On Thursday, the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries will host the inaugural Valkyries Fashion Show, presented by Sephora. The fashion show will take place at Above the Rim, a private space above the Chase Center where the Valkyries play in the Bay Area.
Merging the worlds of fashion, beauty and basketball, the show will feature two pieces designed for the fashion show created by Valkyries guard Tiffany Hayes, under the creative direction of Valkyries Collective member, stylist and image consultant Brittany Hampton.
“Fashion has been a huge part of my personal journey,” said Hayes. “It’s how I tell my story and shape my narrative without saying a word. As a professional athlete, people often see me in uniform, but style allows me to step outside of that and show different layers of who I am. It gives me confidence, it grounds me and it reminds me that my identity is bigger than how I perform when I’m on the court. Valkyries Fashion Week means a lot to me because it gives women like me the platform to show that strength, creativity and culture go hand in hand — and that’s powerful for the next generation to see all the different ways self-expression can look like.”
With its custom Sephora-branded runway, the show will include 15 pieces, with 13 pieces curated from various designers such as Retired from Society, AuthMade, Dead Dirt, Ru by Rupal and Kids of Immigrants. The looks will be available to shop at the Valkyries Shop starting in October. The Valkyries will also share the players’ fashion tips and trends throughout this week, leading up to the show.
In April, Sephora inked a multiyear partnership with the Valkyries — the multinational beauty retailer’s name is on the basketball team’s performance center, placements throughout the Chase Center and features a curated kiosk in the arena for fans to purchase.
“Fashion in sports isn’t just about clothing; it’s a powerful form of self-expression, a reflection of individual style and identity. But it’s also a collective statement, a visual representation of the league’s culture — bold, confident and unapologetically authentic. For many, it helps tell the story of who these incredible athletes are, on and off the court and has become part of connecting with fans and shaping the league’s cultural footprint,” said Jess Smith, president of the Valkyries.