Introduction
At the heart of where fashion and sports combine, Brittany Hampton has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping how women’s basketball players express themselves off the court. An American stylist of Filipino origin, creative director, and designer, Hampton’s journey from learning from her fashion grandma to becoming one of the most prominent stylists for WNBA stars is a testament to her ingenuity, creativity and commitment to women’s empowerment.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
BH was introduced to fashion really early. She was heavily influenced by her grandma, who was a fashion designer and the founder of FAYE (Fashion Arts and Youth Enterprise) in San Francisco. Her Filipino origin made her appreciate the intricacy of designs and how clothing can be leveraged as a tool for storytelling. Speaking to Vogue Philippines, she said
‘That’s where the full fashion element came into it for me. I knew then that I wanted to be a designer.’
Not also forgetting her Bay Area roots, her style was also shaped by the streetwear culture of the 80s and 90s. She developed an affinity with underground fashion and hip-hop-inspired looks. Understanding cultural heritage and blending it with streetwear is the reason BH is eclectic— she’s able to balance high fashion with everyday accessible styles.
BH, FASHION AND SPORTS
BH’s pivot to sports styling started with a serendipitous meeting with NBA star Russell Westbrook during a 2014 DVF runway show. It takes a lot to impress Westbrook but BH did that seamlessly. For this reason, Westbrook recruited her as the junior creative director for his clothing brand, Honor The Gift, where she spearheaded the women’s and kids’ divisions and styled his on- and off-court looks.
This was where the breakthrough story started. Her experience with Honor the Gift introduced her to the unique challenges of styling athletes (the tall ones particularly). Speaking to the WNBA, she said
‘Working with Honor The Gift was a defining moment in my career, especially when it came to styling female athletes. We saw a gap in the market—female athletes didn’t have access to streetwear brands that catered to their height and build. I helped bring the women’s division to light, creating something unique with Russell and the team.’
BH AND THE WNBA
We can’t speak enough of BH’s impact on women’s basketball. The first WNBA player she ever styled was Paige Bueckers and she hasn’t stopped there. She has styled Nika Mühl, Sabrina Ionescu, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and is currently the fashion strategist for the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Collective. BH has taken pre-game tunnel walks to a whole new level— one that could rival fashion week.
BH is not just throwing a fit on you and asking you to roll with it. Her approach is deeply rooted in storytelling and leveraging fashion as a tool that reflects an athlete’s personal identity and journey. Speaking to Vogue Philippines, she said
‘ It’s about understanding who they are now and who they will become …… ‘
MORE THAN A STYLIST OR DESIGNER
BH is not your regular stylist or designer. She’s a fierce advocate for empowerment and inclusivity. She has championed size-inclusive designs, pulling from both men’s and women’s collections to create gender-fluid looks that cater to athletic builds.
She’s having so much cultural impact on the game. She considers herself a floor raiser for athletes to become cultural icons. When speaking to the WNBA, she said
‘When young women see these players in the tunnel, they envision their future in that spotlight….’
She is pushing for a future where athletes are celebrated for more than how good they play a sport but also for their multifaceted identities.
Conclusion
At Athlete Vanity, we don’t just celebrate athletes. We also celebrate those who put in work to make sure that these athletes appear in the best light and BH is one of those. She’s an epitome of resilience. A woman of color navigating the male-dominated sports industry, Hampton’s perseverance and professionalism have earned her respect. Then, her impact on women’s basketball is undeniable as she uses fashion and style to boost the confidence of the amazing women she works with. She has shown us that indeed, fashion is transformative.
