The W in Designer '24: A Style Spotlight for Black-Owned Brands
As the league recognizes Juneteenth this week, these celebrations are bolstered by WNBA players who continuously celebrate Black and African American freedom, culture, and empowerment through their style. Transforming tunnel outfits into a moment for powerful representation, players support a wide range of Black-owned brands and designers: graphic t-shirts from local, up-and-coming streetwear brands; popular purses or pieces from sporty, nationwide favorites; and bespoke creations from independent designers.
Although these Black-owned brands are worn by players of all backgrounds, there’s a standout quality when players wear their personal heritage on their sleeves. In celebration of Juneteenth, here’s a round-up of players with an exceptional eye for elevating Black-owned brands:
Kahleah Copper, working with stylists Marc Desir and Vna Gudino, has styled Black-owned brands into loungey, luxe combinations. Copper has paired a “Tupac Tuxedo Shirt” by RHYAN&RHYSE, a couple who specializes in handmade garments, with oversized denim pants from not thompson. She’s also become one of many, many players who use a TELFAR purse for her game-day essentials.
Dallas Wings player Arike Ogunbowale has maintained a season-to-season loyalty for her favorite Black-owned streetwear brands. Selecting a bold color theme for each outfit, her graphic t-shirts and hoodies from Do Not Disturb by Ferris are mixed with mesh jerseys from PHASE.
Ogunbowale also joins players like Sug Sutton and Alyssa Thomas, styled by Marisa Ripepi, who find modern, unisex styles from Russell Westbrook’s brand, Honor The Gift. Inspired by Westbrook’s powerful journey with basketball, the brand offers elevated basics and physical representations of Black excellence.
As a proud Nigerian-American player, Michaela Onyenwere found this “Naija Varsity” jacket by Jess For The Culture to share her heritage with an academic twist– extra points for the array of pins on her tie! Jordan Horston wears a similar letterman jacket by SUPA SENSE, a Black artist-owned brand with futuristic references.
Celebrating the importance of Black hair and beauty culture, players like Sydney Colson, and stylist Amadi Brooks, bring the salon walls to the tunnel with this set by Sheila Rashid, a Chicago-based designer. Lexie Brown wears a “Cultural Expression Tee” by Fully Loaded in a laid back, streetwear look, and Brianna Turner wears a rare Air Jordan x UNION x Bephies Beauty Supply t-shirt with biker shorts.
Los Angeles Sparks’ Rickea Jackson wears a signature asymmetrical long sleeve and coordinating Safety Pin pants from Sami Miro Vintage. Inspired by eco-consciousness, the Black female-owned brand also created a “v-cut” hoodie dress worn by Angel Reese.
Offering Black-owned contemporary designer bags, the latest purse design from Brandon Blackwood was spotted with DeWanna Bonner’s Celtics jersey. Alysha Clark, who works with stylist Kiarra Looks, has been collecting Brandon Blackwood purses for multiple seasons, which range from metal to paisley-printed fabric.
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
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