Columbia Students Bring Game Day Style to Chicago Sky Season Opener

From left to right: Tiara Burton, Katie Gibson, Allison Bell, Nat Sass, Taryn Callion, Jair Reyes, Xochil Herrera Scheer, and Daryl Sneed at ABC 7 during a newscast appearance on May 22. From left to right: Tiara Burton, Katie Gibson, Allison Bell, Nat Sass, Taryn Callion, Jair Reyes, Xochil Herrera Scheer, and Daryl Sneed at ABC 7 during a newscast appearance on May 22.
A group of students show off their designs at the Chicago Sky season opener on May 22. A group of students show off their design collab at the Chicago Sky season opener on May 22.
Students at game
Students at game
Students at game
A look from the ColumbiaxSOUNDOFFxChicago Sky collaborationA look from the Columbia x SOUNDOFF x Chicago Sky collaboration
A look from the Columbia x SOUNDOFF x Chicago Sky collaboration
A look from the Columbia x SOUNDOFF x Chicago Sky collaboration
A look from the Columbia x SOUNDOFF x Chicago Sky collaboration
Columbia fashion students and local brand SOUNDOFF launched a custom fan apparel collection for the Chicago Sky, blending sportswear design with hands-on industry experience.

Columbia College Chicago fashion students kicked off the 2025 WNBA season in style with the debut of their custom fan apparel collection for the Chicago Sky on May 22 at Wintrust Arena. Designed in collaboration with local Black-owned brand SOUNDOFF, the streetwear-inspired pieces reflect the spirit of the team, the culture of the city, and the passion of Sky fans. 

The collection—featuring limited-edition jerseys, hoodies, and accessories—was developed during “Concept to Consumer,” a two-part senior capstone course required for all BA students in Fashion Studies, taught by Xochil Herrera Scheer, adjunct professor of instruction, and Allison Leahy, associate director of the School of Fashion and associate professor of instruction. 

“Our students did a lot of market research, looking into the demographic of the Chicago population, who is coming to these games, and also checking out the gaps in merchandise—what fans are looking for to support their team—and they really hit the mark with their designs,” says Scheer. “They went through prototyping, design, and now these final garments.” 

Students collaborated closely with SOUNDOFF founder Daryl Sneed, who brought both industry insight and a long-standing relationship with Scheer to the table. “Xochil and I have been industry acquaintances for 15 years, and she reached out about SOUNDOFF becoming the brand partner for the capstone program,” says Sneed. “I thought it was a great opportunity to work with the Columbia class and bring new perspectives into fashion, streetwear, and sports merchandising.” 

The final products are now available for purchase through SOUNDOFF Design, which operates a pop-up shop at Chicago Sky home games at Wintrust Arena. The launch has already generated local media buzz. ABC 7 Chicago hosted an in-studio fashion show preview as part of their morning newscast, WBEZ interviewed Scheer, and NBC 5 featured the collaboration in a segment with Sneed and School of Fashion director Colbey Reid. 

For fashion student Nat Sass, the experience has been transformative. “Starting out, I had no idea it would get to this point. I was not as confident as I am today—in my abilities, and in knowing what the fashion world looks like,” says Sass. “This class really pushed me forward and made me feel ready for that. It really proves that we're prepared to get out there and take on the professional world.” 

Watch the fashion show preview on ABC 7: 
Columbia students, SOUNDOFF launch fresh Chicago Sky fan fashion

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