Angel Reese isn’t just making plays on the court; she’s rewriting the rules where fashion and basketball collide. The 23-year-old has already solidified her footing in the WNBA as a dynamic frontcourt player, earning her the headline repeatedly. But Reese’s latest headline-grabbing move came through something far more personal- her signature shoe.

The Chicago Sky forward recently headlined Vogue Australia’s 2026 fashion cover while wearing her latest basketball sneakers, Reebok Reese 1s. She became the first athlete to pose for a cover in their signature shoe. In glimpses from the cover shoot, she was seen donning the “Navy Halo” AR1 edition while wearing several exquisite wardrobes. It marks yet another milestone in this “fashion X basketball” crossover she’s pioneering. The news was confirmed by a popular sneaker-focused account on X.

“First female athlete to wear their signature shoe on the cover of Vogue 👏😇 @Reese10Angel,” the caption read.

The Vogue Australia cover edition wasn’t the first time Reese found herself on the cover of this magazine. The 23-year-old also headlined the Vogue winter issue last year. Featuring in the flagship magazine is often the icing on the cake for most. But it was her headline on the regional magazine that created the buzz with the slight addition of her signature basketball shoes.

Her historic move with the magazine, as well as her signature shoe, also comes amid the release of her new edition of Reese 1- the ‘Unapologetically Angel’ colorway. Reebok made it available to the public on March 27. It features a unique color palette of aqua, purple, and blue, unlike the variants her shoe line released last year.

Although Angel Reese didn’t wear them while shooting her Vogue Australia cover, fans didn’t have a shortage of content to share on social media, showcasing their perspectives on the former’s latest off-court endeavor.

Mixed Reactions Follow Angel Reese’s Historic Vogue Cover Issue

“Those are fire 🔥,” wrote a fan. “The standard 👑,” stated another.

Most of the fans, including these, immensely liked Reese’s work on the cover while wearing her signature shoes. After all, several WNBA athletes, including Napheesa Collier and A’ja Wilson, have graced Vogue magazine. But owning the stage in her own way while still serving looks is an achievement that demands appreciation.

In a broader context, the Reese Ar1 shoes also got the opportunity to serve their second purpose besides basketball: blend with fashion. “I am obviously into basketball, but I’m also into fashion, so I wanted something versatile that you can wear on and off the court,” Reese had said after the first line of shoes came out in the market.

“Bro, why do they put those football pads on her?” remarked another. 

Several fans, including these, emphasized Reese’s look on the cover. While it can be a bit subjective, the concept was truly unique. For instance, in most cases, you’d expect a magazine cover model to wear heels or at least minimalist sneakers. But a basketball shoe with the exquisite black dress may give an over-the-top look at first glance. But it’s not the fashion that Reese was trying to tap into with this collaboration.

The Chicago Sky forward’s aspiration from this collaboration was much more than just fashion. “I came to stand behind Australian women’s basketball and continue growing this game globally. This is what it looks like when purpose meets the moment,” Reese said in a statement.

“These are actually a very solid shoe, definitely want me a pair,” chimed in another. 

The Reebok AR 1 shoes are definitely one of the brand’s major hits since their release last year. The initial batch of shoes sold out in minutes, thanks to their perfect versatility as both basketball shoes and regular fashion sneakers. Additionally, the shoe’s context underscores the significance of the overall product. For instance, the AR 1 was the first Reebok signature shoe for a WNBA athlete in around 30 years since Rebecca Lobo’s “The Lobo.”

Thus, neither the significance of the shoe nor its minute details can be overlooked. With the front page of a cover magazine checked off, Angel Reese’s signature shoes now seemingly have just one destination remaining to make the headline: the WNBA. The Chicago Sky forward has used them on the court, including during the Team USA camp back in December.

And with the WNBA set to start in less than two months (May 8), it’s quite certain that the Reebok AR1 shoes will be worn by Reese as she looks to make it a campaign to count in her third year in the WNBA.