WNBA star Angel Reese, known for her bold personality and impeccable sense of style, has landed a coveted spot on the cover of Vogue.
Reese is featured alongside tennis sensation Frances Tiafoe and Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas in a story that celebrates the dynamic intersection of fashion and sports.
Thomas also graced a separate cover for the issue, which explores why athletes have become some of the most sought-after faces in the fashion world.
The Rise of Athletes in Fashion
Fashion brands have long admired athletes for their influence, but recent years have seen a surge in collaborations.
NBA, WNBA, and NFL “tunnel walks” have transformed arenas into runways, showcasing athletes’ personal styles and turning them into cultural icons.
The trend reached new heights at this year’s New York Fashion Week, where Olympians Noah Lyles and Jordan Chiles walked the runway, and designers like Willy Chavarria and Tory Burch infused sportswear into their collections.
For Reese, her love for fashion is anything but a new development. Nicknamed “Bayou Barbie” for her glamorous looks during her Louisiana State University basketball days, Reese told Vogue, “It’s always been both: basketball and fashion.”
Angel Reese: Fashion’s New Muse
The All-Star forward, now entering her second season with the Chicago Sky, shared how her passion for style began in childhood.
“I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do,” Reese said. A self-described “fashion girlie,” Reese revealed she once practiced her runway walk while watching America’s Next Top Model and dreams of walking at Paris Fashion Week.
For her Vogue debut, Reese stunned in a ruched red Versace dress, captured by photographer Norman Jean Roy.
Reese shared the cover on social media with the caption, “I ‘covered up’ and gave y’all COVERGIRL,” addressing recent online criticism of a bold New Year’s Eve outfit. In another post, she added, “Show up as yourself even if it makes others uncomfortable.”
The Intersection of Fashion and Sport
Reese’s feature in Vogue underscores a growing trend where athletes are shaping fashion narratives.
With Reese’s undeniable charisma and Tiafoe’s and Thomas’s unique styles, the story captures how sports stars are influencing luxury fashion both on and off the court.
As Reese continues to dominate both the basketball court and the fashion world, her Vogue cover cements her status as a trailblazer redefining what it means to be an athlete in 2025.
