The Village Behind NBA Rookie’s Purple Draft Night Suit
Boston, MA (June 26, 2023) - 9Tailors Boston made an unmissable custom purple suit for first-round NBA Draft pick, Olivier-Maxence Prosper. “O-Max” has distinguished himself in the industry not only by his sheer skill, but also by an unmatched determination that drives his success. Thus, an equally determined vision for a special suit for the big night came as no surprise to Prosper’s cousin, Jeff Lahens, owner of custom clothier, 9Tailors. The mandate: a uniquely striking purple, to honor O-Max’s mother.
Just weeks before Draft Night, O-Max’s packed schedule included the NBA Combine and traveling to workout/interview with prospective teams. Flexibility for in-person design or fitting appointments—the typical demands of a custom suiting project—were out of the question. Moreover, no standard shade of purple was meeting the desired goal. These challenges compounded by a tight deadline moved Prosper’s family to action. Under the instruction of long-time suiting specialist Lahens, OMax’s parents and friends assumed roles as stylists and tailors on the road, to bring the passion project to life.
The family worked through video calls and texts at all hours, helping materialize the special look to perfectly convey O-Max’s classic style and humble personality. Under Lahens’s guidance from Boston, OMax’s measurements were taken via video call after a team workout in LA, by Prosper’s father, Gaetan. Jeff and the 9Tailors team rushed the order under three weeks, a near impossibility in the sartorial space. And just days before the draft Lahens met O-Max in NYC for his fitting, where father Gaetan earned his bragging rights for taking excellent measurements. By nothing short of a miracle, the compelling purple suit fit almost perfectly, with just minor alterations required before the big night. The family and community that saw Prosper through to his big moment were proudly represented through O-Max’s one-of-a-kind suit for all the world to see. That special purple piece immortalizes the enduring efforts of a village and the reaping of all 0livier-Maxence Prosper has sewn.
“O-Max did his part to earn his spot to get an invitation to the NBA Draft. I understood the assignment: that it was both my privilege and duty to make sure that he looked his absolute best on the most memorable day of his life thus far. ” - Jeff Lahens, 9Tailors Boston CEO/Owner
About Jeff Lahens
Jeff Lahens, named “godfather of menswear in Boston”, is the shop owner and CEO of 9Tailors. A highly celebrated retail and fashion professional who has been featured in local media including WBUR. He teaches consumer behavior classes at Lasell University. His 15 years of experience in managing retail and fashion marketing teams includes Co-Founding ECC Life & Style. Jeff Lahens venerated career includes dressing notable names in professional sports such as Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, Jarvis Green, David Ortiz, Bill Self, Jerod Mayo, Tom Thibodeau, Michael Longardadi, Tyler Hansbrough, Taylor Twellman and more.
About Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Olivier-Maxence Prosper is the son of Guylaine Blanchette and Gaetan Prosper, Jeff Lahens’ first cousin. “O-Max”, the former Marquette University forward is the newest rookie of the Dallas Mavericks, achieving his lifelong dream to play in the NBA by way of hardwork and a “never-settle” attitude. He has the support system of his mother, Coach Gylaine, his father Gaetan, his uncle Coach Gerces Prosper, and his sister Cassandre Prosper, guard at the University of Notre Dame.
