This summer, the spotlight on sports fashion has shifted dramatically to WNBA players, whose style choices are making waves both on and off the court. From the record-breaking viewership of the WNBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, which attracted 3.44 million viewers, to the players’ high-fashion tunnel walks and Team USA’s grand arrival at the Paris Olympics, the league’s athletes are turning heads. Major fashion brands such as Prada and Balmain are taking notice.
At the heart of these fashion moments are a group of stylists who have transitioned from their traditional roles into facilitators of high-profile luxury brand partnerships. Previously, many players dressed themselves for significant events due to a lack of brand interest. However, this dynamic has shifted, with brands now eager to engage with WNBA players.
Victoria Jacobi, a veteran basketball branding specialist and stylist, has been instrumental in this transformation. Jacobi, who has extensive experience working with both the NBA and WNBA, has played a key role in enhancing the personal brands of prominent players and facilitating connections with fashion houses. “It’s fascinating to see how brands are beginning to engage, initially through product seeding. They are interested in observing how the players interact with their products,” Jacobi notes.
Interest from brands has surged following the April 2024 draft, with PR agencies frequently reaching out to Jacobi without immediate expectations for formal collaborations. “Brands are keen on having their products featured with these players, focusing on visibility rather than immediate deliverables or specific requests,” Jacobi explains.
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