September 19, 2022
A historic year for sports stars to bring their strength and beauty to the catwalk.
While players from the Las Vegas Aces and Connecticut Sun squared off in the WNBA Finals, other players set their sights on New York Fashion Week. From September 9 to 14, independent designers and major sportswear brands are scheduled for exciting runway shows, performances and hard-to-get parties. Riding the fashion momentum of the 2022 season, several players walked their first shows and were seen in highly coveted front-row seats. Offering a unique opportunity for exposure that is outside of the sporting realm, the latest edition of New York Fashion Week proves that female athletes have an undeniable influence on style.
Historically, female WNBA players have not been invited into the world of high fashion as often as their male counterparts. Her presence at past Fashion Weeks is rare to find, apart from Skylar Diggins-Smith, who was seen walking shows in 2014. As more designers and brands look to expand female identity through clothing, it’s a fitting opportunity. for WNBA players to join the fashion conversation at last. Since designers plan custom accessories for their catwalk, the slight differences in height between the sample sizes of the players and the models are not noticeable; it is difficult to identify Isabelle Harrison, Katie Lou Samuelson and DiDi Richards, among the other models.
“The WNBA is the most expressive and progressive league in the world. Players know exactly who they are and how they want to express themselves. The tunnel suits helped perpetuate that, and I see player confidence growing year after year. His style, his fashion choices, his conscious effort for STUNT is great,” he says. ari cameras, “It naturally lends itself to the blurred line between fashion and sport.” Celebrating the pioneering quality of New York Fashion Week, here’s a roundup of WNBA players (and one female broadcaster) with an undeniable impact on the future of high fashion and sports.
Isabelle Harrison Closes Kim Shui Fashion Show
Making her first runway debut, the Dallas Wings player Elizabeth Harrison close the kim shui Spring/Summer 23 show with a silky dress. Continuing their relationship, where Shui created custom outfits for Harrison with Jordan Brand, the dynamic duo met at Grand Terminal Station for a couture event. Although the player recently sprained her ankle, she strutted down the runway with an undeniable sense of confidence as she wore Shui’s armor-inspired designs. With each model showcasing Kim Shui’s multi-dimensional brand girl identity, Harrison brings a rare blend of beauty and exceptional basketball athleticism.
Katie Lou Samuelson Spreads Positivity at PUMA’s Futrograde Show
Signing a multi-year deal with PUMA in 2019, Los Angeles Sparks player Katie Lou Samuelson was seen on the track COUGAR Future show. Exploring PUMA’s sportswear heritage and futuristic applications of technology, Samuelson dressed in a classic mustard-colored outfit with colorful hair accessories and a pair of white PUMA sneakers. Sitting at the intersection of sports and fashion, the show invited Samuelson and other athletes like Usain Bolt and Kyle Kuzma to take part as models. Pushing these athletes out of their comfort zones, it’s exciting to see a sports brand and its ambassadors in an unfamiliar and very stylish setting.
Lexie Brown and Michaela Onyen were seeing DiDi Richards at Dur Doux
Working in partnership with the WNBA, Dur Doux guest didi richards walk in his show and lexie brown Y Michaela Onyenwere to sit in the front row. By elevating athletes to the most visually important parts of their catwalk presentation, Dur Doux represents how hard and soft qualities can appear in fashion. Founded by a unique mother-daughter duo, Dur Doux dressed Richards in a bright orange maxi dress, gold bracelets and seashell hoop earrings. While the brand’s DNA is found in the tropical settings of Florida, its flowing look suits the chic vibes of New York Fashion Week.
Ari Chambers represents Brittney Griner at KA Originals Runway
Taking place on a sunny rooftop in New York’s Soho neighborhood, ka originals made its debut at Fashion Week. presenting ari cameras, an on-camera talent and co-host of the weekly WNBA, as one of her models, the looks combine founder Kristine Anigwe’s affinity for ultra-chic materials with sporty references. as he was captured by Charles Spears Y Derrick Lockett, Chambers wears a backwards Brittney Griner number 42 jersey with structured leather pants and a long coat. “There’s something very symbolic about elevating Brittney Griner as she stands on a raised stage during Fashion Week,” Chambers shares. Presented under the programming of independent design platform Flying Solo, KA Originals continues its neutral color palette with a full collection of dazzling looks.
Natasha Cloud Acrobatics in LUAR and Kim Shui
run inside natasha cloud in the LUAR Y kim shui runway shows, the Washington Mystics player mingles with New York City locals in a variety of edgy all-black outfits. Cloud’s natural sense of style can be seen in all of the players’ pregame outfits for this season, and her friendly personality led to epic mix-and-match moments at New York Fashion Week. In addition to showing her support for Harrison on the Kim Shui runway, Cloud used the week to introduce streetwear-approved hats, like a Prada bucket hat and an interesting black and white checkered hat.
Charli Collier sweeps the launch of the Sergio Hudson collection
Dallas Wings Player Charlie Collier was also seen in New York in sergio hudson’s launch of the collection in a silky teal suit. When she was the number one draft pick in the 2021 WNBA season, Collier wore a custom Sergio Hudson dress to the virtual draft. Continuing her relationship with the brand, Collier brings her natural strength and beauty to the brand’s event. Sergio Hudson’s latest collection features bright solid colors in fun shapes like mini dresses and collared tops that tie at the waist.
WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle and fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at @hotgothwriter. The opinions on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.
Source: www.wnba.com