22 July 2025 |
Nike and Kallmeyer take on Indianapolis with Cafe Kallmeyer.
When you think of Indianapolis, the first major event that comes to mind is the Indy 500. Despite drawing a growing female fanbase, the race still tends to skew towards a male audience. But this weekend? It was, as Chappel Roan would say, a femininomenon, as the city played host to the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game. With the home team, the Indiana Fever, playing host and star guard Caitlin Clark named as one of the captains, it was shaping up to be a memorable weekend. And while Clark eventually pulled out with a groin injury, the unfortunate news didn’t diminish the palpable excitement in the air — everyone was in town and ready to celebrate women’s sports. Among those ready to party were Nike and New York-based label Kallmeyer, founded by Daniella Kallmeyer. The two brands took over The Garden Table, a local Indy favorite, and transformed it into Cafe Kallmeyer for a stylish and casual dinner before the big game.
The duo were in good company, as the intersection of fashion and sports was the theme of the weekend. On Thursday, an orange carpet kicked off festivities as the elite players made their first appearance, meticulously styled in pieces from the likes of Prada (Clark), Simkhai (worn by The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart), and custom Nike (seen on fellow Liberty teammate Sabrina Ionescu). On Friday evening, a Coach party called for even more good outfits. Come game day, the highly anticipated tunnel walk didn’t disappoint. From the likes of the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese in a slick leather suit to the Washington Mystics’s Kiki Iriafen in a beige mini blazer dress to the Las Vegas Aces’ A’ja Wilson in a Martine Rose jersey, it was flashy and fun. But perhaps the biggest style statement happened later. During warmups, the players donned matching tees that said, “Pay Us What You Owe Us”, a sentiment echoed by the crowd who roared in approval.
That such a scene could happen was inconceivable 30 years ago when Lisa Leslie, one of the game’s most iconic figures, was among the first to play in the then nascent WNBA. Leslie made an appearance at Cafe Kallmeyer, clad in a beige blazer and jeans from the brand. During her speech, she was quick to note not just the ways the game has evolved but also acknowledge the future of the sport, namely Juju Watkins. Watkins, a 20 year old USC player was anointed by Leslie as one to watch much to the delight of a crowd that included the likes of director Janicza Bravo and actors Abbi Jacobson, Denée Benton, and Mamie Gummer.
Following dinner at Cafe Kallmeyer, everyone made their way over to the game. Leslie underwent a quick outfit change, swapping the blazer for a head-to-toe plaid Kallmeyer ensemble with a Nike sports bra to sit courtside. And she was in good company as Sandy Brondello, coach for the New York Liberty was also wearing the label for her all-star appearance. Guess that was a lucky outfit — Brondello’s team, led by the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier proved to be the big winner of the night. But really, it didn’t matter who took home all-star bragging rights, it was the biggest win for women’s sports across the board in Indy this weekend — at least until next year.
From left: Lisa Leslie, Juju Watkins, Daniella Kallmeyer, (clockwise) Janicza Bravo, Janelle McDermoth, Daniella Kallmeyer, Eliza Huber, Denée Benton, Abbi Jacobson, Jodi Balfour, and Mamie Gummer.
