New York Fashion Week stops for no one—not even the Super Bowl. On February 9, 2025, as Super Bowl LIX unfolded in New Orleans, fashion’s elite braved New York City’s cold, slushy streets for a thrilling lineup of runway shows. The day’s collections reflected themes of endurance, transformation, and glamour, proving that style can be just as competitive as sports. Three standout designers—Ulla Johnson, Jonathan Cohen, and Sally LaPointe—delivered collections that celebrated reinvention, heritage, and resilience.
Ulla Johnson’s collection marked a pivotal moment in her career, unveiling a striking departure from her signature bohemian aesthetic. Hosted on the 14th floor of 555 Greenwich Street, her show was a deeply personal tribute. Gold-plated brass tiles set the scene, with a stunning centerpiece, “Le Géant,” created by French artist Julie Hamisky, who also designed the jewelry. The collection, inspired by Byzantine opulence, featured gold leaf embroidery, metallic tweeds, and structured pantsuits, all exuding sophistication. Johnson beautifully balanced elegance and strength, a sentiment echoed in statement coats, ombre trench coats, and oversized jewelry. The nostalgic soundtrack—including an Italian cover of “Paint It Black”—further emphasized this refined transformation. “This season, I wanted to explore how elegance and strength coexist,” she shared, proving that change can be just as dazzling as tradition.
Jonathan Cohen brought high drama to the runway, drawing inspiration from Muhammad Ali’s 1963 fight against Henry Cooper and the rumored exchange of glances between Ali and Elizabeth Taylor. The result was a captivating fusion of boxing grit and Hollywood glamour. Cohen’s use of embroidered prints of Taylor’s iconic eyes on structured coats and flowing gowns was visually striking. He also introduced peplum jackets with nipped waists, tailored pants with athletic stripe details, and jacquard trousers, seamlessly blending sportswear with sophistication. His boxing boot-inspired footwear, created in collaboration with Marina Larroudé, and his debut eyewear line, the “Siouxsie” collection with Selima Salaun, added an extra layer of intrigue. “I wanted this collection to be a conversation between strength and seduction,” Cohen explained, and his designs delivered a balanced mix of power and elegance.
Sally LaPointe celebrated 15 years as an independent designer with a bold showcase at the National Basketball Players Association headquarters. Titled “Endurance,” her collection paid tribute to perseverance and the undeniable intersection of fashion and sports. The show opened with a dynamic dance performance led by choreographer Traci Young-Byron, with dancers clad in hot-pink, feathered ensembles—a nod to LaPointe’s signature aesthetic. WNBA star Kryse Gondrezick made her runway debut, embodying the fearless energy that defined the collection. Standout pieces included patent leather jackets, snakeskin trenches, and bold leopard prints, contrasted against Western-inspired chaps adorned with fur and feather embellishments. A collaboration with Saga Furs added high-fashion flair, while hints of orange and crystal-encrusted designs referenced basketball iconography. “It’s all about pushing boundaries and never backing down,” LaPointe said, reinforcing both her collection’s message and her impressive career trajectory.
While Super Bowl Sunday crowned its champions on the field, New York Fashion Week had its own standout performers. Ulla Johnson’s artistic evolution, Jonathan Cohen’s seamless fusion of strength and glamour, and Sally LaPointe’s fearless embrace of endurance demonstrated the power of reinvention. In both sports and fashion, resilience, reinvention, and bold storytelling are the true markers of success.