It’s been a big week in Caitlin Clark news. Not only was the Iowa native selected as the first pick by the Indiana Fever on Monday, but he was suddenly on the fashion world’s radar by attending a head-to-toe draft night in Prada, which the Italian team said was its first time. The brand dressed a player for the WNBA or NBA draft.
The look consisted of a white double satin shirt and skirt, an embroidered rhinestone mesh top, black brushed leather slingback heels, a black Galleria clutch, and acetate sunglasses. She also wore John Hardy jewelry.
More from WWD
Later in the week, she was in her new hometown of Indianapolis for her first press conference as a Fever player, arriving at Louis Vuitton for the occasion: specifically in a wool-and-silk cross-breasted dress, paired with a jewel-buttoned tuxedo. a satin-collared jacket, a gold-and-silver studded Pico GO-14 clutch, and the brand’s gold monogram-studded Signature pumps.
Behind both looks is stylist Adri Zgirdea, who has worked with other athletes and began working with Clark through his agency, Excel Sports (Zgirdea works with other Excel clients).
“I wanted to bring Caitlin’s natural talent and bold playing style from the field to the orange carpet. [at the WNBA draft]Zgirdea explains her approach to styling Clark for the big night. “She already has a talent for captivating people with her confident, record-breaking play, so shaping her is about taking that bold energy and transforming it into a look that reflects her personality, her values, and the moment.”
“For the WNBA draft, Caitlin and I talked about putting together a look that was fresh, solid, and stayed true to it,” Zgirdea added. “I immediately knew that Prada would be the perfect brand to help create a vibrant yet timeless look that was not only memorable but also a first.”
Zgirdea’s idea about which brand he would work with for the draft night was based on being “first”.
“I always consider my clients’ personal stories when working on ‘milestone looks’ in their careers. Caitlin is a record breaker in many ways; “I knew the look had to be a ‘first’ of sorts, and my first thought was Prada,” she says. “I worked with the brand for a few male clients and had a great experience. The brand’s values and Caitlin’s style were so in sync: true craft, substance over show. And “They hadn’t drafted anyone for the draft: the stars really aligned.”
Shall we look at Louis Vuitton’s press conference?
“LV is a brand that Caitlin loves, so it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ and ‘where’,” says Zgirdea.
Zgirdea is of Romanian and Serbian descent and immigrated to the United States in his childhood. She says she has always loved fashion, but studied finance at university before turning to fashion (“European parents, remember?” she says). Her background includes personal shopping, merchandising, management and purchasing. Shaping athletes “came about by accident,” he says, “I had two friends in the sports industry, one at Priority Sports and the other at BDA Sports (which merged with WME).”
He has worked with Josh Richardson of the Miami Heat, Zach Collins of the San Antonio Spurs, Corey Kispert of the Washington Wizards, Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets and more.
“It usually takes five years for a major fashion brand to agree to dress any athlete. They want to see players established and making a splash before they invest in working together,” says Zgirdea of her experience. “This makes Caitlin’s take on the WNBA draft exciting and groundbreaking, as this is also the first time any player, male or female, has been drafted.” “This is a clear example that brands are paying attention and could lead to more actors collaborating with big fashion brands in the future.”
So while Prada and Louis Vuitton were the first high-end brands Clark saw, her fashion journey is just beginning.
“Caitlin is a head-turner, whether she’s on the field, the first person to wear Prada at the draft, or guest-starring on ‘SNL’; It’s getting people talking and investing in women’s sports in a way we’ve never seen before. Zgirdea says. “Brands who want to stay on the cutting edge of pop culture should watch because Caitlin is already breaking glass ceilings and this is just the beginning.”
WNBA Draft 2024 Red Carpet Arrival Photos, Live Updates: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and More
View gallery
Launch Gallery: WNBA Draft 2024 Red Carpet Arrival Photos, Live Updates: Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and More
The best of WWD