Off-White partners with WNBA’s New York Liberty: Why it matters

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What happened?

It’s game on for Off-White. The Milan-based brand has seized the WNBA’s newfound fashion star, cementing its own US play with a New York Liberty partnership.

Off-White and New York Liberty are embarking on a multi-year deal under which Off-White will serve as the team’s “official style and culture curator”, the brands announced Friday. It’s Off-White’s first ever US sports team partnership. (The brand is now in the third year of its partnership with football team AC Milan, under which it’s created uniforms and for-sale capsule collections.)

The first product, a custom varsity jacket designed by Off-White creative director Ib Kamara, will debut on Sunday, 22 September, at the team’s first 2024 playoff game at Barclays Center. A limited number of these jackets will be available for fans to customise and pre-order at Barclays Center on Sunday, and during select future playoff games.

“Off-White is a catalyst force for change, creating platforms and giving voice to a community of young radicals, groundbreaking talents and unique cultural forces,” Off-White CEO Cristiano Fagnani said in a statement. “We are thrilled to partner with this inspiring team.”

Looking ahead, the brands will release fashion capsules each season, launch community programming initiatives and partner with Liberty players to celebrate tentpole moments including Women’s History Month, Black History Month and Pride.

Why does it matter?

The partnership is a major step for both parties, and the mutual benefits come at a key time for both Liberty and Off-White.