All the Athletes Seen at the Met Gala This Year

All the Athletes Seen at the Met Gala This Year

The first Monday in May has now passed, which means the 2022 Met Gala is now one for the history books. Dubbed as ‘fashion’s biggest night out,’ the Met Gala – also known as the Met Ball or the Met Gala Ball – is where celebrities and fashion moguls strut their stuff with peers. 

The Met Gala is an annual celebration of fashion and fundraiser honoring the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and its new exhibit. Every year, there’s a theme that attendees follow – for example, last year’s theme was  “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.”

The theme for this year’s Met Gala falls in line with the “In America” theme from last year. This year’s rendition is called “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion,” otherwise dubbed as “Gilded Glamour.” Attendees were asked to “embody the grandeur of Gilded Age New York.” 

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Which Athletes Appeared at the Met Gala This Year?

All the Athletes Seen at the Met Gala This Year
Tinseltown / Shutterstock

This year’s Met Gala was hosted by Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The event took place on May 2, 2022 and those that were invited to attend were kept a secret until they arrived at the red carpet. That’s when we saw everyone dressed to the theme.

Some of the celebrities that were invited to this year’s event include Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson, Shawn Mendes, Jodie Turner-Smith, Olivia Rodrigo, Janelle Monáe, Phoebe Bridgers, Alicia Keys, Lily Aldridge, Shalom Harlow, and Nicola Peltz Beckham

Although the night commemorates the fashion industry, it’s commonplace for athletes to attend the Met Gala. In fact, some of the athletes at the event this year were considered some of the best-dressed – which isn’t surprising, given how important fashion is to some famous athletes. 

8. Caroline Wozniacki & David Lee

Caroline Wozniacki was seen at the Met Gala with husband David Lee. The two announced their relationship on Valentines Day 2017 and later got engaged in mid-November 2017. They got married in mid-June 2019 and had their first child two years later – a daughter named Oliva. 

Wozniacki is a retired Danish tennis player who spent 71 weeks as the No. 1 player in the world. She turned pro in 2005 and took her final bow in 2020. She won over $35 million in prize money, had a 635-264 singles record, 30 career singles titles, and won the 2018 Australian Open. 

Lee is a retired American basketball player that was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 30th overall pick in 2005. He spent 12 seasons in the league, averaging 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 29.3 minutes per game (829 games played).

Although they aren’t active athletes in their respective sport, they enjoyed great success in their prime – Lee even won the 2015 NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors. They’ve become fixtures at the Met Gala and this likely won’t be the last time we see them at the event.

7. Venus Williams

https://twitter.com/21metgala/status/1521258893892067328

Wozniacki wasn’t the only tennis player representing the sport at the 2022 Met Gala. Venus Williams, who’s also a fixture at the event in recent years, was wearing a three-piece all-black suit. She looked as stylish as ever, which is something we’ve come to expect from Williams. 

Venus, the sister of Serena Williams, is an American tennis player that was ranked No. 1 in the world in both singles and doubles during her career. She turned pro in 1994 at the age of 14 and while she has struggled in recent years, she has won over $42 million in her illustrious career.  

She currently has a 815-265 career singles record with 49 career titles and seven Grand Slam singles victories. In doubles, she has a career 185-37 record with 22 career titles and 14 Grand Slam doubles victories – all of which with her younger sister, Serena. They were dominant!

Back in 2007, Venus Williams started her own fashion line called EleVen with Steve & Barry’s. She has long been revered for her fashion sense and it’s a big reason why she’s often invited to the Met Gala. In fact, we can expect to see her style in future Met Gala events – believe that!

6. Russell Westbrook

David Lee wasn’t the only basketball player at the 2022 Met Gala. In fact, there were three of them and Russell Westbrook – one of the most fashionable NBA players today – was one of them. This is now his second Met Gala appearance after making his official debut last year. 

Westbrook wore one of the most interesting and unique outfits of the night. He partnered with Thom Borne and wore a top hat, black tailored jacket, white undershirt, chain, long skirt, striped socks, and chunky lace-up shoes. It was a look only Russ could pull off – and he did just that!

Russ Westbrook is an American basketball player that was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) with the fourth overall pick in 2008. He will be entering his 15th season in the league next season as he continues his search for an NBA Championship.

In 1,021 career games played, Westbrook is averaging an incredible 22.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 34.7 minutes per game. His numbers took a strong dip last season, but you can expect him to stay hungry and come out next season ready to play. 

5. Eileen Gu

Eileen Gu was one of two Winter Olympic stars to take to the red carpet at the 2022 Met Gala. It’s not her first Met Gala appearance, but she seemed much more confident and ‘herself’ at this year’s event. She wore a black Louis Vuitton mini dress that had all of social media buzzing. 

