Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo, Lisa Leslie and an Iconic Fashion Moment
The launch of the WNBA in 1997 marked the beginning of a new era in professional sports. Among the faces selected to represent the league were three legendary players who became known as the “Original Three” superstars: Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo and Lisa Leslie.
Before the WNBA played its first official games, the league created a series of promotional campaigns introducing its new stars to fans and the media. One of the most memorable moments took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where Swoopes, Lobo and Leslie came together for an unforgettable fashion photoshoot.
The concept had a dramatic Hollywood influence, inspired by the iconic look and attitude of the film Reservoir Dogs. The three basketball stars posed together wearing full-length black leather trench coats, creating an image that perfectly captured the confidence and attitude surrounding the birth of a new professional sports league.
This image was found on Google
Custom Leather by Skip Pas
Behind the leather was Skip Pas, who at the time was the National General Manager of North Beach Leather, the legendary leather fashion brand.
Skip personally custom-measured and tailored the full-length black leather trench coats worn by the three players for the historic campaign. Each garment was fitted specifically for the individual athlete, bringing the craftsmanship of custom leather fashion to one of the earliest promotional moments in WNBA history.
It was an exciting combination of sports, fashion and pop culture, bringing together three groundbreaking athletes and one of America's most recognizable leather fashion brands.
A Moment That Became Part of WNBA History
Looking back nearly three decades later, the images and video from the WNBA's launch era provide a fascinating glimpse into the beginning of women's professional basketball at the highest level.
Sheryl Swoopes, Rebecca Lobo and Lisa Leslie would go on to become major figures in the history of the league, but before the first WNBA tipoff, they were already helping establish the visual identity of this brand-new organization.
The leather trench coat campaign remains a particularly memorable example of that early era.
Watch the Instagram Reel below to see this incredible moment featuring the WNBA's Original Three in their custom North Beach Leather trench coats.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYFWjlPu4HC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
From North Beach Leather to West Coast Leather
For Skip Pas, this historic WNBA campaign represents one chapter in a career dedicated to American leather fashion.
After his years with North Beach Leather, Skip went on to establish West Coast Leather in San Francisco in 2003, continuing his work as an American fashion designer specializing in leather clothing, custom design, alterations and restoration.
Today, the story of those original WNBA trench coats remains a unique connection between San Francisco leather fashion, professional basketball and American pop culture.
Three legendary athletes. Three custom leather trench coats. One unforgettable moment from the beginning of the WNBA.
The league was new. The players were becoming legends. And the leather was already making history.