How WNBA Star A’ja Wilson Found Her Style

0:05Hi guys, Iggy Murillo here. I wanted to chime in and let you know that this interview with A’ja Wilson was recorded on March 17, before the new CBA agreements with the WNBA and the Players Union were made. At the time of this current recording, they've reached a tentative deal that will result in major increases in players' salaries and better benefits in the league. The final voting for the agreement is set to wrap up in the next few days. We're really excited for the new season. And okay, let's get back to the show.

0:40This is The Run Through. I'm Chloe Mal. And then I'm Iggy Murillo, Global Talent Cast and Director at Vogue and a huge woman basketball fan. And today we are with the fabulous Asia Wilson. Asia, thank you for being here. Thank you for having me. Happy to be here. And I have to say, this is Iggy's big moment. No one is... Iggy is our resident basketball stan in Dalmatian Day. I feel like those are Iggy's too. So I'm about to be really shy because... No, don't be. Tell us about this outfit. You look great. Thank you. I have my Tom Brown button down and some Nike jeans just to kind of do a mixture.

1:18I didn't know Nike made jeans. Girl, me either. Is this new? They do. Wow. I don't know. I think, yeah, it's like really cute, very comfortable. So, yes. What are these nice white pumps? Now, that I don't know. Okay. I've had these forever. Are you scared to wear heels because it makes you even taller or you embrace it? Oh, I embrace it every single time. I'm pretty sure I had these shoes since I was in college. So, yeah, I've always loved heels. I've always loved to just like throw them on. Who cares if I'm the tallest in the room? I love that. I feel like that is my God-given gift that he gave me.

1:51So, why not show it on? It's true. Absolutely true. So we're recording this episode on Tuesday, March 17. And over the weekend, the WNBA and the players had a long negotiation session over the weekend. The deadline for the agreement was yesterday, but there's still no deal. Crazy deadline. Yes. How are you feeling about how things are going? Yeah. I mean, I feel like we're doing exactly what any booming business has done is negotiating. And I think I am blessed to be in a situation where I'm a part of a franchise that I feel like as soon as we went from San Antonio to Vegas, we then became the standard of how players should be treated.

2:27And we have an amazing owner that is going to dial into us that are making sure that we are ready. And people ask, well, how do you guys win? Why do you guys win so much? It's that because we're handled with care. We're handled properly. And I think we're in this stage now where now the whole league is now trying to be handled properly by the players are trying to be handled properly by the league. And is it going to look pretty? I hope so at the end. But right now it may look a little muddy, which is OK. It's a part of the business. But I think for us, we're just in a negotiation state of making sure that we get exactly what we've poured so much into the game.

2:59And I'm glad that we're able to sit at tables and say, hey, we are here. We know what we deserve and we're not leaving until we get that. And so we have an amazing executive committee that is crushing it in the boardrooms speaking for us. Because, yes, it could be a time now on St. Patrick's Day. But this collective bargaining agreement is going to go for many, many more St. Patrick's Days to come. Like, I mean, we're thinking about years. And so I think for us, it's like it's not just thinking about the now. It's thinking about for years to come. The next generation, they won't have to fight for the things that we're still fighting for.

3:31And I think that's so key. So we're negotiating. We're going to keep going. And I fully trust our players association and what they're doing. And is that affecting you how you're—I mean, the season is meant to start soon. Obviously, we all want to play. I'm aware. Right, right. I do have the clock in soon. But I don't think it necessarily affects me because I'm still going to handle my business as normal as possible. But our biggest thing is obviously we want to play. We want our fans to watch us play. We've been waiting. The offseason's always been fun, but then it gets to a point where I'm like, all right, let's play.

4:02And I think we're all getting there. But at the same time, you know, we're going to make sure our business is handled first. But I'm just going business as usual, not really changing up anything. I want to know about how the league has changed and how you feel. Like I was very interested in when you started, you had to take your clothes out of the locker. It's at the end of every game. And now you're helping design the locker rooms. It's like we need mirrors. We need a glam room. What else have you seen really shift? Oh, I think just the demand of us. I think we are now being in spaces and rooms.

