Podcast Summary: Fashion People – "Sports People"

Podcast: Fashion People
Host: Lauren Sherman (Puck)
Guest: Kyle Smith (Fashion Editor, NFL)
Date: February 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the lively intersection of fashion and sports. Host Lauren Sherman sits down with Kyle Smith, the NFL’s first-ever fashion editor, to explore the growing influence of athlete style—especially around the Super Bowl, the evolution of “tunnel fashion,” Margot Robbie’s press tour looks, major creative director moves in fashion, and the Olympics’ role in shaping (and reflecting) global style. The conversation blends pop culture, industry gossip, and real talk about how fashion’s expanding influence is changing everything from the locker room to the red carpet.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fashion Week & Super Bowl Festivities

• Lauren recaps her busy New York Fashion Week schedule: events with Oscar de la Renta, a live podcast with Daniela Kallmeier, and Starbucks-sponsored dinners. She highlights co-hosting a Super Bowl party with Oscar de la Renta and the unique energy of the week.
  [02:20–03:25]

2. Kyle’s Role at the NFL: "I Made It Up"

• Kyle describes inventing his own role as Fashion Editor of the NFL, focusing on:
  • Education: Teaching players how fashion can build their personal brands, especially through the league’s “helmet off” content.
  • Brand Collaborations: Cultivating partnerships that reach Gen Z, women, and nontraditional NFL audiences.
  • Styling & Player Outreach: Acting as a point person for creative shoots and player requests—“Anything that says fashion goes to me.”
  • Career Path: Transitioned from celebrity styling (Carla Welch, Amiri PR) to NFL Network, started spotlighting player style on Instagram, then was recruited by the NFL post-pandemic.
    [04:00–07:44]
  • Quote: “My job at the NFL, I made it up, so I figure out what that means every day.” – Kyle [04:23]

3. The Rise of Athlete Style and "Tunnel Fashion"

• Lauren and Kyle discuss how players’ arrival outfits (first popularized in the NBA) are now a vital narrative in all sports—enabling athletes to communicate personality, align with fashion trends, and reach new fans.
• World Building: Kyle views fashion as a way for players to tell their stories beyond the game.
  • Quote: “Helmet off content is huge for us. We really want to give our players a voice and an identity outside their uniform.” – Kyle [04:26]
  • Relatability Through Style: Kyle encourages players to express genuine interests (“Don’t just wear brands because they’re popular; pay attention to what makes you, you.”) [09:53]
  • Music & Merch Crossover: Noting that even athlete T-shirt choices (e.g., Miley Cyrus band tees) can spark crossover interest.
    [07:44–10:19]

4. Super Bowl & GQ Bowl Highlights

• Kyle spent Super Bowl weekend networking, attending events like the GQ Bowl, and mingling with celebrities like Rosé (BLACKPINK) and Diplo.
• GQ Bowl x Thom Browne: Emotional highpoint for Kyle, who styled several players (Dustin Jefferson, DeAndre Hopkins, Marcus Allen) in the show, discussing Marcus Allen’s transition from football to modeling.
  • Quote: “I always cry at a Thom Browne fashion show. I just want to live in his world.” – Kyle [11:59]
    Multiple segments: [10:19–13:08]

5. The Offseason: "Crazier Than the Season Itself"

• Contrary to assumptions, Kyle outlines the chaos and potential of NFL offseason, including the draft (new players’ “first red carpet”), players attending global fashion events (Tokyo, Met Gala), and prepping for next year’s LA Super Bowl.
  [13:10–14:33]

6. Margot Robbie’s Wuthering Heights Press Tour

• Lauren and Kyle dissect Margot Robbie’s “world-building” through her press tour wardrobe styled by Andrew Mukamal—blending literary references (bodices, vintage pieces, couture) while maintaining modern relevance.
  • Lauren is especially taken with daring looks from Dilara Findikoglu, John Galliano, and Thom Browne, calling them “tremendous, a little bit campy but not too campy.”
  • Quote: “It’s so hard these days to get that stuff right, and I thought they did a really good job with it.” – Lauren [22:30]
    [16:37–24:15]

