The WNBA’s Secret Weapon: How Brittany Hampton Is Redefining Athlete Style
Meet Brittany Hampton, the Filipina-American stylist whose name is becoming synonymous with the evolving image of women’s sports. From her art deco-inspired Los Angeles apartment—a treasure trove of Black artist monographs, vintage Vogue magazines, and luxury candles—Hampton is reshaping how we see female athletes, one outfit at a time. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is fashion the missing piece in elevating women’s sports to the same cultural status as men’s? Hampton’s work suggests it just might be.
Fresh off a whirlwind year, Hampton has been making waves in the industry. Last May, she joined the Golden State Valkyries Collective and creative-directed their inaugural fashion show, blending sports and style in a way that’s both bold and unapologetic. She headlined a panel at the espnW: Women + Sports Summit, mentored tennis star Sloane Stephens, and styled Nika Mühl, the Seattle Storm’s point guard, who was recently crowned GQ’s best-dressed rookie. And let’s not forget Paige Bueckers, the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year, whom Hampton affectionately calls her “good luck Chuck.”
When Hampton first met Bueckers in 2022 for a StockX shoot, the NCAA player was edgy and cool but fashion-clueless. Fast forward two years, and Bueckers stunned the internet in an all-white Louis Vuitton suit at the 2024 draft. Hampton also styled her professional debut in 2025, when she was drafted No. 1 to the Dallas Wings. And this is the part most people miss: Hampton’s work isn’t just about clothes—it’s about transforming athletes into icons, both on and off the court.
Hampton’s journey to this point is as inspiring as her work. Raised by her maternal grandmother, who ran an organization teaching young girls to sew, Hampton’s passion for fashion was nurtured early. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco, she moved to Los Angeles with nothing but a mattress strapped to her car. Her hard work paid off when, at just 23, she was tapped to lead in-house styling for Nickelodeon internationally.
At Nickelodeon, Hampton honed her skill for character-building, ensuring stars like Miranda Cosgrove looked relatable rather than runway-ready. “We are curating the trajectory of who these women are about to become,” she says of her work with young athletes. But stepping into her own power hasn’t been easy. “It’s been hard, f— hard,” she admits, reflecting on the industry’s historical sidelining of stylists. Bold question: As stylists like Law Roach (Zendaya’s go-to) gain prominence, is Hampton’s rise a sign of a larger shift in how we value fashion’s role in sports?
Today, Hampton’s “eclectic” style—a mix of femme fatale, sporty, and goth—reflects her grandmother’s fashion mantra: quality, color, and taste. Off-duty, she’s all about athleisure, but when she dresses up, she does it with purpose. “Sometimes I pop up on set and Paige’s like, ‘What are you wearing?’ and I’m just like, ‘Oh, please,’” she laughs.
As women’s basketball continues to grow—with a $200 million battle for expansion teams and cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia joining the league—Hampton’s work feels more crucial than ever. She’s not just styling athletes; she’s helping them command the same respect and visibility as their male counterparts. Thought-provoking question for you: Do you think fashion has the power to level the playing field in sports? Let’s debate in the comments!