4:35I mean, look at me. I'm a basketball player sitting here in Vogue. This is huge. I think that is the biggest difference that I've learned is just like how we are starting to expand more than just basketball players. We're diving into different aspects of our world at different points of our careers. And I'm the same age as the league. If you would have told us this about 20 years ago, everyone would be like, what do you mean WNBA players will be crossing into different fields? Like it would be unheard of. But I think now we're starting to normalize that, no, we are powerful women. We love different things.

5:06But at the same time, we are incredible at what we do on this basketball court. And I think that is where I've seen the difference in the growth of our game is that we are being seen in different spaces. And I love that for us because we deserve to have a voice in every room, to have a chair at every table and being us. Are there any challenges on that? I mean, obviously, yes, you're going to have challenges. People don't want you at those tables. People don't want you in those rooms. And so they're going to try everything they can to tear you down or make it seem like you aren't worthy enough.

5:32I mean, people have called me, not marketable for the longest. And I'm like, oh, well, who are you? I'm not maybe I'm not in your market But I I'm definitely going to be in a market that I love and i'm going to continue to flourish in that So yeah, there are challenges in that but I think the biggest thing and how i've felt like how i've approached it Is just like never changing who I am always being who I am and being true in that and whatever comes my way I'm gonna love it. I'm gonna love on it. Um, and I hope they can do the same for me But yeah, obviously it's challenges just being a woman period in this world But, you know, you face those challenges head on.

6:06And if you can love yourself, then nothing else really matters. I know. I listened to a podcast where you were talking about how having a platform is so exciting and such a privilege, but also just so daunting. And you're getting energies. I just love good, bad, and ugly. Literally. And that it's hard to focus on the good energy because you end up so focusing in on the negative stuff. I feel like I've been really struggling with that. It's like people write one bitchy article and I can't think about anything else. And what's your advice? Well, I'm a petty girl, so my advice is to clap back if you can.

6:48But on the other side of it, sometimes you just—not everyone deserves your energy. And sometimes you have to create those boundaries for people that you may not even know, trolls on the Internet, or people that's really close to you. I feel like everyone kind of deserves a boundary just to protect your peace. and that's how I've handled it. But like I said, I am petty. So if I do have some time, I will kind of remind people I'm not the one to mess with. But since you want to mess with me, let's get into it. But no, I think that is the best thing is out of 10 comments, nine can be positive, but that one is going to be the one that really bothers you and they don't deserve that energy at all.

7:21And I think I've learned that within the last couple of years is just I can't let randoms on social media bother my energy. Something that is, they will never matter. in my life and what I want to do. So why give them the energy? I think that just fuels them to continue to be a troll. So, yeah. The internet's mean. It is very mean. It's scary. It's a scary place. It's mean, but sometimes I can be mean, too. I usually dress like a librarian. And the Daily Mail is now talking about how I dress like the assistant in the Devor's Prada. And there's been like four articles about it. And I love my sweater.

7:57And it's cerulean blue, but it's so pretty. It's Threese Van Noten. I did see when you were walking outside of a show with Anna, like that sweater. And there was like a TikTok about it. I know. But that's just, that's who I am. I'm sorry. And be that. No one's shaking you from that. Be that, girl. I know. My friend was like, the sweater's fine. You need to start wearing heels more. And I was like, but my feet hurt. Anyway, I think that's very good advice. And now I want to switch gears into fashion. I want to know, we love to ask guests, what is your first fashion memory? Do you have like a formative memory from when you were a kid where you were like, ooh, I do like clothes.

8:31Ooh, I like the way this makes me feel. Oh, it's crazy because in my family, 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 I'm like, my onesie needs to be a back out. Oh, my God. So they always, it's funny, as my parents watch my fashion journey grow, they're always just like, you're just that young girl that loves her back out. And I'm like, well, now I like crops. Like I'm moving. I'm sorry, wait, what kind of onesie has no back? That's what I'm saying. What are we talking about here?

