Nigerian American basketball participant Kiki Iriafen embraced her roots on the 2025 WNBA Draft, sporting a robe created by Nigerian designer Nneka C. Alexander. The off-the-shoulder design featured delicate gold beading and embroidery, a sheer base cloth with intricate golden patterns and sequins and a excessive slit on one facet.
Kiki Iriafen on the 2025 WNBA Draft held at The Shed on April 14 in New York.
Steve Eichner
“It’s been a number of months within the making, however I knew I actually needed to have my Nigerian tradition included not directly,” Iriafen instructed WWD. “Nneka’s labored with Chiney [Ogwumike] earlier than, so there’s a connection there, and I beloved her work, so I made a decision to work along with her. We’ve been collaborating, going backwards and forwards and simply determining what the proper Kiki gown can be. One thing that’s showstopping, but additionally tremendous true to me. After which she put all her aptitude on it and her experience, and we got here up with one thing tremendous particular.”
Iriafen accomplished her look with gold equipment, together with strappy heels and assertion earrings. She additionally carried a Tabby bag by Coach.
Kiki Iriafen on the 2025 WNBA Draft held at The Shed on April 14 in New York.
Steve Eichner
Iriafen was chosen with the number-four general choose within the 2025 WNBA Draft, making her USC’s highest draft choice since 1997 and one of many high submit gamers in her class. She is now a part of the Washington Mystics.
Iriafen was born to Nigerian dad and mom, Yemi and Harrison Iriafen, who moved to the U.S. earlier than her start. She attended Harvard-Westlake College in Los Angeles.
Kiki Iriafen on the 2025 WNBA Draft held at The Shed on April 14 in New York.
Steve Eichner
The 2025 WNBA Draft additionally noticed Paige Bueckers in a three-piece go well with courtesy of Coach, Dearica Hamby in a pink babydoll gown by Amur, and Aziaha James in a punk-inspired look.
The occasion was held on Monday at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York Metropolis, marking the league’s annual collection of high collegiate and worldwide expertise. The Dallas Wings secured the number-one general choose by the draft lottery and chosen UConn guard Paige Bueckers, the 2021 nationwide participant of the yr and 2025 NCAA champion. The occasion featured three rounds and 38 whole picks, with the primary spherical broadcast dwell on ESPN beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.