In a nod to Parisian culture, both teams, both proudly sponsored by Under Armor, took to the court in luxurious attire ahead of the highly anticipated game.
“It will be the epitome of luxury, which I think is what female athletes need,” said Rich Fresh, the famed fashion designer responsible for the gorgeous uniforms. “A lot of times, a lot of the energy is directed primarily toward male athletes, but I think this is a great opportunity for us to not only empower future generations of female athletes but to really celebrate our current female athletes.”
Indeed, two teams at the top of their game deserved the best in terms of attitude.
For Fresh, the cause holds great personal significance, as he sees “a lot of parallels” between her journey to fame in the fashion industry and the rise of women in athletics. He went through his fair share of struggles and instability before finally coming to prominence. Likewise, female athletes go through years of determination and hard work on their path to success and need to be taken seriously.
Fresh saw a shared spirit of independence and self-determination between his approach to fashion and female athletes’ approach to sports. He believed they were not adhering to other people’s standards and were playing the game their own way.
To ensure that the apparel he designed for his players fit their personalities and playing styles, Fresh worked with coaches and players at Notre Dame and South Carolina. This personalized approach resonates with athletes and makes them feel like an integral part of the design process.
The fashion guru carefully studied the style, tone and personality of each school, blending his own creative vision with Under Armor’s brand identity and the essence of what each team stands for. The end result, as he describes it, is to make the wearer feel like a champion and exude luxury.
“These young ladies are warriors,” Fresh said. “That’s what they go out to do, is fight. So I wanted to make sure I made something that looked like something a warrior should wear. They look like superheroes.”
The confidence boost that comes with wearing such great outfits is evident, with players from both teams proving the impact of looking and feeling good on the pitch. “Being able to express our presence on the court,” Notre Dame sophomore said K. K. Bransfordemphasizing the link between confidence and performance.
Flash flew to Paris with great anticipation to show off his beautiful creation to the teams. The response was overwhelming, with players and coaches alike expressing their excitement and appreciation for the performance. The enthusiasm was contagious and left an indelible mark on all present.
This groundbreaking collaboration has the potential to elevate the profile of women’s college basketball and capture the attention of a wider audience. The growing popularity of the sport, coupled with strong support from the likes of Stephen Curry and LeBron James, means women’s basketball has a bright future.
The Oui Play Classic transcends women’s basketball and leaves an indelible mark on women’s sports as a whole. By putting women at the forefront and celebrating their achievements, the partnership heralds a new era in sport.Notre Dame senior forward Nat Marshall Aptly summed up: “This event is a landmark moment, not just for women’s basketball, but for women’s sports as a whole.”