Versace Partners with NBA Legend Dwyane Wade for New Luxury Sunglasses Campaign: Why It Makes Sense for His Post-Basketball Career

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^{Credit: @dwyanewade on Instagram}

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Even after retiring, the NBA's biggest basketball stars stay in the spotlight. Take Michael Jordan, who's one of the greatest players in the sport's history. Despite leaving the Chicago Bulls in 2003, he stays fresh in public memory through interactions with basketball celebs like Isaiah Thomas and his partnerships with big names like Nike and Gatorade. There's also the iconic Shaquille O'Neal. Today, he uses his expertise in his work as a sports analyst—and, of course, Shaq remains a prominent public figure best known for towering at a height of 7"1, making his own music, and appearing in various TV shows, movies, and video games.

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Dwyane Wade is no exception. Today, he has an illustrious career as an entrepreneur and brand ambassador. The latest achievement under his belt? A second collaboration with Versace to launch the brand's luxury sunglasses for 2024. Here's more about Wade and Versace—and why furthering their partnership makes sense for Wade's burgeoning post-basketball career.

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All about Dwyane

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^{Credit: @dwyanewade on Instagram}

Dwyane Wade is probably most defined by the success he found playing for major teams like the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout his 16-year stint in the NBA, he won an MVP distinction and a whopping 13 selections for All-Star games, winning three of them. He's even earned bronze and gold medals alongside Team USA in two Olympics and a FIBA World Championship. In 2023, he was inducted into the NBA's Hall of Fame.

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^{Credit: @wadecellars on Instagram}

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After retiring from basketball in 2019, Wade went on to build an especially impressive entrepreneurial career. Inspired by his daughter, he and his wife, Gabrielle Union, founded Proudly—a baby-care line formulated by dermatologists of color for darker skin. He's also the proud owner of Wade Cellars, a brand that aims to diversify the industry by offering both affordable and high-end wines from the best Napa Valley has to offer.

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^{Credit: @dwyanewade on Instagram}

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Wade isn't a stranger to brand deals, either. He's arguably most famous for releasing his own shoes with Li-Ning sneakers, which are known for being foremost among Chinese offerings thanks to their innovative designs. The brand's most recent collaboration with the basketball legend resulted in the launch of the Way of Wade 11s. These sneakers mark the success of Wade's extended partnership with Li-Ning, which dates all the way back to 2012. That's why it makes so much sense for the retired athlete to continue his other long-standing deals, including the one with Versace.

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Becoming a member of the Versace family

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‍^{Credit: @versace on Instagram}

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Versace is an Italian fashion house whose offerings—which range from ready-to-wear clothes and bags to accessories—are synonymous with style and luxury. When it comes to brand endorsements, though, it especially emphasizes its eyewear. Versace sunglasses are known for bold, distinctive designs for both men and women that leverage the iconic Medusa logo and use new, unexpected materials.

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^{Credit: @colesprouse on Instagram}

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More importantly, they're famous for drawing inspiration from various sources. One great example is the Versace Biggie sunglasses, which were influenced by iconic '90s rapper The Notorious B.I.G. From there, the brand calls on its various brand ambassadors—including actor Cole Sprouse and singer Dua Lipa—to add their own take on its bestselling sunglasses when releasing new collections.

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^{Credit: @dwyanewade on Instagram}

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It's no wonder Versace tapped on Dwyane Wade to join the Versace family in 2023. That's when he became the face of the brand's men's eyewear collection, helping launch three new aviator frames boasting gold details and the Medusa logo on the temples. Wade's since worn them to various red-carpet events and even online promotions of his own brands, which may have prompted this opportunity for a second collaboration.

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Sporting Versace's 2024 luxury sunglasses

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Almost exactly a year after he first posed for photographer Mario Sorrenti, Wade is back donning Versace's new releases for 2024. Now, he's boasting rectangular frames with more eccentric designs—including tortoiseshell patterns, bold white streaks, and splashes of neon blue. They're also made of recycled acetate, marking a sustainability that aligns with Wade's ventures to do social good.

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^{Credit: @versace on Instagram}

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In fact, the basketball star's eagerness to take on this second collaboration goes beyond wanting to extend his partnership with the luxury brand and improve his net worth. In an interview with Esquire upon the release of his first Versace campaign, he noted it's also about diversity and representation. Despite his unique height and physique, he wants to show people that anyone can rock a good pair of sunglasses as part of a well-styled outfit, even if they don't look like the average fashion model. It's ultimately a win-win situation that gives him exposure, boosts his influence, and inspires the people who follow him—which is why this new collaboration makes so much sense for Dwyane Wade's post-basketball career.