8:59I was just like, that was my idea. Like, I don't know why. I was just obsessed with just like the back out, the crop, like anything cute and dainty. Asia was like, I need it. So that's always my first fashion memory. And it's crazy because I actually have a picture of me in a bathing suit and I'm in the pool and my back's out. And my bathing suit. So, yeah, it's been a journey and I still love a good back out. I feel like now I have some muscles to really like show the definition. So it's cute. But yes, I would have to say that's my first fashion memory. And then your college coach, Dawn Staley.

9:29Louis Vuitton Dawn. Absolutely. Said that you wore a lot of Claire's in college. RIP Claire's. And then that you didn't find your style yet. So is this true? And then when did you think you found your sense of style? Oh, yes. That is very, very true. I was, I don't know. My sense of style came with as my wallet got a little bit thicker, honestly. A young girl was trying to push pennies together to make it work, just put something together. But now, obviously, when I get a little change in my pocket, I can now indulge in different closets and different collections. But, yeah, I would say it's been very recent that I really dove into the fashion world, honestly, because I feel like for me and my size, it's very hard for me.

10:08I can't just go to pull something off a rack and be like, yes, let me wear it. So it's very hard to find styles that may work for me off the gate. It might have to be altered and may have to be custom a little bit, which is a lot of work. But I would say my sense of style now probably came around probably about four or five years ago. Like after COVID, I'm like, okay, let me try to start putting on some clothes here. But I think the evolution of our tunnel walks became big then too. Because it allowed, it was another way for us to show our identity, show who we are before we get into the uniform.

10:43So I think once we started taking tunnel walks seriously, I think that's when I was like, all right, my closet has to start having some stuff in it, having some pieces. How do you find pants? Because I'm very short, so I have to have all my pants taken up. I imagine you have a different—yeah, Iggy and I are— Well, I also have to wear them, like, all the way to, like, my belly button in order to, like, not get them tailored. Pretty sure you have an opposite problem. Right. My stylist definitely does a great job of finding pants for me. We sometimes may have to take the hem out a little bit to make it a little longer.

11:13But, yeah, it is a struggle. And sometimes I have to lean more into menswear, which is crazy. I actually had a talk with Pharrell. We were in Paris for, I think, the NBA games, and he was talking about diving into menswear, and I'm like, sometimes I have to take that route because their clothes fit better. I mean, I feel like when Bam watches this, he's going to be like, is that my shirt? Absolutely, this is your shirt. But I love it. Like, I love the feel of it, and then I can kind of make it more feminine when it's throwing a heel or just accessorize with different things. But yeah, I've definitely had to lean more into menswear just for the cut of it, like the length of it, And then we kind of jazzed it up a little bit.

11:50You just came back from Europe? Yes. Tell us, what's the itinerary? Where are you coming from? Where are you going? So I did four cities in six days. Wow. I did Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Berlin. And I was there because I have an opportunity to showcase my second signature shoe, the A2. It is actually dropping in America May 2nd. So A2, May 2. Wait, interesting. Why? It drops in Europe first? Yeah, we wanted to switch it up. I was actually the first athlete to ever showcase my shoe overseas for the first time. And so, yeah, we went on a little tour and they got a love. They got to get the shoe early.

12:27Only because I feel like 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. But now in America on May 2nd, everyone will have their opportunity to get the A2. A2 May 2. Hello. Yes. First Saturday in May. Yes. Before the first Monday in May. Yes. Absolutely. So as we're speaking about your shoe, what was the process of like designing it? And then also how did you make it different than the A1? Yeah. Well, 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.

13:01For if you want to play, if you're not on and off the court, however you want to wear it. And so for me, my favorite color is pink. So I always say like we want to paint a town pink. So when people wear my shoe, I want them to like, even from a distance, be like, ooh, does she own the A2? Like that's my vibe. So I wanted to make sure that people were comfortable in it. We have little hidden gems in it. There's actually a star on the top of the shoe that kind of reminds people, like, be the star of your own show. And there's also a tattoo of mine in the tongue of the shoe. So everybody that wears the shoe literally has a piece of me inside the shoe.

