BANANA REPUBLIC ATHLETICS | A Portfolio by Micaiah Carter

To mark the debut of Banana Republic Athletics, we invited American photographer Micaiah Carter to capture the collection. A celebrated lensman, Carter’s work captivates audiences with its honesty and raw emotion, showcasing his subjects in a way that’s equal parts nostalgic and of-the-moment.  

Carter photographed four artists who inspire us in Brooklyn, New York, with each subject putting their own individual twist on club sport style. Discover their interviews below.  

LEON XU, painter, chose our BR Athletics Cashmere Sweater Vest and Pleated Pant

You’re an artist. What’s your medium?  

I'm mostly a painter. But I also take photos and I dabble in other stuff too.  

What are the codes of your personal style?   

I put together my look based on feeling. Emotions influence how I dress. I want to feel good in my style.  

Name a time where you tapped into your rebellious spirit.  

I always find a way to tap into my individuality by challenging what’s expected and doing things my own way.  

Describe the collection in three words.   

Clean, Poppy. And clashing. 

You're an artist. What's your medium?

I'm a writer. I journal and write daily. I also dance, hip hop dancing and tap dancing.

What are the established codes of your personal style? 

My style is more of a chic, feminine, modern, classic type. 

Describe your art and passion. How do they impact your personal style?  

I grew up writing and dancing, things that were out of the norm in my circle. Wearing clothes I feel comfortable in is another way of expressing myself. I write a lot. I write random things about my life or things that go on in the world. When I get older, I can go back and reflect on all the amazing things I’ve done. 

Describe this collection in three words. 

Eye-opening. Unique. And...is flabbergasted one? Can flabbergasted be one? [Laughs]

CAVIĒR COLEMAN, painter, chose our BR Athletics Clubhouse Blazer, Zip Polo and Pleated Pant

You're an artist. What's your medium?

I'm a painter, photographer, and musician. 

This collection is all about breaking the rules, traditional or otherwise. How did you approach this when putting together your look or selecting your favorite items from the collection? 

When I was putting this [look] together, I thought, “How could I connect the dots with me being abstract, but also with the textures and color?” I felt that these pieces are very regal, but still have a sense of edge. As a creative, I like to walk the line between being fashionable and abstract, putting together textures and colors that connect the dots.  

Traditionally, club sports culture has not been inclusive. How do you create community and inclusion in your own style? 

I mean, with me wearing these clothes, I wanted to invite a sense of me being a man from Detroit, Michigan. I wanted to create inclusivity through fashion, bringing together my urban background with clothes that have a sense of something elegant. 

Describe this collection in three words. 

Bold. Elegant. Rich.

KOI KING, writer and painter, chose our BR Athletics Clubhouse Blazer and Pleated Midi Skirt