Athletes are no longer just arriving at the game. They are arriving as fashion statements. From tunnel walks punctuated by oversized Birkins to post-game looks layered in Chrome Hearts and Amiri, the arena has quietly become one of fashion’s most influential runways.

At the center of that shift is stylist Miguel Moss, whose work is rooted less in dressing athletes and more in refining their identity. Working with American long jumper Will Williams, a 2018 NCAA Division I Indoor Champion and 2022 NACAC gold medalist, Moss approaches styling as a collaborative language. It sharpens a client’s natural instincts rather than overriding them. This philosophy extends across his roster, including professional boxer Daniel Bailey, and reflects a broader understanding of athletes as cultural figures, not just competitors.

We sat down with Moss and Williams to talk about the trust behind their creative partnership, the nuances of styling athletes, and why fashion is still catching up to the influence of the sports world.

How did you two first connect, and what were your first impressions of each other?

Miguel Moss:
We share the same management, so that connection aligned naturally. From there we had a phone call that felt authentic, and once we met in person it became an organic relationship. I always emphasize getting to know my clients as individuals first. With Will, we understood each other’s goals quickly, and branding really comes from knowing who someone is at their core.

William Williams:
The conversation felt natural right away. Miguel had already done his homework. He went to my page and got a sense of my style. He knew what he was working with, but also what he could add to enhance it. What I respect about him most is that he understands my personality. He’s not trying to oversell me. He’s just bringing the right ideas to elevate my style.

When you first started working together, was the style vision clear immediately, or did it take time to develop?

MM:
It really comes down to conversation and consultation. My job is to meet a client where they are and then build from there. With Will, it wasn’t very difficult because he already had a niche and knew where he wanted to go fashion-wise. Once we understood each other, we just went right into it and kept building.

WW:
At first it was like learning to trust each other. Some of the looks were different for me, but once we got behind the camera I started to see the vision. The more we were around each other, the more we understood each other and how we work together.

Miguel, when you meet a new athlete client, what do you look for first?

MM:
Personality and lifestyle. At the end of the day, it’s just clothes. The person wearing them is the real brand. If we have that rapport and the client has confidence, the sky’s the limit. I’m not on the clothes’ team. I’m on the client’s team.

Will, did Miguel ever see something in your style before you fully saw it yourself?

WW:
Yeah, definitely. He pushed me into a different bag that I could tap into. For example, bigger pants. Things outside the skinny-jeans culture I was used to. My style is simple but fashionable, and Miguel helps translate that into something more modern and elevated.

MM:
My job isn’t to change who someone is. It’s to enhance it. On Will, I saw the potential in his style and just tried to push it a little further. Something as simple as the pants you choose can completely change a look.

Miguel, how did your experience working with Saks Fifth Avenue shape the way you approach luxury fashion?

MM:
I owe a lot of my luxury knowledge to Saks. Growing up in Atlanta, I was always around streetwear and our culture, but Saks exposed me to brands like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Balmain. That knowledge gave me an advantage and helped me understand both the men’s and women’s sides of luxury fashion.

What separates an athlete with good style from one with a true fashion identity?

MM:
What we’re really seeing now is athletes’ personalities coming through in their clothing. Some are eclectic, some are eccentric, some are minimalist. Fashion is just exposing who they really are outside of sport.

WW:
For me it always comes down to confidence. As long as you believe you can wear something and pull it off, that’s what matters.

Are athletes becoming some of the most important fashion figures today?

WW:
I think so. Athletes are people that fans look up to. A lot of people grew up wanting to be Jordan or Kobe or LeBron. When athletes start stepping into fashion seriously, it inspires everyday people too.

MM:
Athletes are global figures. A kid in China can watch Will compete in the Olympics and instantly know who he is. That kind of visibility makes athletes iconic. Sports, music, fashion, and food are universal languages.

Do luxury brands truly understand athletes as fashion power players in today’s landscape?

MM:
Not fully. There are strides being made, but luxury wasn’t originally built for us. Culture comes from the people living it. Brands can participate in that culture, but they will never completely understand it.

WW:
They might not fully understand us, but they definitely know they need us.

How is styling athletes different from styling entertainers?

MM:
Athletes live very different lifestyles. Their schedules are intense and focused on performance. Entertainers are often more visible and on the scene, so there is usually more flash involved. With athletes, you also have to think about body composition. Many athletes have unique proportions, which means sourcing clothes and designers becomes a bigger challenge.

What part of the styling process takes the longest that people would not expect?

MM:
Honestly, the mental process. I am constantly asking myself, is this the look? Is this the one? Because one outfit can be the moment that gets someone their next brand deal. You only get one shot to make that impression.

How do athletes stand out visually when so many public appearances start to blend together?

MM:
I hate the word trend. I prefer authenticity. If someone dresses based on how they truly feel, it will naturally stand out.

WW:
Exactly. A lot of people just follow what everyone else is wearing. But if athletes stay true to themselves and their personality, they will always stand out.

Will, what do you hope your style says about you five years from now?

WW:
I hope people say I wore confidence. I do not really care what people expect me to wear. Whatever I put on, I am going to make it look good.

And beyond style, how do you want your public presence to evolve as your career grows?WW:
My ultimate goal is to make a positive impact on as many people as I can before I am gone. No matter where I am in the world, Budapest, China, or Japan, I want people to feel like I am present and willing to help.