13:31Oh, wow. And 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. And I think that is probably the biggest difference from the one to the two has to be just comfortable, the feel of it. And it's a little bit lighter. Were the A1s also pink? Yes. Okay. So the initial color is going to always be pink for me because I feel like that's my favorite color. Why not? You have a pink tambourine, too. I do have a pink tambourine. And then last season, the hair was pink. And the hair was pink. Absolutely. We see a theme. It's a theme.

13:58The pink is there. So, yeah. My daughter would be very into this theme. Any shade of pink, you could see me in it. So, yeah, that's the two. Interesting. I have to say, I don't go to that many basketball games, so it was a big deal that I went to the Nets game last night. But I was saying, I feel like the shoes is the one place the players can really express their personality on the court. Like, they were all in their uniforms. Every thing felt the same. And then you look down below the ankles and it was like turquoise green and orange leopard print. It's so fun to see that. Do you always wear your pink shoes or do you like change it up when you're playing?

14:31Oh, I switch it up when I'm playing. I have my own like edition of the shoe, like my PE. So I have like a Princess Tiana one. What does PE mean? Player exclusive. So I have my own that I make, and I get about 10 that I kind of go through. And they're of my favorite things. Wait, I'm sorry, you have a Tiana shoe? Yeah, Princess Tiana. She's my favorite princess. I love her so much. It has glitter. It's like pink and, I mean, yellow and green. So I kind of just match. I have a Susie Carmichael from Rugrats, the 90s cartoon. Oh, my God, so fun. So every PE is kind of like something that I loved, like growing up or something that I love, like currently.

15:02We also love that your boyfriend, Bam, wore the A1s at a game. Has he worn the A2s yet? Not yet. We have not made it in his size just yet. He's not that happy about me. He really wants to wear it. But if anyone could wear the shoe first, obviously, I would love for it to be him. He has been a vital piece of the process as well, just when it comes to just whether I'm bouncing off ideas or just when he wears it, I'm like, all right, you're going to go through 48 minutes. Like, if you can get through a shoe, I think I'm going to be OK. So, yeah, we'll see if we can make him in his size pretty soon.

15:32But he's definitely obviously been a huge part of it. Have you made, like, custom Princess Tiana ones for him? He's not going to get the Princess Tiana ones. He's getting Prince Naveen ones. Right. He's going to get something special, I'm sure. But he can't get the Princess Tiana. Those could kind of be too. I couldn't believe when we were doing our research for this that Bam, last week he scored 83 points in a game. Oh, my God. Surpassing Kobe's record of 81. Trailing only Wilt Chamberlain. I love that you talked about hiding in the tunnel during the first half of the game because you didn't want to throw it off.

16:10It reminded me like when I go to my daughter's ballet class, she like it's totally distracted. So I'm like hiding behind so I can see her in the mirror. Yes. Tell me about that moment. Yeah, I was actually just sitting in the car for a little bit. I was running a little late, but that's nothing new. I'm always running late because a girl gets sidetracked. But I was running late. And then when I got there, I remember my mom, she was telling me, like, oh, my gosh, Bam scored the first four points. And I'm like, oh, he scored the first four. That's really good. Then by the time I get to the arena and, like, really sit down, I'm looking at the stat sheet and I'm like, oh, my gosh, he has 19.

16:41Like, how did we get here? Wow. And so I'm just like, well, I don't. And I always have a joke that he performs well when I'm running late. So I was like, OK, well, I don't want to mess up anything. So I went to I sat in the car. But then at the same time, if I'm not there and Bam knows I'm there, he'll be like, OK, where are you? Like, where have you been? So I was like, okay, I got to go in. And then when I go in and I'm in the tunnel and I just hear his name, they're like, oh, bam, out of bio, scored again. And I'm like, okay, I can't go sit down. And I'm just like hiding in the tunnel just enough that I can see the Jumbotron.

17:10But then finally I go sit down and then he misses his first, like the 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. So I'm so glad that I stayed in my seat. And it was just an incredible moment to watch, like, in history, but also just, like, as his girlfriend, you know, like, as a supporter of, like, wow, I've seen all the work that you've been through. Now it's paying off. And I am so happy that he's able to have that moment in history because it clearly has not been done in a long, long time. So, yeah, it's pretty cool to kind of see him flourish in that space.

