Fighting Irish Today

Liatu King, the transfer forward from Notre Dame, has seamlessly integrated into the No. 3-ranked Fighting Irish’s lineup, both on and off the court.

When King entered the transfer portal in March, her conversations with Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey centered not just on basketball, but on something else: fashion. The two bonded over King’s social media style, which has long been a part of her identity. Fashion has been a hallmark of the Notre Dame women’s basketball program since Ivey’s predecessor, Muffet McGraw, set the tone for a polished, stylish team culture. For King, knowing that her new coach and teammates shared a similar appreciation for fashion made her transition from the University of Pittsburgh that much smoother.

“At my previous school, fashion wasn’t a big thing,” King shared with Andscape. During her time at Pitt, where she earned 2024 first-team All-ACC honors, she was passionate about fashion but didn’t feel it was embraced. “I’ve always loved fashion, and now being in a place where it’s welcomed and celebrated, I can really be myself. There’s nothing like getting dressed up, walking out, and having people compliment your outfit.”

This season, Notre Dame has put a spotlight on its women’s basketball team’s pregame outfits, turning the tunnel walk into a runway. For King, it’s more than just a chance to look good—it’s a way to bring positive energy to the game.

“Fashion makes me feel good and confident,” she explained. “It’s not just about getting dressed for the game; it’s about setting the tone. If I feel good, I play good. That’s my mentality.”

While some of her teammates were initially hesitant about embracing fashion, the team’s supportive culture has encouraged them to experiment with their own styles. “Some of my teammates weren’t really into fashion at first, but now they’re getting more into it. They see how it empowers you, and it’s a fun bonding experience,” said King. “When you feel confident in what you’re wearing, it makes you feel more empowered in everything you do.”

King’s love for fashion began early in life, growing up in Washington, D.C., where sneakers and hats were central to the local style. She recalls waiting in long lines for the latest Jordan releases. Over time, her love for shoes grew into a passion for creating outfits that complemented her sneakers. At 6 feet tall, King learned how to dress for her frame, discovering that flared pants were a flattering option to give her a longer, leaner look.

“Finding pants that fit me properly was a challenge growing up,” King said. “They’d fit my waist but not my legs. It’s so important to know your body type and what works for you. For me, flared pants give the illusion of extra height, which I love.”

Over the years, the intersection of women’s basketball and off-the-court style has grown, and King has used fashion as a way to define her personal identity while helping her teammates do the same.

“Women’s basketball didn’t get a lot of attention for a while, but now we’re seeing how fashion plays a role in the sport,” King said. “I get so much positive feedback on what I wear, and now I’m focused on helping my teammates develop their own style. It’s exciting to see everyone’s unique personalities come out through their fashion choices.”

When it comes to shopping, King favors brands that offer a wide range of sizes and styles, like SSENSE, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue. She particularly loves designers like Issey Miyake, Who Decides War, and Rick Owens. However, she’s also known to find great pieces from more affordable brands like Aritzia, ASOS, and Zara. Her favorite brand to work with when styling her teammates is Y/Project, thanks to its versatility and how easily its pieces can be reworked.

“I love the challenge of dressing my teammates. Everyone has a different style, body type, and preference, so it’s about finding what makes them feel comfortable,” King said. “We talk about influencers and celebrities whose style we admire, and we bounce ideas off each other.”

King’s passion for fashion extends beyond her teammates. She attended New York Fashion Week in September, where she connected with stylists and designers. This experience solidified her desire to pursue styling, rather than design, as her future career path.

“Fashion Week gave me a clearer vision of where I want to go,” King shared. “I don’t want to design clothes, but I’d love to style them. I enjoy putting pieces together—mixing and matching, figuring out what works with what. It was such an inspiring experience.”

King has since brought that knowledge and insight back to her teammates, helping them curate their own game-day outfits. For players like sophomore guard Emma Risch, King’s sense of style has become a guiding force.

“She’s a huge inspiration,” Risch said. “Her vision for outfits is something I want to emulate. It’s really cool to collaborate with her, and I know she’s going to help me look great. We have a mutual understanding of what works, and it always comes together.”

Even players like point guard Hannah Hidalgo, known for her signature hoop earrings and streetwear-inspired style, have turned to King for fashion advice. Hidalgo, a first-team All-American, appreciates the opportunity to express her personality off the court through her outfits.

“On the court, I’m aggressive and intense, but off the court, I love being able to show a more feminine side through fashion,” Hidalgo said. “Liatu brings so much to the team in terms of style, and I’m excited to see what we do next. She really knows how to bring out the best in everyone.”

King has also taken note of the stylish role models who came before her, including Notre Dame alums Arike Ogunbowale and Skylar Diggins-Smith. “It’s cool to be part of that legacy,” King said. “Their style has influenced a lot of us, and I admire how they’ve shaped the fashion culture at Notre Dame.”

King also looks up to stylists like Law Roach and Courtney Mays, who work with WNBA stars, and dreams of one day collaborating with celebrities like Zendaya and Teyana Taylor. In the meantime, King has taken on the role of curating complete game-day looks for herself and her teammates, making sure they’re confident and ready to turn heads.

“People love to see the tunnel fits—it’s exciting for us and for the fans,” King said. “At the end of the day, as long as we feel comfortable and confident, that’s what matters. We want to create something that resonates with our audience, but more importantly, we’re doing this for ourselves.”