Courtney Mays, a prominent stylist renowned for her ability to use clothing as a narrative tool, made a significant impact at the 2025 Met Gala. She designed for stars of the New York Liberty, such as Sabrina Ionescu, Jonquel Jones and Breanna Stewart. Through fashion, she was able to present their authentic amazing identities and stories. Belle Mays is a curator, consultant, and educator with an art history degree and decades of experience. She is passionately committed to the idea that fashion should spark important discussions about inclusivity, gender expression and the representation of women in sports.
As the daughter of NFL Hall of Famer Will “The Refrigerator” Perry, Mays grew up with sports as the centerpiece of her life. This background has always contributed to her unique understanding of the interplay between sports and style. At the recent Met Gala, she used her moment to draw attention to the often overshadowed narratives of women athletes. By featuring them terribly, she courageously placed their audacity deep in a field that has been historically encroached by men.
During her interview on the sixth episode of “Aesthetically Speaking,” Mays explained the cultural relevance that comes with the Met Gala. She emphasized the importance of this high-profile event as a stage for athletes to speak their truth.
“The Met Gala was a chance to show how being a woman in sport can look so many different ways — and that is, in fact, dandy,” said Courtney Mays.
Mays explained her overall styling philosophy in greater detail throughout the episode. She underlined her dedication to utilizing fashion as a medium to tackle broader social issues. She aims to help her clients convey messages regarding size inclusivity, gender presentation, and the celebration of women in sports.
“If I can use this moment of you getting dressed to tell a larger story — about size inclusivity, gender presentation, or just the celebration of women in sports — I want to help you do that,” Mays explained.
Her work at the Met Gala demonstrated this philosophy beautifully. By adorning her clients in a way that accentuated personal expression and nuance in tandem with addressing monumental cultural dialogue. Mays took these fashion moments to another level. Along the way, they ignited a broader and necessary conversation around representation and empowerment in the world of sports.
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