Tuesday, September 15, officially marks the end of New York Fashion Week for 2026. New York is coming off a high this year with the Knicks winning the NBA Championship and the U.S. Open wrapping two days prior to Fashion Week’s end. The worlds of fashion and athletics are separate fields but they are much closer than when New York brings them together.Â
Two-time U.S. Open Champion Naomi Osaka has been known to have an exciting match day wardrobe but people started to notice she attended practice with just as much style. Osaka was seen sporting heels and a mini dress on her way to her first practice for the U.S. Open with her racket in hand. She already had people talking about her match day outfits this summer during Wimbledon, designed by Tokyo-based designer Hana Yagi and pictured in British Vogue.Â
With an emphasis on practice, sports fanatics understood the reference to former professional basketball player Allen Iverson’s iconic “Practice” press conference. Iverson said the word “practice” 22 times after reporters questioned Iverson’s attendance at practices amid trade rumors as the franchise player of the 76ers.
Iverson is not only recognized for his performance as an athlete but also for his impact on fashion in the NBA. Even if you aren’t familiar with pro-basketball, Iverson’s iconic headband is easily recognizable. In 2005, NBA commissioner David Stern wanted a more “corporate” image for the league and implemented a dress code banning durags and large jewelry, and required players to dress business casual when arriving and leaving games and sitting on the bench.Â
Iverson openly opposed this rule that targeted hip-hop and black culture. Today, Iverson’s impact can be seen in the tunnel, where players dress how they want as a form of self expression. It’s no surprise that Osaka found inspiration in a fellow athlete who changed how fashion was viewed in their sport. In partnership with stylist Law Roach, Osaka stepped on to the court for the US Open in custom Who Decides War, inspired by Iverson’s iconic look.
The connections between sports and fashion are endless. Law Roach is best known as Zendaya’s stylist, who put together her press looks for the movie Challengers, a story about a tennis love triangle where Zendaya plays fictional tennis player Tashi Donaldson. Zendaya and Roach collaborated off the runway this April with a collection of apparel and footwear co-created with Swiss sportswear brand On. The collection features interchangeable pieces in solid staple colors that align with the brand’s clean but elevated aesthetic. Fellow U.S. Open competitor Ben Shelton has been sponsored by the brand since 2023 and can be seen on the court in head-to-toe On apparel. Although neither Osaka nor Shelton won the tournament, the world won’t forget the impact they continue to make through hard work, sweat, and style.