner, Sexxy Red, and Flavor Flav. Skinner, a comedian and actor, sported custom ERL, which was a nod to his high school football days.
Flavor Flav reminded everyone to keep Los Angeles in their hearts with his California Love shirt paired with his signature watch and bling, Gucci accessories, and dazzling Breitling watches. “I’m just excited to see the show and everyone that’s walking in the show. I know everyone is having crazy fun, and I just love seeing people have fun.”
Set to the dreamy lull of Leon Bridges and his guitar, models including Lucky Blue Smith, Taylor Hill, and Evan Mock sported men’s and women’s looks at the former church-turned-runway. Current football stars like Alvin Kamara, Ja’Marr Chase, and CeeDee Lamb also made their Bode runway debut. While the collection leaned athletic with its football and Americana references at the forefront (inspired by the designer’s father’s high school and college football days), there was a romantic quality with some models wearing beauty pageant-inspired sashes and most having a flower moment, whether from bouquets or wearing boutonnieres and corsages. Silver stars hung from the ceiling, and a large banner on the stage claimed the show as a “Victory Parade.”
GQ Bowl marked Bridges’s first foray into playing at a fashion show, and he called it a milestone in his career. “I love the intimate spaces—the more you grow as an artist, the venues get bigger, so it’s nice being here.”
Founder, designer, and two-time CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year Emily Adams Bode Aujla felt that the evening and the brand’s first “destination show” was a success. “It’s always chaotic doing a show, but the energy is so good. It feels like an epic quality that you don’t get with other sorts of presentations and to do it around the Super Bowl felt even more energized.”
Following the show (which was streamed live via GQ.com and GQ’s YouTube channel), everyone descended on the hotel’s courtyard, which continued the celestial decor with stars, a large crescent moon, and disco balls. Visitors had a taste of the famous New Orleans cuisine with staples like red beans and rice, barbecue shrimp and grits, and jambalaya with specialty drinks, including Glenmorangie scotch. A Raising Cane’s truck made a cameo at the end of the evening (founder Todd Graves was also in attendance), proving to be the perfect late-night background for photos.
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images1/16Emily Adams Bode Aujla, Dr. Bruce Bode and Aaron Aujla
- Phillip Faraone/Getty Images2/16
Sexyy Red and Will Welch
