Noah Lyles may just be one of the most fashionable and zany athletes out there, much akin to the late Flo-Jo. Veering back to what’s trending and hip in the fashion world, a newfound victor, Daryll Neita harbors an unprecedented liking towards fashion and Noah Lyles. Back in the day, people considered sports and fashion to be two completely different avenues, but nowadays it’s a symbiotic relationship.

However, with modernization setting in, the barrier between the two broke and athletes are now not afraid to bring out their fashion game. British sprinter Neita is surely one of the stylish ones in track and field, a modern-day Sha’Carri Richarson, if you will. Having defeated Sha’Carri Richarson in the Shanghai Diamond League, Daryll Neita seems to be over the moon. She clocked an impressive 22.62s in the 200m discipline to steal the gold away from Richardson. Richardson is someone who is widely projected as the fashion heir of the iconic Flo-Jo. But following the impeccable win, Daryll Neita revealed her admiration for Noah Lyles’ fashion sense, instead of Richardson. 

Speaking of modern-day athletes who have blended fashion with sports, Noah Lyles definitely comes in as a frontrunner. He has an incredible taste of fashion and is often spotted by mesmerizing fans with his out-of-the-box style, be it his garish hairdos or his painted on-fleek nails. What’s more, the US track sensation also performs his signature walk-ins ahead of his events. Carrying forward to the trend, Noah Lyles was recently seen attending the Milan Fashion Week. Touted as one of the ‘Big Four’ fashion weeks, Lyles’ presence was a treat to watch for both his fans and fashion enthusiasts. 

And it is this exact aura of Noah Lyles that has left Daryll Neita wowed. Citing her admiration for the US track star, she said, “Noah is always dressed in something cool. Always doing the fashion walk-ins.” Neita further revealed that Lyles had previously approached her to participate in one of his walk-ins. But a nervous Neita declined. Opening up about her lack of confidence, the athlete stated, “He does ask me sometimes: ‘Are you going to walk before the race?’ Honestly, I don’t think I’m there yet where I’m thinking about my pre-race outfit.” This very pre-race outfit concept is something that Noah has single-handedly popularized lately. Last year, Lyles had organized a walk-in at the Millrose Games in New York City.

Track and field go fashion forward, courtesy of Noah Lyles

Although several athletes were up for the action, they also had a bag full of questions about it. And Lyles was there to address those. “I had to explain what the idea was to a lot of athletes, which I thought was going to be the easiest part because everyone watches the N.B.A. and N.F.L. But I guess I’m the only one that pays attention,” Lyles had said back then. After that, he ideated the entire set up for the run including outfits to photography. Lynna Irby-Jackson, Gabby Thomas, Freddie Crittenden, Noah Williams, and Anna Hall showed up in the run on that occasion. Interestingly, on some occasions, Noah’s fashion outings also took into consideration the advantages in the track.

For his third appearance at the World Athletics Championships 2023, he sported a new aerodynamic hairdo which he had claimed could shave precious milliseconds off his times minimising wind resistance. After his smashing performance of grabbing three titles in that meet, we are compelled to think that his claims were not completely baseless. Interestingly, such a fashionista also had his blues before his runway debut.

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Noah was also nervous before walking in the Milan Fashion Week. “Walking the Runway soon… kinda nervous,” he had written. Therefore, we do not think that is much of a hindrance for Neita. Interestingly, Daryll Neita’s inclination towards fashion dates back to her college days. As it turns out, Daryll Neita would have been in fashion if her athletic stars did not align. 

A shifting tide, for the betterment of the sport 

Speaking of an alternate career, Daryll Neita did not have to think twice before choosing fashion. The 27-year-old detailed that she registered herself to Storm Model Management. Her academy also got hold of a young Kate Moss, which further added to the excitement of Daryll Neita. She attended the Milan Fashion Week and questioned the need for more sports stars to embrace fashion. 

Elaborating on the matter further, Daryll Neita said, “I feel people are tapping into their hobbies more and you’re probably seeing that with their fashion.” But why is a certain fashion revolution there on the tracks and why the track stars are actively participating in that? Gabby Thomas has the precise reply.

“It’s really good for the sport. Any time you can do something that can support and promote track and field as a whole, I’ll be there to do it,” Gabby promised. Some athletes attribute it to the changing mindset of the track fans. “I think it’s kind of like this exodus out of the old generation of track and field where it’s solely based on track and field,” Cooper Teare, the reigning national champion in the 1500 meters has to say. Notably, the international governing body of track and field also seems to be embracing this.

This year, World Athletics has worked with Maya Bruney—the architect behind the flourishing Instagram account Track and Fits—to help showcase the outfits of the sport’s biggest stars. Bruney (2017 European junior champion in the 200 meters), photographs athletes before meets and posts them to the Track and Fits and World Athletics Instagram accounts showcasing brands they are wearing. Bruney has an interesting approach. “I don’t care about how you perform, I just care what you’re wearing,” she said.

This shifting tide might eventually turn more eyes to track and field increasing viewership. That will surely be good news for the sport which is reeling with the difficulty of gaining recognition beyond the Olympic years. “I refuse to just be another athlete that is known for running. It’s not me,” Noah Lyles had said once. This very persona of him just got another supporter in Daryll Neita.