Now more than ever before, professional athletes are engrained in the fashion world. Last week in Paris was no different. One of the athletes that we saw popping out at a bunch of events was Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
For KidSuper’s runway, Chase pulled up in a loud ensemble consisting of a purple camo leather coat, a camo work jacket, and embellished denim from the designer’s new Bape collab. To sit courtside for NBA Paris, he kept things a bit more classic with a Nigo x Nike letterman jacket, khaki pants, and Lil Yachty x Nike Air Force 1s. Arguably his best fit of the week was for the Comme des Garçons show. He wore a black button-up, trousers, shades covering his eyes, and black and pink Nike DN8s on foot. A sleek black leather trench coat was the statement piece of the look. According to stylist Brittany Hampton, he called it his Blade moment.
Hampton was one of the stylists helping Chase execute his looks out in Paris through a partnership with Nike. In particular, she styled him for the CdG show and NBA Paris game. Hampton also styled Nike athletes like Sabrina Ionescu, A’ja Wilson, Ceede Lamb, and Midge Purce during fashion week. The 35 year-old has almost two decades of experience styling in the sports world. Previous clients include the WNBA’s Nike Mühl, collegiate superstar Paige Bueckers, and Olympics gold medalist Sha’Carri Richardson.
“Athletes are tastemakers and style icons,” says Hampton. “Their presence at events like Paris Fashion Week reflects this shift. It offers stylists like myself opportunities. It’s a moment to celebrate how sports and fashion are redefining each other and continuing to push boundaries.”
We caught up with Hampton in Paris to talk about some of Chase’s best looks, her start in styling, future goals, and more.
What is it like working with Ja’Marr?
One of the things I appreciated the most was Ja’Marr’s involvement in making sure he expressed his personality. He defines his own aesthetics in accents by adding textures and style play and understanding silhouettes and movement. His attention to detail was impressive.
How does your approach change for him versus other athletes you’ve worked with?
I got to work closely with Ja’Marr and his personal stylist Torianna. I appreciated being able to style a client that understands that it’s Paris Fashion Week and the assignment may change with every event he may attend. Some looks were about setting a statement, while others were about representing the brand. My process was about ensuring every look aligned with his identity.
Let’s talk about his fit for Comme des Garçons. What was your favorite element and why?
Our goal was to amplify the launch of the Nike DN8, which spanned across every Nike athlete during Paris Fashion Week. We did a take on the true CdG aesthetic and went with an all-black look. Ja’Marr called it his Blade moment.
What about his courtside look for NBA Paris?
Nigo’s Nike jacket was the one of the first pieces that Ja’Marr took off the rack. He knew this could have been an item that other talent may want to showcase, especially after the LV show, but he wanted to take an approach on the academic trends that have been floating around this season.
How did you get your start in styling?
I’ve been working in the fashion industry since I was 16. These past couple years I’ve gained a lot of traction through the sports industry and my network has expanded. I started gaining recognition for elevating their style off the court and redefining their personal brand with athletes and public figures, especially in the women’s basketball space.
What’s the most rewarding part about being a stylist?
The most rewarding is bringing a client’s vision to life and boosting their confidence. Also seeing their personality shine and knowing you’ve helped tell their story is incredibly fulfilling.
Biggest challenge?
Balancing creative expression while managing their hectic schedules, diverse body types, and ever-changing trends. It’s about finding the perfect harmony between vision and functionality.
What are your thoughts on the evolution of the relationship between fashion and sports in recent years? We’re seeing more and more athletes attending shows in Paris.
We are embracing the evolution of fashion and sports. Athletes are tastemakers and style icons. Their presence at events like Paris Fashion Week reflects this shift. It offers stylists like myself opportunities. It’s a moment to celebrate how sports and fashion are redefining each other and continuing to push boundaries.
What was your favorite part of this Paris Fashion Week?
My favorite part of this Paris Fashion Week has been witnessing the growth of the intersection of sports and high fashion on a global stage. Seeing brands and athletes confidently owning their style at these events and being a part of crafting those moments is rewarding.
What are your future goals in the styling space?
My goal is to establish myself and my team as global tastemakers. Partnering with Nike has been a significant step in that direction. They’ve given me incredible creative freedom, whether it’s working with the athletes on my roster or contributing to unforgettable event experiences. With full creative direction, I’ve been able to lead curated styling suites and redefine spaces where athletes can express themselves during their biggest global moments. These opportunities not only elevate my work, but also amplify the voices and stories of the athletes we will continue to collaborate with.
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