game-recap-storm-vs-liberty-7-6-25

Game Recap: Storm vs. Liberty (7/6/25)

game-recap-storm-vs-dream-7-3-25

Game Recap: Storm vs. Dream (7/3/25)

Before stepping into the 2025 Draft, the wavy walls of the modern, multi-level building foreshadowed a new era of player style on the Orange Carpet. While last year's draft introduced style surprises, like Rickea Jackson’s suit change before her selection, this year's draftees are delivering new takes on show-stopping style.&nbsp;
League-certified stylists are quickly teaming up with the latest talent, like Golden with Saniya Rivers; Sydney Bordonaro with Aziaha James; and Marc Desir with Deja Kelly. While these stylists are known for elevating their players’ aesthetics, working with draftees provides a rare opportunity for greater experimentation. Other notable stylist notes include Madison Scott teaming up with Liatu King, a current Notre Dame Women's Basketball Player; and Sania Feagin, who proudly credited her mom with choosing her shiny, white gown.&nbsp;

Madison Scott, Saniya Rivers' purse, Hailey Van Lith, and Aneesah Morrow pictured on the 2025 WNBA Draft Orange Carpet 

#1 DRAFT 2025 TRENDS

Madison Scott and Dominique Malonga pose on the 2025 WNBA Draft Orange Carpet 

#2 DRAFT 2025 TRENDS

Tina Thompson pictured in her 1997 WNBA Draft outfit, alongside Allisha Gray, and Nika Mühl during the 2025 WNBA Draft Orange Carpet.

#3 DRAFT 2025 TRENDS

Hailey Van Lith, Paige Bueckers, Aneesah Morrow and Sonia Citron pictured posing on the 2025 WNBA Draft Orange Carpet

#4 DRAFT 2025 TRENDS

A selection of custom Coach looks confirms the role of a player’s draft outfit as the first piece of storytelling around their personality– even when players rock the same brand, the resulting carpet is extremely diverse. Organizing style at the 2025 Draft into three major trends, these looks introduce this class’ style staples and unique approaches to one-of-one customization. 1. FULL SUITS

Since Tina Thompson's gray suit at the inaugural 1997 WNBA draft, players have confirmed that a full suit is a timeless option. This year, Madison Scott modernizes an AMIRI suit with a custom #24 piece from Johnny Dang with the help of stylist Liatu King, a current Notre Dame Women's Basketball Player. Dominique Malonga utilizes her Louis Vuitton suit's construction to pay homage to her French heritage.Current players who also appeared on the Orange Carpet in suits include Allisha Gray and Nika Mühl, who represents her Croatian heritage with a suit by y/GIA. 2. STATEMENT PURSES

While past players have opted to keep their hands free from purses, this year's draft outfits expands upon the idea of a statement purse. Working with Russell Westbrook as her stylist, Georgia Amoore debuts an "H" shaped purse to finish her Honor the Gift look.Saniya Rivers catches everyone's attention with a hand-painted "THE WNBA BEEN POPPIN" message on a collaborative purse by Saturday House and her stylist, Golden. From the actual suit to the details, Golden envisioned something "one of one that was curated just for [Rivers].” Transforming carpet-ready sparkle into something more abstract, Sarah Ashlee Barker wears a metallic Cult Gaia purse.

3. CUSTOM BRAND LOOKS Orange Carpet looks are typically rooted in contemporary inspiration, but Hailey Van Lith stands out for bringing vintage glam to her custom Coach look. Stylist Victoria Jacobi adds that the dress features "20s inspired beading" and a "corset to enhance and modernize the vibe."Several draftees welcomed Coach's new partnership with the WNBA, but each player's custom look is highly reflective of their personality. Paige Bueckers wears a sparkly wool suit with an oversized bag; Aneesah Morrow wears a cropped black leather jacket with a dress; and Sonia Citron pairs her preppy set with white socks.

WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle & fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

Before stepping into the 2025 Draft, the wavy walls of the modern, multi-level building foreshadowed a new era of player style on the Orange Carpet. While last year&#8217;s draft introduced style surprises, like Rickea Jackson’s suit change before her selection, this year&#8217;s draftees are delivering new takes on show-stopping style.&nbsp;
League-certified stylists are quickly teaming up with the latest talent, like <a href="https://www.instagram.com/itsgoldenpiecee/">Golden</a> with Saniya Rivers; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sbordonaro21">Sydney Bordonaro</a> with Aziaha James; and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/marcmogul/">Marc Desir</a> with Deja Kelly. While these stylists are known for elevating their players’ aesthetics, working with draftees provides a rare opportunity for greater experimentation. Other notable stylist notes include Madison Scott teaming up with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/liatu.king/">Liatu King</a>, a current Notre Dame Women&#8217;s Basketball Player; and Sania Feagin, who proudly credited her mom with choosing her shiny, white gown.&nbsp;





A selection of custom Coach looks confirms the role of a player’s draft outfit as the first piece of storytelling around their personality– even when players rock the same brand, the resulting carpet is extremely diverse. Organizing style at the 2025 Draft into three major trends, these looks introduce this class’ style staples and unique approaches to one-of-one customization. 1. FULL SUITS



Since Tina Thompson&#8217;s gray suit at the inaugural 1997 WNBA draft, players have confirmed that a full suit is a timeless option. This year, Madison Scott modernizes an AMIRI suit with a custom #24 piece from Johnny Dang with the help of stylist Liatu King, a current Notre Dame Women&#8217;s Basketball Player. Dominique Malonga utilizes her Louis Vuitton suit&#8217;s construction to pay homage to her French heritage. Current players who also appeared on the Orange Carpet in suits include Allisha Gray and Nika Mühl, who represents her Croatian heritage with a suit by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/y_gia/">y/GIA</a>. 2. STATEMENT PURSES



