The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode: How WNBA Star A’ja Wilson Found Her Style

Date: March 24, 2026
Hosts: Chloe Malle & Iggy Murillo
Guest: A’ja Wilson, WNBA All-Star

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson for a rich conversation about the evolution of her personal style, her journey in the WNBA, breaking into global fashion spaces, and what it means to be both an elite athlete and a modern style icon. Touching on themes of self-expression, confidence, and persistence, Wilson shares inside stories on everything from contract negotiations to the significance of a good manicure. The conversation is lively, relatable, and candid, offering new perspectives on what it means to thrive in sports, culture, and fashion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WNBA Negotiations & Leadership

• League Negotiations (03:03 – 05:05):
  • Discussion of the ongoing WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement and what it means for the future of women’s basketball.
    • A’ja Wilson: “We're negotiating. We're going to keep going. And I fully trust our players association and what they're doing.”
  • The legacy impact: fighting now so the next generation won’t have to (“The next generation, they won't have to fight for the things that we're still fighting for. And I think that's so key.” – 04:22)
  • The Vegas franchise as “the standard” in player treatment and amenities.

2. Evolution of WNBA & Player Visibility

• From Locker Rooms to Vogue (05:05 – 06:15):
  • Early league days required players to remove all personal items after each game; now locker rooms are designed with players' needs (like glam rooms, mirrors).
  • A’ja Wilson: “We are now being in spaces and rooms... I mean, look at me. I’m a basketball player sitting here in Vogue—like, this is huge.”
  • Visibility and normalization of athletes (especially women) in fields outside of sports.

3. Marketability, Challenges & Internet Trolls

• Facing Criticism (06:15 – 08:34):
  • Wilson addresses longstanding stereotypes around “marketability” and navigating online negativity.
    • A’ja Wilson: “People have called me not marketable for the longest…maybe I’m not in your market, but I'm definitely going to be in a market that I love, and I'm going to continue to flourish in that.”
  • Advice on handling trolls: “Not everyone deserves your energy. Sometimes you have to create those boundaries...” (07:37)
  • The importance of loving yourself and not changing for critics.

4. Personal Fashion Journey

• Early Fashion Memories (09:27 – 10:22):
  • Wilson’s first fashion love? Garments with her back out—even as a toddler.
    • A’ja Wilson: “My parents always laugh at me because at a young age, I would love things with my back out.”
• Finding Her Style (10:22 – 12:44):
  • College coach Dawn Staley teased her about her “Claire's” accessory phase.
  • Real style blossomed post-college, enabled by greater means and the increased importance of “tunnel walks”—what players wear before games.
  • Challenges of fit (“For me and my size… I can’t just pull something off a rack... sometimes I have to lean more into menswear.” – 12:01)

5. Signature Shoe (A2) Launch & Design (12:50 – 14:54):

• European Launch Tour (12:50 – 13:34):
  • First athlete to debut a signature shoe overseas.
  • A’ja Wilson: “That part of the world loves women’s basketball and they love me, obviously, and had to give them an opportunity to get that access.”
• Design Details (13:41 – 14:54):
  • Prioritizing comfort, durability, and personal touches (like a star and a tattoo with the message “you have to face setbacks in order to move forward”).
  • Signature pink color for the shoes; unique “player exclusive” editions referencing her favorite characters.

6. On Self-Expression, Fashion Icons, and Family Influence

• Expressing Identity (15:00 – 16:02, 23:35 – 24:41):
  • Shoes as a key mode of on-court self-expression.
  • Frequent collaboration with stylist Kasey; tunnel walk looks draw on vintage, 90s/2000s references, and blending feminine and masculine pieces.
• Family Input (24:50 – 25:59):
  • Mother remains a steady (and vocal) fashion critic, even texting feedback during press conferences.
  • A’ja Wilson: “My mom’s gonna be like, uh, wow.”

7. Met Gala, Celebrity, and Fashion Regrets (25:58 – 27:15):

• Wilson joins the year’s Met Gala host committee alongside Beyoncé:
  • A’ja Wilson: “I’m honestly so blessed to be part of the Met. It’s been a huge thing I’ve watched so now to be a part of it is amazing.”
• Mood board is still in progress, but she insists comfort is key for her ensemble.