In fact, she had a twitter hashtag trending with over 250 million views, which shows the amount of power she holds on social media. She looked as beautiful as ever, capturing the hearts of everyone that tuned in to watch the event. Expect to see her in future renditions of the event. 

Eileen Gu is an 18-year old, American-born professional freestyle skier that represents China on the international stage. She won two gold medals (big air and halfpipe) and one silver medal (slopestyle) at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing – it was her first Olympic appearance. 

She also has two gold medals (halfpipe and slopestyle) and one bronze medal (big air) at the 2021 World Championships, two gold medals (slopestyle and superpipe) and one bronze medal (big air) at the 2021 Winter X Games. Don’t worry, she’s only just getting started in the sport!

4. Nyjah Huston

Nyjah Huston represented the skateboarding community well at this year’s Met Gala event. It was his second appearance at the annual event and he didn’t disappoint with his blue, Vivienne Westwood three-piece suit – which he paired with some stylish white shoes. He looked spiffy!

Much like Eileen Gu, Nyjah Huston had social media buzzing as women around the world were drooling at the sight of his looks. His chest tattoos were on full display, which went well with his gold chains, stylish watch, and even more stylish bracelet. It was a fashion statement, for sure.

Huston is an American professional skateboarder that started skating at just five years old – in large part because of his dad, who was also a skateboarder. He turned pro in 2005 and has been winning competition after competition ever since – though failing to win an Olympic medal.

He does, however, have six gold medals and five silver medals representing the USA at the World Championships between 2010 and 2021. He also has 12 gold medals, four silver medals, and two bronze medals at the Summer X Games between 2009 and 2019 – which is incredible. 

3. Odell Beckham Jr.

From the 2022 Super Bowl to the Super Bowl of fashion, Odell Beckham Jr. has been in a wide range of headlines over the past few months – scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl, suffering an injury in the Super Bowl, winning the Super Bowl, and welcoming his first child into the world. 

Now, he’s making headlines for his fashion sense at the 2022 Met Gala. While most people dressed up in suits, ties, and dresses (or skirts, if you’re Russell Westbrook), OBJ took a unique, more ‘athleisure’ approach – wearing a green velvet hoodie and matching pants. 

Odell Beckham Jr. is an active American football player that was drafted by the New York Giants with the 12th overall pick in 2014. He spent five years with the team before signing with the Cleveland Browns. He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams midway through last season.

In 96 career games, OBJ has recorded 531 receptions for 7,367 yards and 56 touchdowns. He’s a three-time Pro Bowl receiver that won Rookie of the Year in 2014 and most recently helped the Rams win the 2022 Super Bowl – where he scored the first touchdown of the game.

2. Chloe Kim

Chloe Kim stole the show at the 2022 Met Gala, stealing the hearts of many in the process. She wore a beautiful Giambattista Valli Couture ball gown that featured real red feathers – coupling that with the same ‘slut strands’ that most female snowboarders wear while competing. 

It was Chloe Kim’s first appearance at the Met Gala and she was overjoyed to represent the snowboarding community at fashion’s biggest night out. In fact, she was most excited about meeting Kim Kardashian up close and has been DMing her recently to share that excitement. 

Kim started snowboarding at the age of four and was competing by the age of six. She wasn’t old enough to compete at the 2014 Winter Olympics, but she made a name for herself at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Lillehammer, winning gold in the halfpipe and slopestyle. 

Between 2014 and 2021, she won five gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal at the Winter X Games. She also won a gold medal at the World Championships in 2019 and 2021, as well as back-to-back gold medals in the halfpipe at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. 

1. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade was seen at the 2022 Met Gala with his wife and actress Gabrielle Union. The two looked incredible as Wade rocked a white blazer and white pants with gold buttons – oh yeah, and he didn’t wear an undershirt. He had a lot of women with their jaws on the floor. 

His wife was dazzling in a silver sequin Versace dress with a white-feathered tail and red flower arrangement around the waist. Not only did they dress in style, but they were heavy in their support for their trans daughter, Zaya – who was brought up in most of their interviews. 

Dwyane Wade is a retired American basketball player that was drafted by the Miami Heat with the third overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. He spent 16 seasons in the league, 15 of which with the Heat – where he won three NBA Championships and appeared in 13 All-Star games. 

In 1,054 games played, Wade averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 33.9 minutes per game. He was the 2008-09 scoring champion, 2005-06 Finals MVP, and 2009-10 All-Star MVP. He won back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. 

Athletes & Fashion Are the Perfect Match

The fashion industry has long been aligned with the sports and entertainment industry. Just think about all the players that show up to work on game day – whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, hockey, etc. – there’s always a camera nearby to see what type of ‘fit they’re wearing. 