While past players have opted to keep their hands free from purses, this year&#8217;s draft outfits expands upon the idea of a statement purse. Working with Russell Westbrook as her stylist, Georgia Amoore debuts an &#8220;H&#8221; shaped purse to finish her Honor the Gift look. Saniya Rivers catches everyone&#8217;s attention with a hand-painted &#8220;THE WNBA BEEN POPPIN&#8221; message on a collaborative purse by<a href="https://www.instagram.com/saturdayhouse/"> Saturday House</a> and her stylist, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/itsgoldenpiecee/">Golden</a>. From the actual suit to the details, Golden envisioned something &#8220;one of one that was curated just for [Rivers].” Transforming carpet-ready sparkle into something more abstract, Sarah Ashlee Barker wears a metallic <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cultgaia/">Cult Gaia</a> purse. 



3. CUSTOM BRAND LOOKS Orange Carpet looks are typically rooted in contemporary inspiration, but Hailey Van Lith stands out for bringing vintage glam to her custom Coach look. Stylist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/countonvic/">Victoria Jacobi </a>adds that the dress features &#8220;20s inspired beading&#8221; and a &#8220;corset to enhance and modernize the vibe.&#8221;Several draftees welcomed Coach&#8217;s <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/coach-wnba-partnership">new partnership with the WNBA</a>, but each player&#8217;s custom look is highly reflective of their personality. Paige Bueckers wears a sparkly wool suit with an oversized bag; Aneesah Morrow wears a cropped black leather jacket with a dress; and Sonia Citron pairs her preppy set with white socks.



WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle &amp; fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.

WNBA_Draft_2025_SF_CMYK_DkBkgd (1)

the-w-in-designer-three-style-trends-at-the-2025-draft

The W in Designer: Three Style Trends at the 2025 Draft

NEW YORK (AP) — The <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-2025-draft-paige-bueckers-a28fac1f8159d889ce385339717ab987" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">WNBA draft</a> has increasingly become a platform for more than just athleticism — it is a celebration of identity, heritage, culture, and self-expression.
<a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-draft-paige-bueckers-geno-0fbfad69c93f09d6cb6e222928372cfc" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Paige Bueckers</a> may have been the No. 1 pick, but it was Kiki Iriafen who arguably stole the show when it came to fashion. Even Bueckers herself said Iriafen had the best look of the night.
Iriafen, drafted fourth overall by the Washington Mystics, is a forward who just wrapped up her senior season at USC, where she averaged 18 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. On the orange carpet, she made a statement — one rooted deeply in her Nigerian heritage.
“I’m Nigerian so I wanted to work with a Nigerian designer,” she said. “I was really adamant. I want a slip. I want the waist snapped. I can’t really breathe. I wanted to feel good, I wanted to look good.”
Future stars are using draft night as more than an opportunity to step into the spotlight for their talent on the court, but to use the moment to honor where they come from, showcase who they are beyond the jersey, and make powerful statements through fashion, family, and tradition.
Iriafen wore a custom, shimmering gold dress embellished with intricate detailing, designed by Nigerian designer Nneka Alexander — who also created Chiney Ogwumike’s wedding gown. To complete the look, Iriafen wore a traditional orange-beaded Nigerian bracelet, seamlessly blending modern glam with cultural pride.
The 6-foot-3 Iriafen was not alone.
Dominique Malonga, the gifted 6-6 forward from France and the second overall pick by the Seattle Storm, brought a piece of home with her. She stepped out in a sleek suit designed by none other than Louis Vuitton — one of France’s, and the world’s, most iconic fashion houses.
“A huge collaboration between them,” Malonga said. “I’m like a simple, classic person.”
Still, she made it clear that while her style might be understated, her game is anything but. As a forward, she knows she can do it all. At just 19, she’s already been playing high-level basketball overseas for four years.
Malonga wasn’t the only Storm player showcasing her roots on the orange carpet. Seattle Storm point guard and former UConn Husky Nika Muhl also proudly embraced her Croatian heritage
“I came all the way from Croatia to be here,” Muhl said. “I had to bring Croatia with me.”
Muhl was wearing a black pantsuit with a black crop top underneath, complemented by a chain of keys draped across her body. The entire look was designed by Croatian brand Y/GIA and styled by a Croatian stylist.
Even the players who couldn’t attend the draft found ways to let their identities shine.
Te-Hina Paopao, the sharp-shooting South Carolina guard, was selected 18th overall by the Atlanta Dream. Appearing on TV from her draft party, she wore a traditional Samoan dress, along with several flower lei around her neck—symbolic necklaces in Samoan culture that honor and celebrate.
“I am so blessed to be Samoan,” said Paopao. “When you think of Samoan culture you think of family and I am so ready to bring that culture to Atlanta.”
And family was definitely present — about 300 people gathered behind her at her draft party in California, a powerful visual of support and pride.
As they step into the professional spotlight, they carry with them not just their skills, but the pride of their families, their communities, and their cultures. The future of the WNBA isn’t just about basketball; it’s about creating a space where every player can be their true, authentic self—on the court and beyond.

LatestDominique Malonga

Game Recap: Storm vs. Liberty (7/6/25)

Game Recap: Storm vs. Dream (7/3/25)

The W in Designer: Three Style Trends at the 2025 Draft

Fashion, Heritage and Talent: Players turn the WNBA draft into a cultural showcase