Hailey Van Lith turned professional with Custom Coach, the official handbag sponsor of the WNBA.

      Three weeks ago, Hailey Van Lith was in Fort Worth, Texas, where she was pursuing a graduate degree and playing basketball for the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs. The 23-year-old from Wenatchee, WA, was focused on leading her team to the Elite Eight in the NCAA women's basketball tournament. Although TCU lost to the University of Texas, it wasn’t all negative for Van Lith. That last collegiate game marked the start of her transition to the next stage of her basketball journey. At that time, she was only three weeks away from turning professional and joining the WNBA (also known as the W) along with her draft class in New York City.

      Before league commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced her name at the 2025 WNBA Draft—signifying the launch of her rookie season with the Chicago Sky, who selected the 5'9'' point guard as the 11th pick—Van Lith had to prepare for the key event of the evening (especially for fashion enthusiasts): the orange carpet. Designed to align with the W’s color theme, the orange carpet has become a staple of contemporary WNBA drafts, offering draftees a chance to showcase their style ahead of the season, when tunnel 'fits gain significance in their pregame routines.

      This year, the orange carpet was sponsored by Coach, the official handbag partner of the WNBA. The brand announced the collaboration on the day of the draft, adorning several of its top stars for the occasion. Van Lith was one of those stars. Below, follow along with her as she prepares with Coach for this pivotal moment in her career.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach)

      This is the most significant day of your basketball career thus far. How are you feeling going into the draft?

      I feel wonderful. Honestly, I’m very calm and super excited to walk the carpet and sit at the table to discover my future, but for the most part, I just feel calm and joyful.

      You only have one chance to be drafted. Can you share details about your look for tonight and why it feels appropriate for such an important occasion?

      I think the draft is such a special event [to dress for]. You don’t want to go too red carpet or [dress as if it’s the] Met Gala. Yet, it’s not exactly like a homecoming or prom either. It’s a bit of a mix that you have to balance. I also didn’t want to be too simple. I aimed for something a little different to stand out, so I think a lot of the shine on my dress, the use of sheer fabric throughout, and the corset detail made it quite unique. It’s going to look stunning on the orange carpet—it will shine nicely. I believe it’s the perfect elegant look while still feeling youthful.

      Are there any specific aspects of your outfit or stories from the selection/fitting process that someone observing might not know?

      The fitting process and assembling the dress were incredibly enjoyable. Many of the patterns, beads, and shine you see on the dress [are] actually revamped vintage fabrics from various Coach dresses. The way they were all combined is truly unique.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach)

      Choosing which brand to wear to the draft involves a lot of thought. You're wearing custom Coach. Do you have any memorable experiences with the brand that stand out to you?

      I was just thinking about it today—my first significant gift to my mom for Christmas was a Coach bag from one of those outlet stores. I recall feeling so proud that it was my gift for her.

      How would you describe your personal style, and what can fans look forward to seeing from you in your tunnel 'fits this season?

      I navigate between masculine and feminine styles and often blur the lines a bit, which I find exciting. Generally, my style is elegant and timeless; it's not basic, but it endures through time. I believe I won’t need to alter my style too much as I grow older. I enjoy a good chic, elegant look.

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach)

      Who in the W inspires your style?

      A couple of players in the W that I really admire for style inspiration are Skylar Diggins-Smith and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough. They've both got distinct styles, and I try to infuse elements of both into my look.

      You’re in New York for the draft, a city you’ve visited numerous times, including for New York Fashion Week. What is your favorite activity while you’re here?

      Eating. I love trying all the food. Going out to dinner and sampling desserts is my favorite. My social media feed is filled with recommendations for amazing restaurants in New York. So definitely eating!

      (Image credit: Ben Rosser/Courtesy of Coach)

      Do you recall your first significant purchase made with money earned from playing basketball? What was it