Athletic Fashion Pioneer: Bianca Belair

Bianca Belair was born on April 9, 1989, and almost from the moment she arrived in the world, she seemed set to change it in many different ways. When she was in high school, which she attended in Knoxville, Tennessee, she immediately rose to attention as a talented track and field star. As a young adult, she got into CrossFit and it seemed as though she would make it as a world-class athlete, but intercostal chondritis, also known as shifting rib syndrome, forced her to make an early end to her dreams.

In 2016, she entered the world of wrestling. According to her, she had no actual plans in mind. In the beginning, it was more of a whim than anything else. By a stroke of luck, however, 20-year WWE veteran Mark Henry came across her profile and decided to let her try out. From there, the rest is history. Bianca went on to become a well-known wrestling star, champion, and fitness icon, dominating the scene with her talent, flair, and style.

And since her entrance into the limelight, it hasn’t all been about entertaining the crowd with stunning moves. She’s also a fashion pioneer, and her choices speak in their own distinct voice.

According to the wrestling star, looks are everything in the ring. That’s why she decided to break the boundaries of the generic and stereotypical. Her idea: making ring gear to match her style and personality.

“I call myself the ‘-est’ of WWE,” she said. “I'm the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best, and I want to do everything myself and I want to give 110 percent. That's not just me being a WWE superstar, but that's me training in the ring, that’s me working out, that’s me studying my promos, and that’s also me making my own gear.”

And Bianca’s style certainly is impressive. From red and white polka dot pants to sparkly eye-catching outfits, she has wowed the wrestling world with her uniqueness.

Not surprisingly, this isn’t something new. As a child, the icon had already begun down the road of fashion, making her own clothes from her mom’s sewing kit. What began as a little girl’s curiosity turned into a skill that would add flair and style to her athletic life.

Another aspect that makes Bianca’s ring gear truly exciting is that her outfits aren’t random. Each time she gets into the ring, she wears something that fits a theme. For example, at the “Royal Rumble,” she decided to go with a comic book theme. For Black History Month, she made outfits that paid homage to the influential black figures in her life. For spectators and fans, it’s always been exciting to see what she comes up with next. Truly, nothing is dull about watching the fiery star as she dominates the ring.

The WWE superstar has already changed the scene with her iconic self-made ring gear, and she’s not stopping there. According to her, her dream is to start her own fashion line, designing not only ring gear but also dresses and apparel. For now, she designs her own dresses and clothing for her husband, Montez Ford. It’s exciting to see what the future holds for this talented star, and who knows? You and I might one day find ourselves wearing one of her bright, bold creations.