In fact, there are many athletes that have started their own fashion brands and fashion lines – including Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, David Beckham, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Misty Copeland, Neymar Jr., Victor Cruz, Dwyane Wade, and Roger Federer

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That’s why it’s no surprise to see athletes featured at the Met Gala every year. It’s fashion’s most illustrious night and it’s where we witness some of the most interesting and unique outfits. I guess you can call it the Super Bowl of Fashion and if you’re invited, you best come prepared!

Athletes With Clothing Brands You Need to Check Out

If you’re someone who loves sports and fashion, then be prepared to fall in love with these athletes with clothing brands. You’d be surprised to learn that some of your favorite athletes have an eye for fashion and some of those athletes even have their own clothing line. 

While many people think athletes are one-trick ponies with one talent, athletes with clothing brands remind us that there’s more to their life than just sports. In fact, some athletes end up making far more money away from sports – including those that create their own fashion line.

We already wear their jerseys, we follow them on social media, we read the news everytime we see their name on a headline – we practically know everything there is to know about them. With that said, why not invest in their clothing and show it off in style – you might turn some heads!

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Check Out These Athletes With Clothing Brands

Athletes With Clothing Brands You Need to Check Out
Jan Zahradka / Shutterstock

It doesn’t matter what sport we’re talking about, athletes are known for getting dressed up in style before game day. We see them show up to the stadium or arena wearing their best clothes and some athletes even show up wearing their own clothing line – it’s free marketing, isn’t it?!

There are a number of ways athletes can go about starting their own clothing line, but most of them choose one of two paths – doing it on their own or working alongside a major brand (Nike, Adidas, H&M, etc.). There’s no right or wrong way to do it, so long as you’re serious about it.

Below, we’re going to detail 15 athletes with clothing brands that are worth checking out. Some of these athletes are well-known for their fashion, while others might come as a surprise. Either way, we know you’re going to want to shop their collections the moment you finish reading!

15. Ibtihaj Muhammad

Ibtihaj Muhammad is a professional sabre fencer that represents the United States. She’s of African American descent and follows the Islamic religion. Her parents, who converted to Islam, got Ibtihaj involved in fencing because it was one of the few sports she could wear her hijab. 

And that’s exactly what she did, becoming the first Muslim American to wear a hijab during competition for Team United States. Roughly eight years ago, she started her own clothing line called Louella with her siblings. They primarily sell hijabs, dresses, and sets for women. 

14. Mahendra Singh Dhoni

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, also referred to as MS Dhoni, is a professional cricketer who captained India’s national team for a decade. He made his domestic debut in 1999 and his international debut in 2004. He retired from international play in 2020, but still plays in the IPL.

Outside of cricket, Dhoni has taken up several hobbies and investment opportunities. He created his own lifestyle brand called SEVEN in 2016, though he primarily focuses on the footwear side of the business. He also owns sports franchises and an entertainment company. 

13. Lukas Podolski

Lukas Podolski is a German football (soccer) player that currently plays for Górnik Zabrze, a Polish football club. He played for Germany’s national team between 2004 and 2017, scoring 49 goals in 131 matches. He also played for Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Inter Milan, and more. 

Outside of his football career, Podolski has several investments he’s working on in Cologne, Germany – including an ice cream parlor, a kebab shop, and even a streetwear clothing line named STRASSENKICKER. He’s also a judge on the German version of Got Talent.

12. Venus Williams

Venus Williams is an American professional tennis player that made her pro debut in 1994 at the age of 14. She has earned over $42 million in winnings, recording 49 career singles titles (seven Grand Slams) and 22 career doubles titles (14 Grand Slams). She’s an all-time great. 

Outside of her tennis career, Williams has taken a strong interest in interior design with her firm, V Starr Interiors, and fashion with her EleVen fashion line (a partnership with Steve & Barry’s). Her line includes both on-court and off-court clothing, which she is seen wearing frequently. 

11. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is an Indian professional cricketer and widely regarded as one of the greatest ever. He has played for India’s national team since 2008 and is a former captain. He also currently plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore of the IPL and for Delhi in domestic cricket. 

In addition to owning several sports teams and being married to a famous Bollywood actress, Kohli recently started his own clothing line called WROGN, a partnership with Universal Sportsbiz Pvt. Ltd. (USPL) – a leader in India’s fashion industry. It’s quite the versatile line. 

10. Stephen Curry

Stephen Curry is an American professional basketball player that has spent his entire 13-year career with the Golden State Warriors. He’s a two-time MVP, four-time champion, two-time scoring champ, eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA, and was named the 2022 Finals MVP.

In 2013, Curry signed with Under Armour in what was one of UA’s best sponsorship signings of all-time. In 2020, Curry and Under Armour teamed up to launch the Curry Brand – only available at Under Armour. The line includes a little bit of everything – shoes, shirts, pants, shorts, etc. 

