Does your Steelers style need a refresh? Pittsburgh-based fashion designer Kiya Tomlin is here to help.
Tomlin has teamed with the NFL to create an officially licensed collection of game-day chic apparel for women. It was recently unveiled at a V.I.P. fashion show at Heinz Field on the North Shore. Kiya Tomlin X Steelers is available now at kiyatomlin.us and the Kiya Tomlin Work/Shop in Etna. Also keep an eye out for it at pop-up shops across the city and in the Steelers Pro Shop at Heinz Field.
The designer, who’s married to the Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, is no stranger to football-inspired fashions. For the past couple years, she’s sold her own collection of black-and-gold looks. But this was the first time one of her collections was officially licensed by the NFL.
“Working with the NFL is quite a learning experience. It is such a big company with a lot of departments that oversee my licensing relationship and product designs,” Tomlin said. “As a small brand, we are used to working quickly and nimbly, with the ability to make changes on the fly. Working with such a large entity was definitely a much slower pace.”
The entire collection was made in the U.S. from a fabric blend of bamboo, cotton and spandex that’s created in Los Angeles specifically for Tomlin’s brand. Although Tomlin had creative control over most of the process, each piece had to go through an approval process to make sure it adhered to the NFL’s brand standards.
“There are limitations to what I can design as some licensees have exclusive rights to certain categories,” she explained. “For example, I cannot design a hat for the collection as New Era has an exclusive deal on hats.”
Some of the collection’s highlights include striped leggings, pleated joggers, a jumpsuit, infinity scarf, shawls and turtlenecks — all done in black, yellow and white, of course. Tomlin’s favorites are the blousy tee with “33” patch — a reference to the year the Steelers were founded — and the team poncho.
“I designed this collection for women who want something unique,” she said. “Women who want to support their team inside and outside of the stadium in places where a jersey or T-shirt may not be appropriate, professional or elevated enough.”
The Kiya Tomlin X Steelers collection comes in sizes XS-XXXL. The leggings, raglan sweatshirt, poncho and shawl also are available in plus sizes. Prices range from $70 to $269.
Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.
First Published: November 1, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Updated: November 1, 2021, 10:55 a.m.