8. Glam Routine & Tunnel Fits (22:27 – 24:41):

• On/off season nails:
  • Short, “serious” nails for basketball; longer, more designed nails for off-season.
  • A’ja Wilson: “I love my nails. I don’t know what it is about it. I just love it.”

9. Relationship & Personal Life

• Competitive Couple (16:44 – 18:54, 28:32 – 29:23):
  • Playful rivalry with boyfriend Bam (noted for recently scoring 83 points in a game, breaking NBA records).
  • Maintaining color-coded calendars for family scheduling (pink for A’ja, blue for Bam, etc.) (19:53 – 20:19).
  • “He’s my peace, he’s my safe space.” (19:07)
• TV and Hobbies (20:22 – 21:00, 28:32 – 29:23):
  • Currently binge-watching Scandal, Lincoln Lawyer, and Reasonable Doubt.
  • Loves Uno and escape rooms—competitive even in leisure (“I’m the queen of Uno.” – 28:35).

10. Film, Branding & Turning 30

• Voice Acting in “Goat” (29:28 – 30:52):
  • Voiced a crocodile in Steph Curry-produced animated film Goat, featuring a boy looking up to a WNBA player.
• Nike Campaign “A’ja Wilson on Top” (31:04 – 31:55):
  • Nike campaign features a play on the nursery rhyme “Miss Mary Mack,” with Wilson’s family, church, and community roots.
• Future Ambitions (32:12 – 32:44):
  • Potential “A’ja Wilson Show”—open to hosting but a little nervous.
• Turning 30 (32:41 – 33:09):
  • Possible “Mardi Gras”–themed celebration, but planning TBD during basketball season.

11. Advice & Reflections

• Money and Happiness (33:15 – 34:03):
  • Spent on gum surgery to perfect her smile: “It absolutely can buy happiness!”
• Being Greedy for the Wins (34:21 – 35:40):
  • A’ja Wilson: “I’m greedy for me. Whatever’s in my path, whatever’s in front of me and I can obtain it, I’m going to take it.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On owning her height and heels:
  • “Who cares if I’m the tallest in the room? I love that. I feel like—oh my god—it’s my God-given gift. So why not show it off?” (02:31)
• On criticism:
  • “Maybe I’m not in your market, but I’m definitely gonna be in a market that I love.” (06:22)
• On styling challenges:
  • “Sometimes I have to lean more into menswear... their clothes fit better. But I love it—I can make it more feminine when I throw on a heel.” (12:01)
• On her favorite tunnel fit designer:
  • “Jacquemus right now has me in a chokehold. I don’t know how, but it’s so… I love the fit, I love the feel.” (24:34)
• On family support:
  • “He’s my peace. He’s my safe space. If I’m really bored, he’ll be like, let’s just go do an escape room.” (19:07)
• On being greedy:
  • “I’m greedy for all the wins in life. Big, small… And hopefully I can get those things.” (34:33)

Important Timestamps

• 03:03–05:05 : WNBA CBA negotiations & franchise standards
• 05:05–06:15 : Transformation in WNBA locker rooms & player visibility
• 06:15–08:34 : Navigating criticism and social media boundaries
• 09:27–10:22 : First fashion memories, family stories
• 12:50–14:54 : Signature A2 shoe drop and design process
• 15:00–16:02 : Shoe self-expression and player exclusives
• 19:53–20:19 : Color-coded calendar and relationship routines
• 22:27–24:41 : Glam and fashion routines, tunnel fit strategy
• 25:58–27:15 : Met Gala anticipation, celebrity encounters
• 28:32–29:23 : Competitive spirit in games and off-court fun
• 32:41–33:09 : Turning 30: celebration plans
• 34:33–35:40 : “Greedy for the wins:” A’ja’s life philosophy

Final Takeaways

A’ja Wilson offers a shining example of what it means to be both an elite athlete and a multidimensional, authentic self. With humor and honesty, she reveals that style is about confidence, evolution, and self-love—on and off the court. Whether she’s designing signature sneakers, walking the Met Gala carpet, or just dominating a game of Uno, Wilson encourages women to “be greedy for the wins” and create space at every table—with great shoes, of course.