ARCHITECTS OF ARRIVAL: WNBA STYLISTS TO KNOW
Text by Mario Abad
6 Minute Read

ARCHITECTS OF ARRIVAL: WNBA STYLISTS TO KNOW
Text by Mario Abad
6 Minute Read

Meet the women dressing the women who are changing the game.
In the WNBA, the tunnel has become just as iconic as the hardwood. It’s a place where players are defining their narratives not just through stats, but through style. More than ever, fashion is the language these athletes are using to bridge the gap between sports and culture. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping look at the Met Gala or a perfectly styled draft-day moment, WNBA stars are owning their image—and architecting many of those viral outfits are the stylists shaping their public personas.
Take Paige Bueckers, whose No. 1 WNBA Draft pick was punctuated by a clean, confident all-white ensemble that signaled both arrival and intent—courtesy of her stylist Mary Gonsalves Kinney, who understood the power of simplicity under the spotlight. Or Kelsey Plum, whose trade to the Las Vegas Aces came with a full rebrand: new city, new team, a new stylist in Karla Welch, and a newfound boldness that’s turning heads in both fashion and basketball circles. Teams like the New York Liberty are leading the charge, not just in the league standings but also on the red carpet, showing up en masse at the Met Gala as a fashion-forward unit styled by Courtney Mays.
Together, these stylists aren’t just helping WNBA athletes get dressed—they’re helping them be seen, be remembered, and be celebrated. By aligning fashion with personal storytelling, they’re proving that the tunnel, the red carpet, and the hardwood are all places where greatness can be styled into being. In a league where style is becoming as essential as skill, we’re spotlighting the creatives behind the looks: the WNBA stylists you need to know now.
COURTNEY MAYS
Courtney Mays is one of the most prominent names in athlete styling, and her presence in the WNBA space has been nothing short of transformative. She’s the mastermind behind some of the most memorable fashion moments for stars like Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird, and Tina Charles. Mays' work with Stewart, in particular, is a case study in how style can quietly yet powerfully communicate leadership. From tunnel fits that embrace oversized silhouettes and gender-neutral tailoring to red carpet moments that lean into polished minimalism, Mays helps Stewart express a balance of confidence, control, and authenticity. When the New York Liberty showed up in custom Sergio Hudson looks for the Met Gala, it was Stewart—alongside Mays—at the center of the league’s arrival into true fashion territory. Their partnership proves that style isn’t just a surface-level tool for WNBA players—it’s a narrative device, and Mays ensures Stewart’s story is told with intention, integrity, and edge.
MARY GONSALVES KINNEY
Mary Gonsalves Kinney is shaping the fashion narrative for one of the WNBA’s most anticipated rookies, Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks. Kinney has been styling Brink since her college days at Stanford, crafting a signature look that leans into clean, sculptural silhouettes and modern femininity. Brink’s WNBA Draft moment, featuring a sharp, structured white Balmain dress, was a breakout fashion statement that announced her arrival as both a top pick and a rising style icon. Kinney’s styling is all about polish with personality—helping Brink walk confidently into both the league and the lifestyle spotlight.
VICTORIA JACOBI
Victoria Jacobi is emerging as a key architect of young basketball style, particularly through her work with Paige Bueckers and Hailey Van Lith. Jacobi has been instrumental in shaping Bueckers' “elevated sporty-chic” aesthetic, which translated perfectly during her draft campaign and public appearances. With Van Lith, Jacobi leans into a more preppy, structured vibe, emphasizing each player's individuality. Her ability to bridge the streetwear-luxury divide without losing sight of personal narrative makes her a rising force in WNBA fashion circles.
AMADI BROOKS
Amadi Brooks is the go-to stylist for Indiana Fever’s Sydney Colson and has also dressed Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson and fellow teammate Jackie Young. Brooks embraces fashion as a medium for self-expression, using bold colors and strong silhouettes to reflect Wilson’s presence as both an MVP and a cultural leader. Their partnership demonstrates how style can extend a player’s voice, helping them stand out even in off-court settings like postgame interviews and magazine features.
