Why this Duke women's basketball player started styling her Blue Devils teammates
- Duke women's basketball player Oluchi Okananwa created an Instagram series called "Styling with Luci," where she styles her teammates in outfits they wear for their pregame walk.
- Okananwa's passion for fashion stems from her childhood, where she was exposed to both "tomboy-ish" style from her brothers and more elaborate fashion from her sister and Nigerian heritage.
- Okananwa's styling has been well-received by her teammates, who appreciate her passion and eye for fashion.
Editor's note: Follow South Carolina vs. Duke women's basketball live updates from their Elite Eight game of March Madness.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – If Duke women’s basketball appears to have a bit more swagger walking into the Blue Devils’ Sweet 16 game Friday against UNC, it could be due to the fashion instincts of sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa.
Okananwa, inspired by her fashion experiences from her childhood and her teammate Jadyn Donovan, created her own Instagram series, "Styling with Luci."
“We were trying to figure out ways to show ourselves to other people, show what we’re interested in and Luci is a really big fashion person,” Donovan said. “I was just like, ‘Oh, maybe you should start a little fashion, styling type of thing and style us (Duke players) and maybe it’ll grow.’”
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A few days later, Okananwa came back with the name for the series.
On "Styling with Luci," Okananwa brings her teammates on the show and creates outfits to match their style. The players then wear the outfits before games during their pregame walk.
Okananwa has so far styled Duke forward Toby Fournier, guard Reigan Richardson and former Duke guard Jasmine Thomas.
“I was just in her latest episode, it was really fun to be a part of,” Richardson said. “We went shopping, and I was trying to pick stuff up. She slapped my hand. She definitely has a passion for it. So it's great to watch.”
Okananwa begins by grabbing whatever catches her eye, without thinking about what does or does not match. Once she has a large pile of clothes to choose from, she begins piecing the puzzle together, creating the perfect outfit.
Growing up, Okananwa was around several different types of fashion. Her love for basketball and “tomboy-ish” style came from her two older brothers. But her passion for fashion, makeup and all things beauty came from her sister, Chimna, and the family’s Nigerian heritage.
“In Nigeria, there’s no such thing as overdoing it,” Okananwa said. “You never want to be the one who doesn’t do enough. Whatever function it is, you’re stepping out and you’re dressed to the nines.”
This week, the function is the NCAA Tournament and, thanks to Okananwa, the Blue Devils are bringing their own style.
Duke vs. UNC women's basketball time, where to watch
- Date: Friday, March 28
- Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
Wesley Branch is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.