7. Major Fashion Moves: Peter Mulier to Versace

• Commentary on Peter Mulier’s newly announced move from Alaïa to Versace:
  • Both see him as a strong, modern designer; curious how his clean, body-con aesthetic will adapt to the baroque spirit of Versace, especially regarding color and accessories.
  • Quote: “If he can bring his talent that he had with Alaïa to Versace, I’ll be really curious what that can look like from him.” – Kyle [26:26]
    [24:15–27:11]

8. Olympics Style Report: Milan-Cortina 2026

• Lauren recaps the Olympic opening ceremonies—lots of Armani and Moncler, but “not that amazing” style-wise. She reflects on the importance of independent Italian brands and the spectacle of “off-duty” Olympic fashion (team uniforms, village gear, collabs with Skims, J.Crew, GAP).
  • Cites nostalgia for iconic uniforms of the 1990s, notes current designs are more generic due to sponsorships.
  • Expresses more interest in “what people are wearing off the slopes” than on the field.
    [29:09–36:20]

9. The Future: Flag Football’s Olympic Debut (LA 2028)

• Kyle confirms that flag football is set for its Olympic debut at LA 2028, with the potential inclusion of NFL athletes and official merch collaborations with major artists.
  • Quote: “It’s going to be in the Olympics. And... pretty sure it was just approved that we could have our players or NFL athletes be the flag football Olympians.” – Kyle [39:05]
    Lauren and Kyle both express excitement for new overlaps between sports and fashion.

10. Final Notes & Invitations

• Both end with mutual admiration and jokes about seeing each other at future Fashion Weeks—maybe even at the Paris NFL game.
  [39:35–40:00]

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On crafting the NFL Fashion Editor role: “My job at the NFL, I made it up, so I figure out what that means every day.” – Kyle [04:23]
• On helmet-off content and player individuality: “We really want to be able to give our players a voice and an identity outside of their uniform and helmet.” – Kyle [04:26]
• On Margot Robbie/Andrew Mukamal’s tour looks: “It was, like, a little bit campy, but not too campy... I thought she looked tremendous in every single look.” – Lauren [18:37]
• On Super Bowl fashion energy: “The Super Bowl is my Super Bowl, you know.” – Kyle [03:39]
• On NFL offseason chaos: “Think offseason is a time for me to chill out, but it’s really not because that’s when players are out and about.” – Kyle [13:26]
• On fashion’s new freedom and the secondhand market: “What I love about fashion today is that it is less dictatorial than ever... a lot of that freedom comes from access to the secondhand market.” – Lauren [27:01]
• On Olympic fashion: “My sort of negative Nelly take is that the uniforms for the opening ceremony weren’t that great. And I’m much more interested to see what people are wearing off the slopes.” – Lauren [36:20]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [04:00–07:44]: Kyle’s career path and unique role at the NFL
• [07:44–10:19]: Athlete style, tunnel fashion, how fashion builds new audiences for sports
• [10:19–13:08]: Super Bowl, GQ Bowl, styling NFL players in high fashion
• [16:37–24:15]: Analysis of Margot Robbie's Wuthering Heights press tour
• [24:15–27:11]: Peter Mulier to Versace—reactions and predictions
• [29:09–36:20]: Milan-Cortina Olympics, national uniforms, fashion sponsorships
• [38:12–39:27]: Flag football’s Olympic future and official merch plans
• [39:35–40:00]: Goodbyes and plans for future Fashion Weeks

Tone & Style

Casual, witty, and insider-y—full of industry side-notes (“not that many interesting people, just we"), sarcasm (“I have like one brain cell left”), and enthusiastic validation (“That was my job there. I was just taking photos for a few magazine diaries…”). Lauren is openly self-deprecating about her sports knowledge, while Kyle brings energetic, irreverent vibes from both the fashion and sports worlds.

Summary for New Listeners

Whether you’re a sports fan, dedicated fashionista, or just love cultural crossovers, this episode distills what’s really moving the needle in both industries—highlighting the stories behind the runway, the locker room, and everywhere style is reshaping identity and relevance. From the Super Bowl to the Olympics, and from star athletes to Margot Robbie’s couture extravaganza, Fashion People gives you the sharp, informed context you need to be in-the-know—without ever taking itself too seriously.