ADRI ZGIRDEA
Adri Zgirdea is the stylist behind Caitlin Clark, one of the most closely watched athletes in the world right now—and she’s helping shape a fashion identity that’s as calculated and confident as Clark’s three-point shot. Zgirdea styled Clark for her WNBA Draft debut, where the former Iowa standout wore a custom white Prada suit with sleek detailing and minimal accessories, exuding poise, precision, and polish. The look instantly went viral—not just as a fashion moment, but as a clear articulation of Clark’s brand: modern, composed, and elite. Zgirdea has continued to help Clark navigate the balance between youthful accessibility and superstar gravitas, positioning her not just as a face of the league, but as a future fashion force.
KARLA WELCH
Karla Welch is one of the most respected names in celebrity styling—a fashion heavyweight known for shaping the red carpet presence of stars like Tracee Ellis Ross, Justin Bieber, and Olivia Wilde. Her recent foray into the WNBA world through Kelsey Plum marks a significant crossover moment: one of fashion’s most elite tastemakers teaming up with one of the league’s most compelling players. Welch brings a distinctly editorial sensibility to Plum’s evolving public image, leaning into strong tailoring, clean lines, and directional pieces that signal a new era for the athlete both on and off the court. Their partnership debuted during the 2024-25 WNBA season with sharp suiting and sleek silhouettes that elevated Plum’s tunnel presence and positioned her as a future fashion mainstay. Welch's involvement in the league is a powerful indicator that WNBA style is not just a trend—it’s a serious new frontier for luxury fashion.
MACKENZEE MCDONALD
Mackenzee McDonald, also known as Golden, is part of the new guard of stylists redefining what WNBA fashion can look like. With a client roster that includes the Connecticut Suns’ Saniya Rivers, Dallas Wings’ Teaira McCowan, and Atlanta Dream’s Allisha Gray, Golden is carving out a lane rooted in individuality, confidence, and cultural relevance. Her styling is deeply intentional—she leans into bold silhouettes, unexpected textures, and pieces that highlight each player’s personality while pushing their style evolution forward. Whether it’s Rivers’ edgy, street-smart fits, McCowan’s commanding yet feminine looks, or Gray’s polished versatility, Golden’s work proves that WNBA fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all. She’s not just dressing athletes—she’s helping them articulate who they are in every walk through the tunnel, every brand shoot, and every off-day Instagram post.
MADISON LEDYARD
Madison Ledyard, who goes by Maddie Alexandria professionally, has built a reputation as a rising creative force in sports fashion—particularly through her earlier work with Angel Reese during Reese’s breakout college years. At a moment when all eyes were on the LSU star, Maddie helped craft a bold, fashion-forward image that matched Reese’s unapologetic confidence and charisma. From tunnel looks that leaned into streetwear luxe to pre-draft editorials that blended femininity with edge, her styling amplified Reese’s cultural moment and contributed to her emergence as a Gen Z fashion icon. While the two have since parted ways professionally, Maddie Alexandria’s influence remains part of the visual blueprint for how next-gen WNBA stars are presenting themselves to the world—loud, proud, and styled with intention.
BRITTANY HAMPTON
Brittany Hampton is quietly becoming one of the most trusted names in the WNBA fashion orbit, known for her thoughtful, tailored approach to styling rising stars and league icons alike. She began working with Paige Bueckers during her time at UConn, helping the guard cultivate a look that balances polish and personality—often blending sporty essentials with luxury details. Hampton also styled Azzi Fudd for the 2025 WNBA Draft, opting for a sleek and modern silhouette that reflected Fudd’s calm, focused energy in a high-pressure moment. Most recently, she’s worked with Sabrina Ionescu and Cameron Brink, signaling that she’s becoming a go-to for players looking to define their fashion identity beyond the court. Hampton’s eye is sharp, her styling precise, and her client roster speaks volumes—she’s helping shape the next era of WNBA style from the inside out.