Unwrapped: Athletes, Fashion & the Future of Influence
Fashion, identity, and the power of personal brand beyond the game.
This week, we’re stepping out of the tunnel and onto the red carpet.
Whether it’s the Met Gala or the latest Reebok drop, one thing is clear: athletes are no longer just wearing the uniform—they’re designing it, defining it, and using their platforms to challenge cultural norms and expand what’s possible. The game might start on the court or the field, but the brand? That lives everywhere.
From NIL to luxury campaigns, the crossover between sports and fashion is proof that the most impactful athletes today are more than players—they’re storytellers, creators, and curators of culture.
Let’s get into it.
🕴🏾 Dandyland: Black Style Takes Center Stage at the Met Gala
This year’s Met Gala theme, "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," is a celebration of Black sartorial expression, identity, and legacy—and this year, athletes are front and center in shaping that narrative.
LeBron James and Lewis Hamilton are serving as honorary chairs of the Gala, not just as sports legends, but as icons of personal style. They, along with other athletes, remind us that fashion is more than fabric—it’s a language. A declaration. A legacy.
Through the accompanying GQ x Vogue editorial collaboration, athletes like A’ja Wilson, Justin Jefferson, and Tyshawn Jones are featured in a stunning portfolio that redefines Black excellence in fashion. It’s not about blending in—it’s about standing tall in self-expression.
As NFL star Justin Jefferson puts it:
“I use the tunnel walk as an opportunity to show my flavor, show my style, and show who I really am. Just putting on the different outfits, putting on the different sunglasses, the grills, the watches, the chains, all of that is an image of what I want to be, and it is just the style and the swag that I feel confident in.”
For athletes, the tunnel is the runway. The postgame presser is the editorial. Every fit is a message, a manifestation, a movement. And with platforms as big as theirs, what they wear—and how they wear it—becomes a statement about power, authenticity, and possibility.
👟 Angel Reese & Reebok: Building a Brand, Not Just a Game
Just in time for spring, Angel Reese is back with a bold new Reebok capsule collection, complete with three sneaker drops and coordinated apparel. The release further solidifies her growing fashion footprint and cements her status as both an athlete and a brand architect.
Reese, who’s already helped redefine what NIL success can look like, continues to prove that her influence goes far beyond the hardwood. By creating a signature aesthetic and building authentic connections with her fans, she’s crafting a blueprint for athlete-entrepreneurs everywhere.
Explore the full campaign: WWD x Angel Reese for Reebok
💡 Why This All Matters: Brand as Legacy
This moment is bigger than clothes or photo ops. It’s about access, equity, and agency.
Athletes, especially Black athletes, have always been trendsetters. But now, they’re decision-makers. They’re collaborating with designers, launching businesses, and shaping the cultural aesthetic from the inside out.
For the young athletes I serve through The Gifted Collective, this shift is everything. It shows them that their voice matters—not just for endorsements or likes, but for something deeper. It’s about visibility. Ownership. And using their platform to say something that matters.
And as they build, they’re helping others see themselves in places they didn’t think they belonged—on stages like the Met Gala, in campaigns, in boardrooms.
Because representation isn’t just about being seen, it’s about being heard.
The Newest: The Gifted Collective's First Course
This moment isn’t just about what athletes wear—it’s about the stories they tell, the power they hold, and the people they inspire. That’s why I’m excited to share that The Gifted Collective’s very first course is almost live.
We recently launched Fair Play, a self-paced digital course for high school and college athletes that breaks down storytelling, branding, and building your voice in a noisy world. Whether you’re chasing NIL opportunities or learning how to show up with impact, this course is built with you in mind.
Stay tuned. The next era of athlete empowerment is on the way.
🚨 Final Word
As we continue to work with young athletes at The Gifted Collective, this is the energy we’re channeling: intentional, creative, culturally aware, and fully rooted in purpose.
Your gift isn’t just your athleticism—it’s your vision, your voice, and the story only you can tell.
More to come soon—because this movement? It's just getting started.
With love and legacy,
Andrea