Fashion Highlight: Prada Teams up with Caitlin Clark for WNBA Draft Gala
Prada makes a statement by outfitting Clark in a groundbreaking fashion moment at the WNBA draft gala, while other players dazzle in elegant gowns and sharp suits, showcasing a blend of luxury and style.
On the exciting night of the WNBA draft, where top women's college basketball players transitioned to the professional league, players showcased their style in elegant gowns and sharp suits, turning the event into a glamorous fashion show.
Caitlin Clark, known as the NCAA's highest scorer in both men's and women's basketball history, was chosen as the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever. Before the draft, she had already caught the attention of fashion brand Prada, who dressed her for the occasion.
Wearing a stylish outfit of an unbuttoned satin shirt, mini skirt, rhinestone mesh crop top, shades, and black pumps, the former Iowa Hawkeyes point guard made history as the first basketball player to be dressed by a luxury label for draft night. She later switched to a more comfortable look, being photographed in Uggs during a post-draft interview.
Clark in a satin two-piece Prada look with a rhinestone crop top underneath.
Clark in a satin two-piece Prada look with a rhinestone crop top underneath.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
In previous years, the dress code at the draft typically involved daytime suiting and dresses. However, this year, it was evident that things had changed.
Stanford’s Cameron Brink, drafted to the Los Angeles Sparks, made a grand entrance in a stunning black-and-white high-slit Balmain gown. Joining her in LA, Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson stood out in a bold red pantsuit with illusion sleeves and a side train. South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, a key player in her team's championship win after an undefeated season, rocked a plunging red suit. Also heading to the Chicago Sky is LSU’s Angel Reese, who dazzled in a hooded design by Bronx and Banco.
Jordan Clarkson wears a $5,450 Givenchy x BStroy Jacket for his tunnel walk this month.
Angel Reese in a backless, hooded gown.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Rickea Jackson in a playful, high-low pantsuit.
Sarah Stier/Getty Images
Prada dressing Clark signals luxury brands expanding into sports. While sportswear brands have always sought partnerships with elite athletes, high fashion labels are now making their mark on the basketball court. NBA players' pre-game entrances, known as "tunnel walks," have turned into their own runways.
With more people tuning into women's basketball, players like Clark, Cardoso, and Reese have helped attract record-breaking TV audiences in the NCAA. The WNBA also had its most-watched season in over two decades. This creates an opportunity for more high-end labels to get involved in the sport.
Jordan Clarkson wears a $5,450 Givenchy x BStroy Jacket for his tunnel walk this month.
Courtesy Richard Ontiveros-Gima
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NBA players are embracing ‘tunnel walks’ to showcase their personal style.
Stylist Jazmine Motley-Maddox, known for dressing WNBA teammates DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas, highlighted a new trend among female athletes in an interview with The Cut earlier this year. She mentioned, “I don’t think before, especially in the WNBA, girls were hiring stylists to dress them for games. Designer brands are now eager to collaborate because they understand the exposure and impact it will have when showcased to millions.”
Clark described her collaboration with Prada as "pretty special" in a red-carpet interview with the WNBA, even though the carpet was technically orange-colored.
Reflecting on the past two months at the event, she told CNN, "I think the biggest thing is I'm just very lucky to be in this moment."
When facing challenging or tiring tasks, it's important to see them as opportunities. Not everyone gets the chance to do what you're doing. Each experience is unique and should be cherished.
Editor's P/S:
The WNBA draft has become a glamorous affair, with players showcasing their style in elegant gowns and sharp suits. This shift in the dress code reflects the growing popularity of women's basketball and the increasing involvement of high-end fashion labels in the sport. Prada's decision to dress Caitlin Clark, the first overall pick, signals a new era of luxury brands expanding into sports, recognizing the potential for exposure and impact among the growing audience of women's basketball.
The fashion choices of players like Clark, Cardoso, and Reese not only reflect their personal style but also align with the broader trend of female athletes embracing fashion as a form of self-expression. Stylists like Jazmine Motley-Maddox are playing a crucial role in this evolution, helping WNBA players create unique and memorable looks that elevate the sport's visibility and appeal.
