NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns and model Jordyn Woods have teamed up with Target for an exciting new collaboration.

Fresh off their historic NBA championship win, the New York Knicks have captured the attention and excitement of the city, and it seems everyone wants to jump on the basketball bandwagon. This includes retail giant Target, who has just announced their new partnership with Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and his fiancée, entrepreneur and influencer Jordyn Woods. According to Inc.com, Towns and Woods will be joining Target's "Curated By" program, which allows celebrities, athletes, and influencers to handpick their favorite products.

This exciting collaboration comes amidst the ongoing celebrations of the Knicks' first NBA championship win in over 50 years. In a statement, Towns expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, "It's been a minute since New York had a summer this good. These are my favorite Target finds to celebrate." His collection reflects a nostalgic summer theme and includes fun items like Bicycle playing cards, Uno Retro, disposable cameras, and blue-and-orange Gatorade products that pay tribute to the Knicks' iconic colors.

On the other hand, Woods, the founder of the popular fashion and lifestyle brand Woods by Jordyn, curated a beauty-focused assortment that includes everyday essentials and cosmetics like Aquaphor Healing Ointment, Vaseline Creme Brulee Cutie Lip Balm, Maybelline liquid eyeliner, NYX lip liner, and L'Oreal Infallible Setting Spray. The big reveal of this exciting partnership took place at Target's SoHo concept store in Manhattan, where Towns and Woods appeared in person. Woods even sported her famous orange purse, which many fans believe to be the Knicks' lucky charm during their championship run.

The purse has become a cultural sensation, selling out online and now even being displayed at the prestigious Guggenheim Museum, as reported by the New York Post. This collaboration is part of Target's efforts to further engage with their customers and drive traffic through influencer-led merchandising. It also highlights their commitment to reconnecting with consumers after facing criticism for scaling back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

The timing of this announcement also comes after the recent backlash faced by hip-hop mogul Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter, who partnered with Target to release an exclusive 30th-anniversary collector's edition of his iconic album "Reasonable Doubt." This decision received criticism from some who questioned Carter's choice to work with Target, as the retailer has faced boycotts from Black civic and religious leaders over their DEI-related controversies. In a related story, LGBTQ+ consumers have been shifting their spending away from major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon towards more inclusive brands. This serves as a reminder to companies like Target to prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their partnerships and initiatives, as it is a crucial factor for many consumers in their purchasing decisions.