17:45Does that motivate you to score 85? Absolutely. I had the high score in the house. And now that he's blew that out the water, now I'm like, all right, let me get right. Let me get back into the lab a little bit. So we'll see. We keep it very competitive, but cute. I have to say, I was like gasped when I was reading Emma's profile view and you said that Bam loves you properly. I just love the word properly. And it's such a great call. I want to know examples of what that looks like. Ooh. I feel like he just does little things that I don't even have to like speak on. Like he'll just do just the smallest of things of like opening a car door when he feels like I'm overstimulating or like having just a moment where he just kind of just holds my hand and knows if I'm getting too high, my anxiety is blowing out the water.

18:31He just knows how to just calm me down. He's my peace. He's my safe space. If I'm really like bored, he'll be like, let's go do an escape room. Like he does the little things of like, oh, you knew I needed something to make my mind go. Like, thank you so much. But no, he's an amazing human being for sure. I was obsessed with the fact that you guys have color-coded calendars because my family calendar is a very active place. Tell me about who's maintaining the calendar? Who's the scheduler? I'm always maintaining the calendar. What different colors does it make? Obviously, I'm pink. He's blue. And anything team-affiliated is probably like any yellows.

19:08Anything that's urgent that's like for me, like when it comes to just things that I have to do, that's in red so I can pay attention to it. then birthdays obviously are purple and different things like that so we kind of just make sure if you see your color and the dates coming up you see something say something let's pay attention to that um i want to know what tv shows you guys are watching together right now yeah we're really into scandal right now because we didn't watch it when it was popping but now it's popping in our household and we love us some olivia pope and some jake ballard and fits um those are our homies.

19:44I feel like we're just best friends at this point. We love some Lincoln Lawyer that's coming back. But we're so hooked onto Scandal that we're like, okay, we're losing our grip on our other shows. But Lincoln Lawyer, Scandal, A Reasonable Doubt, we just finished. We're waiting on another season for that. And that's where we are right now. But Scandal has us hooked. It is our show. I know. I haven't watched Scandal in a long time. See, my mom said the same thing. And I'm like, guys, you gotta rewatch it. Because we're watching it like it just came out. The run-through will be back in a moment.

20:43were outside, civilians and soldiers. I'm Avery Truffleman. I make a podcast about clothing called Articles of Interest. And in this new season, I trace the interwoven histories of the military and the outdoor industry and how they built each other. Find Articles of Interest wherever you get your podcasts. And the season is called Gear. Okay, guys, it's finally spring. I'm so excited. I've been wearing my Penny Lane coat all winter. and while I do love it, I am so ready to be wearing layers and more fun outfits this season. I think Macy's is the perfect place to find all of my spring wardrobe essentials.

21:23They have great brands from Steve Madden and BCBG where I could probably find some of those fun sheer layers I'm looking for and I've really been into loose fitting jeans so I'm going to definitely take a look at what Macy's has in store there too. I know a lot of people are into barrel cut. I'm more into a relaxed fit jean. So I definitely will check that out at Macy's. I'm so ready to make the switch to spring and so glad that Macy's is here for it.

21:59I want to know about you being a glam girl. You called yourself that. Tell me about, like, what's the difference between on and off-season nails? Oh, my goodness. So these are, yeah, these are my off-season. I mean, these are my in-season. So just for the listeners, these are sort of short, square, I would call them Easter yellow. Yeah, they are. That's literally what I said. Easter yellow nails. Easter yellow nails, yes. These are super short, school-wool type of, these are my, like, I'm about to start hooping. Like, this is the job. These are your serious business. Yeah, these are like, let me lock in, but I still want to be cute for Easter coming up.

22:34And so my all-season nails are a little bit longer by a little bit, probably like a lot a bit. They have a lot more designs to them, and I love my nails. Like, I don't know what it is about it. I just love it. I know everyone around me gets aggravating because I love to, like, tap them, and, like, you can tell when I'm texting. But I just, like, obviously I can't hoop in long nails because I just, God forbid I want to break a nail. Never. Oof. But, yeah, that's really the difference is just the length and maybe just adding more design. I love a good French tip, but I went all solid this time. I love it.