How stylist Kristine Anigwe uses fashion as an armor for WNBA stars

Introducing Aesthetically Speaking, our series that delves into style-minded storytelling at the intersection of fashion and sports, featuring the brands and stylists who make it happen.

Former WNBA forward-center Kristine Anigwe has been all around the world. Recently, she landed with Andscape to discuss filling a need for clothing, not just for herself but for fellow athletes. Since launching her brand, KA Originals, three years ago, Anigwe’s designs emerged from a powerful place within her, not only as a Black woman but also as one with the privilege of styling WNBA players.

By creating clothing for people like herself (tall, specifically 6-foot-4, with an athletic build), she saw a way to make clothing for individuals with her body type. Together, she and her clients are redefining their relationship to fashion, using clothing as armor.

Anigwe has a roster of stylish players she works with, including Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Tiffany Hayes, Skylar Diggins, and Arike Ogunbowale. For her, a successful relationship with her clients isn’t about trust.

“You don’t have to trust me, but you have to trust that I know what I’m doing. I’ve done the work and I’ve been able to execute,” she said she tells her clients.

For our third episode of Aesthetically Speaking, we dive into this and more with Andscape host Ari Chambers. Watch below as Angiwe explains how it feels to form a community around clothing, the power of seeing Black designers on the red carpet, and pulling inspiration from K-pop.