Game, Set, Slay: Fashion’s Most Iconic Sports Moments
From jellyfish-inspired dresses to diamond-studded sneakers, these are the moments athletes turned arenas into runways.
By Aaron Kok - published
There was a time when fashion and sport kept to their separate lanes: one gracing catwalks, the other confined to courts, tracks and fields. But not anymore. Today, athletes are as much style icons as they are record-breakers, bringing runway looks into the locker room and vice versa.
Related article: Your Guide To The ‘Heated Rivalry’ Cast: Their Characters, Past Projects And More
Whether it’s tunnel fits or championship moments, sportswear is no longer about performance, because it’s as much about presence. Below, we chronicle the times athletes made headlines not just for their skills, but for what they wore while making history.
Naomi Osaka in Robert Wun and Custom Nike
Where: Australian Open 2026
Returning to the Grand Slam spotlight, Naomi Osaka chose to make an entrance that was part haute couture, part fantasy. Inspired by jellyfish—yes, jellyfish—her custom look by Robert Wun and Nike featured fluid layers and translucent veils, echoing the sea creature’s otherworldly elegance. “This felt like a moment where I could write a little bit of my own [story],” she revealed later, referencing how she wanted to honour players before her with a look that would live on.
Lewis Hamilton in Dior
Where: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025
Lewis Hamilton’s first look under Jonathan Anderson’s creative direction at Dior made waves in the F1 paddock. Sporting ultra-wide trousers, a sculptural green textured jacket, and a brown suede Dior bag, Hamilton’s outfit was maximalism in motion. While some questioned the overwhelming silhouette, the seven-time world champion proved once again he’s in pole position when it comes to fashion-forward fit checks.
Related article: All The Luxury Watches That Your Favourite F1 Drivers Are Actually Wearing
Naomi Osaka in Custom Nike x Ambush
Where: US Open 2024
Making her return to the US Open after a two-year hiatus, Naomi Osaka teamed up with Yoon Ahn of Ambush for a Harajuku-inspired look. The custom Nike kit featured tiered ruffles and exaggerated bows in chartreuse green—a dramatic statement grounded in Japanese subculture references.
Caitlin Clark in Prada
Where: WNBA Draft 2024
Caitlin Clark became the first basketball player to be dressed by Prada for the WNBA Draft—and she understood the assignment. Her all-white satin ensemble with rhinestone detailing turned the red carpet into a runway, solidifying her status as both sports phenom and style star. The moment kicked off an ongoing fashion relationship with Prada, whose pieces continued to anchor her tunnel looks throughout her rookie season.
Related article: NBA Star Kyle Kuzma On Authenticity And Building A Life Beyond Basketball
Charles Leclerc in Charles Leclerc x Ferrari
Where: Miami Grand Prix 2023
Charles Leclerc showed up in Miami dressed like the main character of a motorsport fashion fantasy. Wearing a Ferrari team tee and his own co-designed tie-dye denim from the Charles Leclerc x Ferrari collaboration, the F1 driver made a case for drivers designing their own drip. The jeans? As turbo-charged as his car, and just as covetable too.
Serena Williams in Custom Nike
Where: US Open 2022
For what would be her final US Open, Serena Williams made sure her farewell was as iconic as her career. Nike designed a diamond-encrusted black tennis dress inspired by figure skating costumes, complete with a six-layer skirt referencing her six US Open titles (though she cheekily removed a few layers because “it was too heavy”). From her crystal-embedded jacket to sneakers with gold lace deubrés and 400 hand-set diamonds, every detail glittered with legacy.
Related article: Tennis Champions Chris Evert And Angelique Kerber On How The Sport Has Evolved Through The Years
Emma Raducanu in Dior
Where: Receiving her MBE, 2022
When Emma Raducanu received her MBE from King Charles III, she ditched the tennis whites for a royal-ready Dior look. Her asymmetric black lace dress was made ceremonial with custom linings, paired with a Dior belt and Tiffany & Co. jewellery. It was a fitting moment of young British elegance, spotlighting her evolution from rising athlete to cultural icon.