Kyle Lowry puts down fashion roots

Toronto Raptor point guard creates a capsule menswear collection with Canadian retailer

In a game setting, Kyle Lowry has been called relentless. A bulldog. The backbone of the Toronto Raptors.

Off the court, the 6-foot-tall, 29-year-old point guard is a stylish husband and dad with the swagger befitting a multimillionaire athlete — and he’s bringing that style to the fashion world.

It’s a Monday night and the Raptors star is on-site at Roots flagship store on Bloor St. W. for the official launch of his clothing collaboration with the Canadian retailer.

Posing for photos, he takes it in stride as a Roots rep swaps pieces from the Toronto-centric collection. On goes a hand-knit sweater, a black hoodie, a toque emblazoned with a network of Toronto streets.

Lowry slips the toque on and tilts it back, giving it a trendy flop — no stylist required — before locking his gaze on something across the store.

There’s no question: Lowry gets fashion. This year, he was spotted in the front row at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto. And when Roots came knocking, it was an easy decision.

The partnership, Lowry says, is “a match made in heaven.”

“When we first met Kyle, he told us how much he loved Roots and we love working with winners so the collaboration made a lot of sense for us,” Roots designer Adrian Aitcheson said.

The nine-piece, made-in-Canada menswear collection in sizes XS to XXL is available starting this weekend on the Roots website and in select stores, the company says.

“I wanted to give a little Toronto feel to it,” Lowry said of the line inspired by his adopted city. He’s originally from Philadelphia, but has called Toronto home since joining the Raptors in 2012. And reportedly re-signed to a four-year, $48-million contract last year.

“The thing about the city is, I love how different it is. You’ve got different places, different cultures. It’s not about seeing one part of downtown. It’s about seeing ’Sauga, and everywhere in the GTA,” a relaxed Lowry added while perched on a Roots display table.

“I wanted to give a little Toronto feel to it. The thing about the city is, I love how different it is.” KYLE LOWRY TORONTO RAPTORS

The collection is mostly basic black but has, as Lowry put it, a “little bit of flair.”

The items are also named after areas in Toronto — Palmerston Blvd. in the west end and Mill St. in the Distillery District — places close to Lowry’s heart. He likes shopping in Yorkville and taking Karter, his young son, with wife Ayahna Cornish-Lowry, to hot spots such as the CN Tower.

The city’s street network is woven into several of the designs, including a toque ($38) and a limited edition hand-knit sweater ($598) — only 30 were made.

Lowry says the collection reflects his personal style, but you might even find your own street in the designs.

“It’s made for the city of Toronto,” he said.

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR Raptors star Kyle Lowry launched his Roots x Kyle Lowry collection of athleisure wear at the retailer’s flagship store on Bloor St. W.

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR Raptors star Kyle Lowry, right, launched his collection at Roots on Bloor St. TFC star Sebastian Giovinco made an appearance and talked to Lowry about his experience helping to design the clothing.

CLOTHES COURTESY ROOTS Mowat Polartec hoody, $224. Black hoody in breathable, moisturewicking fabric with full zipper.

Mowat Polartec sweatpants, $158. Breathable black sweatpants with drawstring at the waist.

Palmerston sweater, $598. Hand-knit wool, black collared sweater with street network design.

Scollard T-shirt, $58. Long-sleeve shirt with ‘Roots X Kyle Lowry’ down each sleeve.

Adelaide T-shirt, $50. Black T-shirt featuring grey street network design on the back.

Market toque, $38. Black toque with pom-pom and grey street network design.