In recent years, NBA players’ tunnel walks to the locker rooms have gradually transformed into full-fledged runway moments. On their short journey to the court, players are captured in meticulously curated outfits, styled by experts who blend elegance with sportswear and streetwear. Soon after, their personal style gives way to their team uniform.
Near Huntsville, Alabama, at the Alabama A&M University arena, fashion doesn’t stay off the court—it takes center stage on the bench. Dawn Thornton, head coach of the university’s women’s basketball team, seems absolutely unwilling to give up her bold looks, even during games.
A quick scroll through Coach Thornton’s Instagram profile makes it clear just how passionate she is about fashion. But this season, she has taken things to a whole new level, sporting daring outfits, perfectly matched combinations, and looks that leave a lasting impression. Behind it all, beyond her personal passion, is the work of stylist Tanya Pugh-Johnson, founder and director of the 16th Cross Pearson Wearable Art Gallery, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
The gallery was created to welcome all art lovers, providing a space to experience and appreciate works crafted by local talents. It stems from its founder’s visionary idea of breaking down the barriers between fashion and art. Beyond giving young creatives a platform to showcase their work, the gallery also allows some of those creations to step out of its walls and become standout pieces in outfits we’d all love to replicate.Â
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This is exactly what has been happening for months now with Coach Dawn Thornton. Thanks to her friendship and collaboration with Tanya Pugh-Johnson, the coach brings designs from emerging artists and designers straight to the court, sending both the live audience and social media into a frenzy.
Tanya’s TikTok videos, in which she breaks down the coach’s game-day outfits and meticulously credits each piece, rack up millions of views.
These posts resonate deeply, particularly with young female athletes accustomed to navigating a world often perceived as predominantly male. Tanya Pugh-Johnson and Dawn Thornton prove week after week that basketball pairs just as well with tulle skirts, stiletto heels, leather dresses, and pearl- and Swarovski-encrusted brooches as it does with hoodies and jerseys. They’re not just blending fashion and art—they’re redefining the boundaries between elegance and streetwear.
