Notre Dame's transfer forward, Liatu King, has seamlessly integrated herself on the court. When she entered the transfer portal in March, she and coach Niele Ivey had extensive conversations about fashion. Dressing to impress has been a tradition since Muffet McGraw led the program. King, who spent four years at the University of Pittsburgh and was a 2024 first-team All-ACC selection, found a welcoming environment at Notre Dame. "At my previous school, fashion wasn't a big thing. I always loved fashion and being able to be in a place where it's embraced allows me to be myself. There's no better feeling than putting on outfits and getting compliments," she said.

How Fashion Boosts Confidence

This season, Notre Dame has promoted its women's basketball pregame looks. King believes that styling herself evokes emotions that translate onto the court. "It makes me feel good and confident. I'm excited for the game, and putting on a nice outfit starts it for me. Especially for tunnel fits, if I feel good, I play good. Some teammates weren't into fashion before, but now they're getting out of their shells. It's a type of bonding and self-empowerment," she explained.The Washington, D.C. native's love of style began as a child. She was obsessed with hats and sneakers, staples in her hometown fashion scene. She recalls waiting in long lines for the latest Jordan sneakers and how her love of sneakers evolved into an interest in outfits that complement her favorite shoes. As a tall, slender woman, she learned to find clothes that fit her 6-foot frame. "Growing up, it was hard to find pants that fit lengthwise. It's important to know your body type and what you like. Flare pants add to the illusion of making me look taller," she said.The growth of women's basketball and off-the-court fashion has been remarkable. "Not too long ago, there wasn't much attention on women's basketball. Now, we're at the point where we're talking about the intersection of fashion and women's basketball. I get a lot of positive feedback on my outfits, and I'm looking forward to helping others curate their own style," King added.

Finding the Perfect Pieces

When looking for items, King shops on sites like SSENSE, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Her favorites include Issey Miyake, Who Decides War, and Rick Owens. She also enjoys working with Y/Project because of its versatility. Sometimes, higher-priced items are swapped for similar budget-friendly ones from Aritzia, ASOS, and Zara.King enjoys dressing her teammates, who have different styles, shapes, and sizes. She collaborates with them to find pieces that complement them and gets inspiration from social media influencers and celebrities. "I don't want to copy, but I take inspiration and make it my own. I look at other people's styles and pick from there," she said.

New York Fashion Week Experience

King attended New York Fashion Week in September and networked with stylists and designers. This experience gave her clarity on her styling path. "It showed me where I want to be on the styling side. I don't want to be a clothing designer, but I love styling pieces. I see myself putting things together and adding accessories. It was a great experience," she said.She brings this experience back to the locker room and builds relationships with her teammates. "She's an inspiration. Her vision is what I want my vision to be with outfits. It's cool to work with her and have her help me," sophomore guard Emma Risch said.

Coach Ivey's Fashion Influence

Coach Ivey and her former teammate Julie Henderson remember McGraw's influence on fashion. Ivey gradually changed her fashion choices from inexpensive brands to more high-end pieces as she rose through the ranks. Henderson, now a model, sometimes styles Ivey.They've noticed that Timberland boots are a generational staple, and they've seen the return of teenage fashion trends on current players. "Fashion plays a big role for my players. They want to be aligned with brands and build their own. I love for them to show their personality and use our social media platform to express themselves," Ivey said.Henderson believes fashion positively affects the players. "It allows you to walk into the room as yourself feeling good. Niele and I prayed about the power of her entrance and how it affects the stadium and the girls. Fashion is divine," she said.

Inspiring Teammates

King admires the fashion selections Ivey wears on the sideline and plans to style her coach for a few games later. She looks up to pro players like Arike Ogunbowale and Skylar Diggins-Smith. "Skylar Diggins-Smith is someone I look for on Pinterest for inspiration. A lot of my teammates' styles emulate hers. It's amazing to be a part of the Notre Dame fashion legacy," she said.King creates outfit grids with accessories for her and her teammates to wear on the sideline. "Everybody is excited about the tunnel fits. Having conversations with my teammates and seeing what they like will help us create something good. At the end of the day, being comfortable with what you wear matters," she said.Mia Berry is the senior HBCU writer for Andscape, covering sports and student-led protests. She's a Detroit native and Notre Dame alumna.