The W in Designer: AT&T WNBA All-Star Weekend's Orange Carpet Edition
Celebrating the work that WNBA players have been doing all season, the Orange Carpet occurred on Friday, July 14 at the Delano Hotel. Extending the carpet’s actual length for this year’s version of the historical, photo-worthy moment, players posed in elevated outfits vaguely inspired by Las Vegas’ reputation of glitz and glam. To prepare for the media-heavy event, several players collaborated with stylists they’ve been working with all season, while some players planned their outfits on their own.
Adding to the AT&T All-Star Weekend 2023 coverage, the spotlight on the Orange Carpet by “The W in Designer” explores the vibes from players and creatives who helped create their looks. While this season’s pre-game outfits have included style coordination between players, this energy extended to the Orange Carpet– several players invited their families, children, romantic partners, or best friends to walk the carpet with them. Other themes from this year’s carpet include appearances from players who aren’t competing in the All-Star Game, which reminds fans how important it is for players to always show up for one another.
Kahleah Copper adds an element of cool to the Orange Carpet by wearing brands that include KidSuper, sunglasses from Los Angeles-based James Oro, and a pair of Adidas. Styled by Marc Desir, who’s under Kesha McLeod’s team alongside Vna Gudino, Copper’s look offers an elevated version of the strong outfits she’s been wearing through the season. “The bond that we’ve built with Kahleah over time allows us to show her things that are a little out of her comfort zone,” shares Desir, but “because of our connection with her, she trusts that we understand her image and is open to trying new things.”
Highlighting her height while creating a carpet-worthy look, Cheyenne Parker wears a knotted leather top and hand-crafted denim maxi skirt by Model Atelier that perfectly frames her heels. She also wears gold body glitter to match her daughter’s sparkly dress– “I was excited to be matching with my baby tonight,” says Parker. Styled by the brand’s founder Robin Harris, this player-stylist duo met by arranging a test photoshoot through Instagram. “Because we’ve been working together for eight years, she wanted me to style her so that she wouldn’t have to worry about what to wear,” explains Harris, “and focus more on her professional career and being an amazing mom.”
The All-Star Team Captain reinforces her boss mentality through a white suit from AMI Paris and black leather shoes from CELINE, a brand she’s been wearing throughout the season. “We’re in Las Vegas, so sunglasses on,” jokes Stewart before acknowledging her desire to be “fancy for the Orange Carpet.” Revealing her growing interest in luxury timepieces, Stewart accessorizes with an eye-catching Audemars Piguet watch. The hyper-driven player, on- and off-court, says that the brand and she are pursuing an official partnership, reinforcing Stewart’s journey to becoming the league’s first-ever watch aficionado.
As elegant as ever, DeWanna Bonner wears an oversized mesh dress over a tight leather dress with coordinating sheer socks. Working with stylist Jazmine Motley-Maddox, a childhood friend of the player, Bonner looks ecstatic to be doing her first carpet with Alyssa Thomas. While the couple has coordinated through the season, Thomas jokes that “[DeWanna] tells me what to do” when deciding their pre-game outfits. Bonner explains the thought process behind her voluminous silhouette: “You never know when it’s going to be my last All-Star, so I definitely wanted to make it pop.”
Representing players who aren’t competing in the All-Star Game, DiDi Richards explains that she wanted her outfit to be “giving different.” Wearing a blue button-up shirt with a matching furry blue bandeau and a silver, quilted miniskirt with cut-outs, Richards worked with stylist Sydney Bordonaro on interpreting her it-girl aesthetic for the Orange Carpet. “I wore a skirt to the Skills Challenge, so if I was going to wear a skirt, it had to be a little different,” explains Richards, “It’s like a simple miniskirt, then abstract.”
Continuing her collaboration with player-turned-stylist Kristine Anigwe, Nneka Ogwumike wears a two-piece set by KA Originals and silver pointy heels from Hanifa. Known for her signature style with nude or neutral colors, Anigwe’s brand also hosted an exhibition earlier this week. Although the league’s fans have noticed the Ogwumike sister’s coordination throughout this season, Chiney opted for an all-black outfit to keep the focus on her older sister’s Orange Carpet look. Holding a sparkly clutch, Ogwumike says, “I just wanted to feel a little shimmery tonight.”
WNBA reporter Kirsten Chen writes a lifestyle & fashion column on WNBA.com throughout the season and can be reached on Twitter through @hotgothwriter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs
