The New York Liberty Brought Championship Style to the 2025 Met Gala
“I dress powerful women,” designer Sergio Hudson tells Vogue the evening before the 2025 Met Gala. So there was perhaps no group more fitting to wear his work to the affair than New York Liberty owner Clara Wu Tsai and three of the team’s standout players: Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones, and Breanna Stewart. “To see Clara being such a boss is quintessential Sergio Hudson,” the designer says of Tsai, who is attending the Met Gala for the first time this year.
Styled by Courtney Mays—known for her impactful, boundary-pushing work with athletes like Chris Paul, Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe, and Kevin Love—the reigning WNBA Champions wore looks that spoke to their individuality, but also nodded to this year’s theme and Costume Institute exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
“Our looks are inspired by three themes from the Met exhibit,” Tsai explains. “‘Distinction,’ ‘Freedom,’ and ‘Champion.’ We felt these themes aligned perfectly with our team values.”
For Tsai, Hudson fashioned an elegant strapless black gown with contrasting white lace. Ionescu, meanwhile, is wearing a tuxedo jacket paired with a white bustier and floor-grazing black skirt. “I would describe my look as chic, comfortable, effortless, and timeless,” the star guard says. “I was drawn to this outfit because I knew it would look and feel elegant while still feeling like I’m me in my own skin.” 2024 WNBA Finals MVP Jonquel Jones offers similar sentiments about her double-breasted croc-embossed blazer. “My look is a great representation of me and how I show up,” she says. “It s a play on masculinity and femininity, and proves that there is an intersection where you can live, and thrive.” Hudson, Breanna Stewart says, “wanted to know how I move, what I feel strong in, what I feel beautiful in—and then he designed around that. The result was a relaxed cream-colored suit, topped off with a dramatic overcoat and hat tilted to the side. “The look is bold and structured, but there’s movement and grace in it, too,” Stewart says. “That balance really spoke to me. I wanted something that honored who I am: someone who aims to inspire and lead in my grounded power, but never at the cost of softness or kindness.”