9. Roger Federer

Roger Federer is a Swiss professional tennis player and is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all-time. He turned pro in 1998 and has won over $130 million in prize earnings. He has a 1,251-275 career singles record with 103 titles (including 20 Grand Slam victories). 

Between 1994 and 2018, Federer was signed to Nike’s footwear and apparel collection. When his contract came to an end, Federer signed with Uniqlo in what was reported to be a 10-year, $300 million contract. His signature ‘RF’ logo is featured on most of his clothing releases.

8. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade is an American professional basketball player that spent 16 seasons in the NBA – mostly with the Miami Heat, where he won three championships. He averaged 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He was a 13-time All Star and Finals MVP. 

Wade has always been interested in fashion. During his playing days, he released shoes with Converse, Jordan, and Li-Nang (a Chinese athletic brand). His ‘Way of Wade’ partnership with Li-Nang is classy, as well as his new children’s line he launched with his wife and daughter. 

7. LeBron James

LeBron James is an American professional basketball player that currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s one of the greatest basketball players to ever live – he’s a four-time champion, four-time MVP, four-time Finals MVP, and six-time All-Defensive player. 

James recently earned billionaire status, according to Forbes, and has a laundry list of sponsors, investments, partnerships, and other business deals. In 2011, he co-founded UNKNWN, a clothing boutique located in Miami, Florida. He also partners with Nike often.

6. Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk is an American retired professional skateboarder and one of the most influential skateboarders of all-time. At the Summer X Games, Hawk won 10 gold medals, three silver medals, and three bronze medals. He retired from competing professionally back in 2003. 

Since then, Hawk has been focused on several business ventures, including his own skateboard company named Birdhouse. In 2019, he officially launched his own clothing line named Tony Hawk Signature Line, which features streetwear for both men and women. 

5. Serena Williams

Serena Williams, the younger sister of Venus Williams, is an American professional tennis player. She has a 855-152 career singles record (73 titles, 23 Grand Slams) and 190-34 career doubles record (23 titles, 14 Grand Slams). She also won two Grand Slams in mixed doubles.

In 2019, Williams officially launched her S by Serena clothing line. She focuses on inclusivity by offering a wide range of 1990s-style clothing for all shapes and sizes. Williams has also made numerous headlines throughout her professional career for her outfit choices on the tennis court. 

4. Tom Brady

Tom Brady is an American professional football player and is widely regarded as the greatest football player of all-time. He has won seven championships in his career, which is more than any other player or franchise in NFL history. He also holds a laundry list of individual records. 

Roughly three years ago, Brady launched his official clothing line named Brady Brand. It features a wide range of options – including tops, bottoms, outerwear, accessories, and more. His newest golf collection has taken the world by storm – he showed it off at The Match. 

3. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is an American professional basketball player that currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers. He will be entering his 15th season next year and is a nine-time All-Star, two-time scoring champ, 2016-17 MVP, and led the league in assists on three occasions. 

Westbrook has always been one of the most fashionable players in the NBA. He was named the Marketing Creative Director of True Religion in 2015 and launched his own clothing line named Honor the Gift in 2016. He was one of the few athletes invited to the 2022 Met Gala. 

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional football (soccer) player and is widely regarded as one of the greatest to ever play. He turned pro in 2002 and started playing for Portugal’s national team in 2003. He has recorded 698 goals and 230 assists in 933 career matches. 

In 2006, Ronaldo opened his first fashion boutique called CR7 (which stands for his initials and jersey number) in Madeira and opened a second one in Lisbon in 2008. His fashion line focuses heavily on underwear, socks, loungewear, and cologne for both men and boys of all sizes. 

1. David Beckham

David Beckham is a retired English professional football (soccer) player and is widely regarded as one of the most influential footballers of all-time. He has played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, LA Galaxy, AC Milan, and more. He recorded 127 goals and 213 assists in 718 games.

Beckham has always been one of the most prominent athletes with clothing brands. He’s known as a fashion icon – especially among the LGBTQ+ community. He was a co-owner of Kent and Curwen, a British fashion line, before he ended the partnership. He also partnered with H&M.

Athletes Are More Than the Sport They Play

Professional athletes have made a living playing the sport they love and while they’re heavily dedicated to their craft, it’s not the only purpose they have in life – they find meaning in other hobbies, too. For example, athletes with clothing brands find solace in their love of fashion. 

Think about it like this – we all have a job or career, whether it’s as a firefighter, an office manager, a personal trainer, or an accountant. We go to work, we give it our all, and we love what we do (most of us, at least). Still, that career isn’t the only thing we dedicate ourselves to.

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We all have our hobbies and things we enjoy doing when not working – athletes with clothing brands are no different. Since many athletes retire from sport by the time they’re 40, they still have a lot of life left to live. Investments and business deals give them purpose after retiring.

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