Sport, Artistry, and Identity: KYRIE IRVING AND ANTA UNVEIL HÉLÀ SEASON 2
Dallas Mavericks PG Kyrie Irving may be recovering from a torn ACL, but he is very active in the fashion world. Partnering with ANTA – a Chinese-founded sportswear company – once more, Kyrie Irving has expanded his creative universe with HÉLÀ Season 2 and HÉLÀ Code. Mixing functionality with storytelling and heritage with cultural leadership, Irving has created a collection that fits seamlessly into any closet and any lifestyle.
Kyrie Irving’s Foray Into Fashion
Kyrie Irving joined ANTA in 2024 as Chief Creative Director of ANTA Basketball. Since signing the 5-year, $125 million contract, he’s launched the HÉLÀ line of clothing and shoes, a direct reference to his Native American ancestry. Irving’s mother was a member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe, and after years of exploring his heritage, Irving participated in a naming ceremony in Cannon Ball, North Dakota in 2018. Irving was given the Lakota name Hélà, meaning “Little Mountain.” Hélà has since become the name of Irving’s collections, a tribute to his heritage and an influence on his creativity.
When he’s not working on his designs, Kyrie Irving can be found on a basketball court. Though a torn-ACL means he’s sidelined for the rest of the year, he has a long history of achievements behind him and a still bright future ahead of him. He is currently signed to the Dallas Mavericks, and is expected to make his return to the court after the ’25-26 season.
A Brief History of ANTA
ANTA Sports got its start in 1991 and was founded by Ding Shizshong. The 2008 Beijing Olympics catapulted the company into stardom, allowing them to expand their business internationally. Since then, ANTA has signed a number of athletes such as Klay Thompson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Kenenisa Bekele. ANTA has surpassed Nike in sales in China, and purchased Salomon, another trendy sneaker brand that has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. ANTA remains a steady, yet underestimated opponent in the sneaker market.
THE HÉLÀ CODE
Central to HÉLÀ’s newest drop is the HÉLÀ Code sneaker line. The shoes are the embodiment of Irving’s creative philosophy – a combination of sport, artistry, and identity. The collection is aptly named, as the collection’s five unique colorways represent a variation of the HÉLÀ Code.
The holy trinity of this collection, the HÉLÀ Code, is divided into three main parts: Kairoglyphics, Astral Eye, and Monotone Codes. Kairoglyphics is representative of the “regal grace of a pharaoh whose reign is rooted in love, vision, and power.” Astral Eye represents clarity and transformation, and “turning the grind of daily life into an astral journey of flow and higher purpose.” Monotone Codes focuses more on the versatility of simplicity while “honoring the strength of legacy and grounding.”
Astral Eye is a burst of color with hints of purple and blue, offset by yellow tones and paint splatters. The shoes are undoubtedly fun, with a mix of patterns and oversized laces adorned with a tag stamped with the Irving Family Camo, a pattern central to the collection that represents Kyrie’s closest loved ones.
Images courtesy of ANTA.
Astral Eye isn’t the only sneaker to feature the special camo; Papyrus White, Ink of Kairo, and Stone Craft each feature it as well. Papyrus White is a stunning white sneaker with the Irving Family Camo stamped in black on the tongue.
Images courtesy of ANTA
Ink of Kairo is a solid black sneaker with an embossed headdress-inspired patterning, and Stone Craft is a not-quite-beige shade with similar patterning.
Images courtesy of ANTA
Kaioglyphics is the star of the show however, with earthy tones of yellow and brown paired with a stunning red.
Images courtesy of ANTA
The design features Kai Code hieroglyphics – a nod to Irving’s pharaoh and creativity – and brown boot leather hits. The sneaker’s hang tag is stamped with the Irving Family Camo.
HELA Season 2 Apparel
Alongside the release of the HÉLÀ Code shoe line is a collection of clothing that offers both fashion and function. Season 2 builds apparel around three guiding pillars: Resilience, Provision, and Metamorphosis. The collection features oversized silhouettes and bold colors like Earthen Clay, Ember Orange, and Feather Blue. There is intention behind every piece, with each color tied to a pillar.
HÉLÀ Season 2 focuses on adaptability, with jumpsuits that can be deconstructed into shorts while puffers feature vests that can be added or removed based on the weather. There is an emphasis on transformation, with pieces that can be mixed, matched, and layered for a more personal effect. Some of the pieces feature the Irving Family Camo, while others feature unique, tribal designs.
A Release to Look Forward To
Kyrie Irving is set to release HÉLÀ Season 2 and HÉLÀ Code on September 12, 2025. The release comes during New York Fashion Week and will welcome guests for a public experience from 1:00PM to 5:00PM. We look forward to seeing the collection in its totality.
Craving more fashion, style, and glam? Check out EnVi’s style guide with girl group BINI here!
