Angel Reese did not have to change in an airplane this year- yes, that actually happened, and it was no surprise, honestly, given athletes’ busy schedules. “Last year, I had to get ready on the plane, coming in from my practice, so it’s good to be able to just get glammed here,” Angel Reese told Harper’s Bazaar—and who doesn’t love getting glammed up with more legroom? Back on the Met Gala carpet for the second time, and just a day before turning 23, the WNBA’s style icon wasn’t just dressed to impress—she was dressed to own the night. Wearing a custom black Thom Browne ensemble, Reese gave the classic suit a bold, feminine twist, turning heads with every step. The look wasn’t just fashion-forward; it was a statement. A perfect tribute to this year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”

But this year, Reese didn’t just show up—she leveled up. Invited to the Host Committee of the 2025 Costume Institute Benefit, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with icons like Jeremy O. Harris, Sha’Carri Richardson, Kara Walker, and Edward Enninful. And her look? Unforgettable. Reese and her $130 million fashion collaborator didn’t just understand the assignment—they defined it.

The internet swooned. The designers applauded.

One such designer was Paige Bueckers’ stylist, Brittany Hampton.“Angel Reese killed it. She wore Thom Browne—like, you always see the boys in Thom Browne, but when you see the girls, it’s to die for. And she did that, ” she said.

For those who are unaware, it was Brittany Hampton who styled Paige Bueckers for the WNBA Draft. And Paige absolutely delivered. On the biggest night of her basketball journey so far, going No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, she looked every bit the star she is. Bueckers stepped out in not one but two standout outfits. She made her orange carpet entrance in a custom mocha brown three-piece suit adorned with 200,000 crystals. The outfit, as Hampton called it, was a study in “power dressing” with “liquid rhinestone cascades.” She then switched things up for the draft itself, with a chic black two-piece suit featuring a glittering collar.

But the real scene-stealer? Her accessories. Paige paired the look with a sleek black Coach purse and jewelry from Kay Jewelers, pulling the whole look together in true draft-night fashion.

While the 2025 draft look was a standout moment, Brittany Hampton, a celebrity creative consultant, has been amplifying Bueckers’ sartorial identity since 2021, blending masculine and feminine elements to reflect the UConn star’s personality. So, when Hampton turned her gaze to Reese’s Met Gala appearance, her words carried weight.

She perfectly captured the essence of Thom Browne’s impact when a woman suits up. Thom Browne, often hailed as the coolest fashion designer for his re-imagination of suits, has long been a favorite among male celebrities–from NBA stars like Ben Simmons to rappers like Gunna. Yet, as Hampton implied, when women embrace Browne’s designs, the result is transformative.

Reese’s custom black duchess gown, featuring a cropped trompe l’oeil jacket and an exaggerated hip corset, was a masterclass in modern femininity, perfectly aligning perfectly with the Met Gala’s theme. The gown’s intricate details—sharp collar lines and a surrealist train—demanded attention, as Thom Browne himself posted on X: “Everything is in the details, the stitches demanding attention… on closer inspection, all is not what it seems.”

Also, Reese wasn’t just wearing a Thom Browne dress-tuxedo hybrid—she was wearing herself. The look was pure Angel: bold, elegant, and unapologetically stylish. As she told Vogue back in January, “It’s always been both: basketball and fashion. I was always in my mom’s closet, putting on her stuff. I liked to carry a purse. Hair done. I wanted to look put together. I still do.” And she did look more than put together, dripping in over 107 carats of Graff diamonds, from pear-shaped earrings to an emerald-cut bracelet. You would not be wrong to think that her childhood self must have been proudly peeking out from behind the curtain, giving Reese an enthusiastic nod of approval.

And all of it seems even more special when you think that her birthday was right around the corner, and once again, she made sure she didnt let down her inner child.

Angel Reese had a birthday to remember!

You only turn 23 once! And Angel Reese made sure the moment didn’t go unnoticed. Fresh off slaying at the Met Gala, she kicked off her birthday festivities in full glam mode—rocking a 2000s-inspired all-pink jumpsuit that perfectly matched the pink vibes on her private jet. Add in a sleek leather coat and bold shades, and it was nothing short of iconic.

Her Chicago Sky teammates made sure the Chi Town Barbie felt every bit of the birthday love. Before their preseason clash with the Minnesota Lynx, the squad went all out–decorating the locker room and serenading her with a chorus of “Happy Birthday” during shootaround. Now that’s how you celebrate turning 23 in the W.

But, well, you can guess how hectic her weekend must have been. On Sunday, she was in NYC for Met Gala and after that, she hurriedly flew back to Chicago, landing at 2 a.m. on Tuesday. When she could finally type while breathing normally, she took to X to share how tired she was: now i can tweet…. I MADE IT THROUGH 😭 God DID cause whew chileeeee im TIREDDDD.”

That’s how our Bayou Barbie is! Always juggling and hustling a whole caboodle of things, but also living her fullest.