The light bulb moment

Picture this: a bustling college tailgate at USC. The air is thick with excitement, but something is wrong. Every woman in sight is wearing a men’s t-shirt, cut and cut to fit. It’s 2015 and the women’s sportswear market is stuck in the Stone Age. Enter Cecilia Gonzalez and Kimberly Robles, two college students on the verge of flipping the script on an industry that sleeps on half its clientele.

“We were shocked,” Gonzalez recalled. “Women made up the majority of students, but 90% of the material offered in the bookstore was aimed at men. We knew we had to do something.

That “something” became Hype and Vice, a brand born in a dorm room with a simple mission: to provide female sports fans with the stylish, comfortable gear they deserve. But how do you go from a simple light bulb to a full-fledged fashion line? Spoiler alert: it involves lots of coffee, late nights, and a stubborn refusal to accept “that’s the way it’s always been” for an answer!

From fans to founders

For Gonzalez and Robles, it was all about walking. “We were our own customers,” they explain. “We loved sports and fashion, and we felt the same frustration as other women trying to find something cool to wear to support their teams.”

This first-hand experience gave them a unique advantage. They didn’t just guess what women wanted: they lived it. Late nights in their dorm room turned into impromptu design sessions. Sketches became prototypes, and prototypes became the first Hype and Vice collection.

“We figured if we could create something we would actually want to wear, other women would too.”

Making waves on the college scene

Starting with college clothing, Hype and Vice quickly caught the attention of fashion-forward sports fans. Their secret? Designs that capture the spirit of the match, made with materials capable of withstanding hours of cheering in the stands, ready for whatever an eventful match day might throw at them.

The news quickly spread across campuses. Suddenly, women had options beyond the usual baggy t-shirts and ill-fitting swimsuits. Hype and Vice offered a new vision of team spirit, without compromising on style or comfort.

“Women have told us that they finally feel properly represented in the stadium,” says Gonzalez. “It was as simple as offering clothes that actually fit them and reflected their style.”

Going pro: the NBA and MLS join the party

But why stop at university? The NBA and MLS quickly called, and Hype and Vice responded. “We saw the same problems in professional sports,” notes Gonzalez. “Women everywhere deserve fashionable and comfortable options to represent their teams. »

This expansion wasn’t just about growing the business. It was about meeting a need that spanned all levels of sports fandom. From college basketball to professional football, women sought clothing that reflected their passion for the game and their sense of style.

“We are addressing a long-standing problem in sports,” says Robles. “Women have been passionate about sports for generations, but the clothing industry has been slow to catch up. We are changing that.

Beyond Gameday: Everyday Fandom

Today, Hype and Vice offers everything from gaming looks to everyday clothing and accessories. Want to show off your team colors while grabbing coffee or lounging around the house? They have what you need.

“We realized that being a fan is about more than just playing,” Gonzalez says. “It’s part of who you are, every day. So we created pieces that allow you to show off your team pride, whether you’re at the stadium or at the grocery store. And you’ll look cute too.

Turning heads in the industry

The success of the brand has not gone unnoticed. A spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and attention from big-name investors solidified Hype and Vice’s status as a rising star in the sportswear world.

But for these two founders, these distinctions are only confirmation of what they already knew: women were hungry for change in sports fashion. “It’s rewarding to see the industry recognize what we’ve been saying all along,” they admit. “But the real reward is seeing women feel confident and stylish in our clothes. That, and it proves everyone wrong who said, “But women don’t really care about sports, do they?” »

The future of women’s sports fashion

For Gonzalez, this is just the beginning. “We are seeing a massive change in the sport,” she says. “Women take center stage, both as athletes and fans. Just look at the growth of the WNBA. The demand for women’s activewear is taking off, and we’re all in on it. We saw this coming and we’re ready to bring even more options to our fellow female fans.

This vision goes beyond just selling clothes. Hype and Vice is positioning itself at the forefront of a cultural shift, where women’s participation in sports – as athletes and fans – is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

“We don’t just change our clothes,” Robles insists. “We change our minds. One trendy outfit at a time.

What’s next for hype and vice?

So what’s next for Hype and Vice? More leagues, more sports, and more ways for women to show off their team pride in style.

The brand is now setting its sights on new horizons in the world of sportswear. “We’re excited to explore unisex styles,” reveals Gonzalez. “We believe that great design can transcend traditional gender boundaries in sports fashion.”

But that’s not all. Hype and Vice is also making significant strides in the professional sports arena. “We are expanding our partnerships with professional sports leagues,” says Gonzalez. “It’s exciting to see our designs reach fans across a wider range of sports.”

Join the avant-garde fan movement

As the world of sports becomes more inclusive, brands like Hype and Vice are leading the way, proving that you can love your team and look good doing it. Who would have thought that one frustrating day in front of a university could spark such a revolution?

Ready to join the movement? Discover the latest collections from Hype and Vice on hypeandvice.com. With the NBA season underway, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your gameday wardrobe. Remember, these clothes are in high demand – so you better act now while supplies last!

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