brand,” she said. “We want to create an image that’s consistent and to dress people for who they are.” This approach involves understanding each athlete’s unique personality and creating a look that resonates with both their fans and potential sponsors.
NFL Players Embracing Fashion
From the Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb, known for his Cartier stacks, to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce, who made waves in GQ magazine, NFL players are no longer just borrowing style from brands. They’re actively participating in fashion discussions and even influencing high-fashion content on platforms like TikTok.
Take Jack Savoie’s series on men’s sports stars like Justin Jefferson, where he analyzes celebrity red carpet looks alongside professional athletes. When an NFL player is featured in the same discussion as Jennifer Lawrence in Dior, it signals a significant shift in how fashion and sports intersect.
Fashion as Marketing
The rise of athlete stylists is not just about personal style; it’s also a marketing strategy for both athletes and brands. Bordonaro mentions helping USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw land a partnership with Coach, highlighting how fashion labels are choosing athletes based on their cultural influence.
“Fashion’s a form of expression,” she notes. “They can express themselves on the court or field, but what’s more than a form of expression than how you dress?”
As NFL players increasingly incorporate style into their public personas, it connects them with existing and new fans in a fresh, more authentic way. Bordonaro concludes that when athletes show their personal style, they’re not just borrowing from brands; they’re also influencing the market.
At The Gist, we celebrate this intersection of sports and fashion. Join us for more insights on how athletes are changing the game from the field to the runway.
