In the fall of 2024, the NFL hired its first fashion editor, Kyle Smith. The timing felt right, considering the increasing number of fashion and sports collaborations that had rolled out in the months prior, fueled in part by the Summer Olympics. There was also the growing interest in “tunnel fits,” thanks to social media providing more access to athletes’ lives off the field. Smith joined the NFL with a fashion resume that included writing for magazines, doing brand PR and styling under Karla Welch. 

For this week’s episode of the Glossy Podcast, Smith joined host Jill Manoff to discuss the influence of athletes’ style, the current fashion-sports relationship and the responsibilities he has in his new role. He also recaps his recent trips to international fashion weeks and shares his process for styling his clients, including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.