When the two powerhouse programs face off in Paris on Monday, they’ll arrive in style with custom collaborative luxury tracksuits.
As women’s basketball continues to ride a wave of momentum, another first is in store this week, as the first-ever NCAA regular-season basketball game is taking place in Paris. Tipping off on Monday afternoon, the Oui Play Classic pairs up the top-10 ranked South Carolina and Notre Dame women’s basketball teams, featuring the Irish and Gamecocks squads on a global stage.
Ahead of the trip, Under Armour, the brand partner for each school, linked up with renowned fashion designer Patrick “Fresh” Henry and his brand Richfresh to ensure the women are moving through France in style.
“To have a basketball game being played on this level in Paris is very luxe. It’s not normal,” Henry told Boardroom. “The collaboration had to feel very luxe and very posh. … The UA x Richfresh suits celebrate the athletes, coaches, and this historic moment for women’s collegiate basketball.”
Known for his signature tracksuits featuring a dual striped chevron across the jacket, Henry was looking to lean into each program’s trademark hues for a distinctive and elevated execution.
“It was important to keep the aesthetic true to my brand aesthetic,” he detailed.
Richfresh has worked with several NBA athletes, such as Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, along with many musicians and celebrities. But never before has the brand outfitted an entire team.
“In looking at where women’s athletics is going, it was important to put my stamp on this,” said Henry. “I work with a lot of male athletes, and this was an opportunity to really shift it.”
Not only does each team represent two of Under Armour’s most accomplished college basketball programs, but each team’s head coach — South Carolina’s Dawn Staley and Notre Dame’s Niele Ivey — also bring their own star power and style to the court.
“Both coaches are like the mayors of their school,” added Henry.
The designer has had a relationship with Staley for years, as she owns a collection of distinctive Richfresh tracksuits, making the collaboration a natural fit. Henry calls her the “freshest in the game.”
“She owns that belt, and no one is gonna take it from her,” he continued.
Over the weekend, the Irish players visited The Louvre in their navy Richfresh tracksuits, featuring green and gold stripes to dial in the detailing.
“[The players] express themselves through social media, music, fashion, and culture, and I’m excited for them to have the opportunity to take that passion one step further,” Coach Ivey said of the tracksuits.
After leaving his mark in Paris, don’t be surprised to see Henry and Richfresh remain in the women’s hoops game moving forward.
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