Kwasi Kessie

Looking back to the 1988 New York City Marathon, when he was just a child growing up in Harlem, stylist Kwasi Kessie is prompt when he credits his mother Sharon Jones with fueling a life long obsession with walking a fine line of running and fashion.

It’s part of the intangibles that draws a mix of name brand clients his way as they seek a bespoke slice of flair Kessie constructs to enhance those who are already chic — and offers to others eager to display another side of themselves.

But as he explains — in his own words — he’s open to style the right clients, obsessively chase miles and steer his own brand in a high fashion industry that in practice can be (at times) light years away from the taste-making grit of his native neighborhood.

THE FAVORITES
Noah Lyles
Noah Lyles tapped Kessie to take his fashion off of the track to the next level and the 2024 screening for the Netflix series “Speed” meant that he could command an entrance. A crisp off-white ensemble was far from understated, keeping all eyes on Lyles during a flashy Times Square presentation.

A$AP Ferg
In a collaborative relationship that dates back to the 2018 Met Gala, A$AP Ferg and Kessie continue to tie fashion to their Harlem roots and often use their neighborhood as a backdrop to reflect style that is uniquely Uptown.

Evans Chebet and Tamirat Tola
While most distance runners are rarely seen outside of the standard issue kit of a singlet, shorts and shoes, Evans Chebet and Tamirat Tola stepped outside of race gear and onto the busy streets for shoot styled by Kessie. Just days later, all three would run the the 2024 New York City Marathon. Chebet was second in 2:07:45, while Tola — the Paris Olympic marathon champion — finished fourth in 2:08:12.

Noah Lyles
Leading up to the 2023 New York Grand Prix, Lyles and Kessie never crossed paths but suddenly tasked with finding a look that would make a statement. The result was a viral moment that was part of the show before the show inside of the Icahn Stadium.