How WNBA Star A’ja Wilson Found Her Style

WNBA star Aja Wilson's love for fashion started when she was just a toddler. “My parents always laugh at me because at a young age I would love things with my back out. I don't know why I would love a good top with my back out. Like, I'm a toddler and my onesie needs to have its back out.” A’ja recalls as she sits down with Head of Editorial Content Chloe Malle and Vogue's Global Casting Director Ignacio Murillo on The Run-Through Podcast.

Wilson’s style has evolved since she was first drafted to the Las Vegas Aces in 2018. She is entering the second year of her Nike signature athlete journey and her latest shoe the A'Two has debuted in Europe. “The process is always pretty hands-on for me. I love to try to make it something for the consumer, but also very comfortable for myself and also durable,” says Wilson. “There's also a tattoo of mine in the tongue of the shoe. It's a sign that says ‘You have to face setbacks in order to move forward.’ So, I feel like that's something everyone can relate to.”

Although lately, there has been cause for celebration rather than setbacks in Wilson’s life as her boyfriend Bam Adebayo who plays for the Miami Heat recently scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards and now  the second-highest total in NBA history.  A record previously held by the late Kobe Bryant. 

“I was actually just sitting in the car for a little bit. I was running a little late, but that's nothing new.” Wilson says about her whereabouts during the record setting game. “And then when I go in and I'm in the tunnel and I just hear his name, they're like, “Bam scored again.”

“And I'm like, I can't go sit down. And I'm just hiding in the tunnel just enough that I can see the jumbotron. But then finally I go sit down and then he misses his first free throw. And I'm just like, “Oh my gosh, it's me.” But at the same time, I know that's how the game goes,’ says Wilson.

“I've seen all the work that [Bam’s] been through. Now it's paying off. And I am so happy that he's able to have that moment in his history. It's pretty cool to kind of see him flourish in that space.” 

Off the court, Wilson says the duo are enthralled by watching Shonda Rhimes’s 2012 hit TV show Scandal for the first time. “It's popping in our household and we love us some Olivia Pope and some Jake Ballad and Fitz,” says Wilson. “Those are our homies. I feel like we're just best friends at this point.”

The Run-Through with Vogue is your go-to podcast where fashion meets culture. Hosted by Chloe Malle, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue U.S.; Chioma Nnadi, Head of British Vogue; and Nicole Phelps, Director of Vogue Runway, each episode features the latest fashion news and exclusive designer and celebrity interviews.

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