Staying true to her motto, “Dress good to look good. Look good to feel good. And feel good to run fast!,” the fastest woman ever, Florence Griffith Joyner, aka Flo-Jo, took the track and fashion world by storm. Flo-Jo’s passion for style and fashion shone through her iconic track ensembles, from the daring one-legged bodysuit and elegant white lace catsuit to the sleek hooded speed skating catsuit, showcasing her innovative spirit far beyond her years. Did you know she designed her racing uniforms and announced a desire to become a fashion designer?

This dream came to fruition when an intern recognized Flo-Jo’s potential to revolutionize not just track fashion but also basketball attire. The idea of Flo-Jo designing basketball fits was approved as part of a makeover project for the Indiana Pacers in the 1980s. However, amidst the excitement of this collaboration, did you also know that, scared of Reggie Miller and the Pacers’ denial, Flo-Jo avoided outrage over her one-leggers while designing iconic jerseys?

How Flo-Jo designed the uniform for the Indiana Pacers in a bold yet mindful way

According to NBA.com, in 1989, the worlds of Florence Griffith Joyner and the Indiana Pacers collided. Flo-Jo, a renowned Olympic sprinter, found herself intersecting with the Pacers, a basketball team seeking to redefine its identity after a challenging season. It was Rebecca Polihronis, an unpaid intern in the Pacers’ front office, who recognized the potential synergy between Flo-Jo’s passion for fashion design and the team’s need for a fresh look.

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Proposing the idea of Flo-Jo designing the Pacers’ uniforms as part of a rebranding effort, Polihronis sparked a transformative collaboration. The concept got approval from the Pacers’ front office, leading to Flo-Jo’s enlistment in the design process. At a press conference held at Market Square Arena on June 29, 1989, Flo-Jo unveiled her vision, expressing her commitment to creating 13 possible designs.

Flo-Jo said, “The first reaction of a lot of people is that it will be bizarre,” yet she assured skeptics that the new uniforms would be bold yet wearable and “no one-leggers or lace.” General manager Donnie Walsh shared that while Flo-Jo’s designs were inspired by her unique style, they remained tailored for the basketball court like those of Reggie Miller, Greg Dreiling, LaSalle Thompson, and others. So how did Flo-Jo revolutionize the Indiana Pacers style?

How did her design stand out?

Flo-Jo’s innovative approach introduced unique elements such as V-neck jerseys, longer shorts, and stretch fabrics, setting the uniforms apart with a modern and stylish flair. Despite their unconventional design, the uniforms were met with widespread acclaim from fans and players alike, and were admired for their boldness and practicality on the court. Chuck Person even praised the darker tone and longer shorts, sharing, “I loved them.”

Today, all veteran Pacers fans immediately recall the uniforms “the Flo-Jo’s,” for their unique design, material, and conception. As we reflect on this convergence of the basketball world and the track and field world, it’s clear that Florence Griffith Joyner’s futuristic style is still trending 26 years after her death.