EKU Grad Redefines Women's Sports Fashion

RICHMOND — WNBA Stylist Amadi Brooks, ’16 ’17, has made a significant impact in the world of women’s fashion, particularly in the realm of sports. 

Brooks, who grew up in Douglasville, Georgia, has always had a passion for both fashion and athletics. From a young age, she knew these two fields would be her calling, and her journey toward merging them began during her time at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).

Brooks attended EKU on a basketball scholarship, where she studied apparel design and then earned a master’s in sports administration. Resources, such as the Bratzke Student-Athlete Academic Success Center, encouraged her to excel both on and off the court. Brooks embraced her father’s motto, “look good, feel good, play good,” inspiring her to merge style with sports. 

An intern position in 2017 with the Atlanta Hawks offered the opportunity to combine her creativity with experience. Later, Brooks began working as an executive assistant to Serena Williams. In 2022, Brooks launched her own firm, where she has styled multiple WNBA legends, including A'ja Wilson and Sheryl Swoopes, and has been featured in major publications like Vogue and Essence. 

Brooks attributes much of her success to the support she received at EKU. “I had a lot of professors and people that helped me along the way,” she explained. 

Working with EKU’s athletics department also played a pivotal role in shaping her career path. While a graduate assistant, she created the “Athletes on a Mission” program, with the goal of showing athletes the possibilities beyond their athletic careers. It encouraged networking and résumé sharing and helped athletes transition from college to the professional world with greater ease. 

For her own career and future goals, she said, “I want to be a long-lasting voice and face for the integration of fashion and women’s sports.” Through her work, she continues to inspire others to see the potential of these two worlds colliding in ways that empower women athletes and redefine how fashion is perceived in the sports industry.