HOUSTON — The prestigious Met Gala this year welcomes a wave of professional athletes, like Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James, whose presence on this red carpet, long reserved for film and fashion stars, marks a new era. For stylists, dressing these elite bodies is a challenge as stimulating as it is demanding.
In 2023, Brittney Griner made a splash by becoming the first WNBA player to attend the Met Gala, wearing a custom-tailored Calvin Klein suit, the result of the meticulous work of stylist Courtney Mays. Mays is well-versed in the specifics of athletic body types: Griner is 2,06 meters tall and wears a size 52 shoe. “We have to completely rethink the garment, to think outside the box,” says Mays, who is tall herself and accustomed to the constraints of inclusive fashion.
This year's theme, “Tailored For You,” coupled with the exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” resonates particularly with Mays, who has long advocated for greater representation of athletes, particularly from the Black community, in the luxury sphere. “I hope this will change the way fashion respects underrepresented communities,” she says.
Alongside Hamilton, the event's co-chair, and James, the honorary chairman, other athletes like Sue Bird, Tina Charles, and Breanna Stewart will walk the steps of the Metropolitan Museum in outfits designed to enhance their stature. Mays, who has dressed many of these figures, insists: "These outfits have to reflect their personality and their strength, whether they're feminine, masculine, or somewhere in between."
In the hallways of stadiums, “tunnel fits”—looks captured at the entrance to the locker room—have become an informal fashion show where basketball players compete in style. Mays sees it as a unique creative laboratory: “We're starting to publicize WNBA players, but often according to imposed beauty standards. I'd like to see androgynous, fluid, and bold styles celebrated as well.”
Tina Charles, 1,93'XNUMX", speaks fondly of her connection to Mays: "She gave me confidence. Thanks to her, I stand tall and proud in my impeccable suits."
While Monday night's gala promises to be a celebration of stylistic diversity, Mays sums up his mission: "To merge sport and fashion in an authentic way, by broadening the perspective. This is just the beginning."
