The latest instalment of our ON A PLATE series, hosted by the adidas Fútbol Society, saw us stopping in at Atlanta for a celebration of the latest MLS jerseys for the 2025 season. This was done in beautifully bespoke fashion through the creative mind of stylist, Rebecca Tsuki, and here find out all about the process behind the project.
The intersection of football and fashion has never felt more dynamic, and Rebecca Tsuki is at the heart of its latest evolution. Tasked with curating 30 bespoke looks for our ON A PLATE Atlanta event, hosted by the adidas Fútbol Society, the stylist embarked on an ambitious journey—one that spanned three decades of Major League Soccer’s history while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of football culture in fashion.
Each of the 30 looks represents a moment in time, a visual narrative that weaves together club identity, cultural shifts, and runway-inspired reinvention. From 1995 to 2025, Tsuki’s collection serves as both a retrospective and a glimpse into the future of the sport’s ever-growing presence in the style world.
Given full creative control, Tsuki crafted a lineup where no two looks feel alike. Each outfit breaks conventions, embracing football’s raw energy while elevating it into a realm of high-fashion storytelling. The process? A relentless 10-day sprint of research, design, and execution, culminating in a collection that is as eclectic as it is impactful.
Following the highly successful event, we touched base with Tsuki to dive into her inspirations, her creative process, and how she redefined the aesthetic of football for ON A PLATE Atlanta.
So much variation went into the On A Plate styling. While each look has its own theme, what was your overarching inspiration going into this?
To be honest, it was incredibly difficult to focus on just one direction. It’s funny because I often find myself frustrated when clients don’t give me creative freedom. But with this project, the opposite happened—I was given a completely blank slate to work from. And ironically, that was just as challenging! My mind was flooded with ideas, and I struggled to decide where to begin.
Eventually, I landed on the idea of creating a timeline where football and fashion coexist, reflecting the evolution of the MLS and the ever-changing landscape of style. This allowed me to not only showcase the individuality of each team but also explore how football’s influence has grown within fashion over the years.
Creating 30 bespoke looks is an incredible feat. How did you ensure that each one felt unique?
I deliberately steered away from the kind of continuity you often see in fashion shows. Instead, I wanted to create a collection where each look was entirely distinct—no cohesion, no repetition. I wanted people to see the transgressive nature of football’s place in fashion, how the sport has broken through and carved out a presence in an industry that once felt separate from it. Each look stands alone as its own statement piece, telling a different story, while collectively representing football’s undeniable influence on style.
On that note, can you tell us just how much work went into bringing this collection to life?
It might sound unbelievable, but the entire collection—from the moment I got the project to the day of the show—was created in just 10 days. Every waking hour was spent researching, designing, and constructing. Most of my time was dedicated to understanding the inspiration behind each piece, diving deep into fashion and football history, sketching designs, and experimenting with ways to manipulate each jersey and ensemble.
My dream team and I worked tirelessly, surrounded by mannequins and sewing machines in the heart of Atlanta. Long days and longer nights, but the energy was electric. It was a labor of love, a whirlwind of creativity, and an experience I’ll never forget.
“I love pushing football into unexpected places, stripping it of its traditional context, and reimagining it through a different lens.”
What’s your take on the intersection of football and fashion?
For me, it’s a fusion of concepts that feels natural. I love pushing football into unexpected places, stripping it of its traditional context, and reimagining it through a different lens. Whether that means feminizing the sport’s aesthetic, de-gendering its identity, or simply challenging how people perceive it, I’m always looking for ways to redefine football’s place in fashion.
You’ve drawn inspiration from past runway shows. What was it about them that resonated with you?
Each of the 30 looks in the collection is inspired by a specific year between 1995 and 2025. I immersed myself in those years, exploring pop culture, iconic fashion moments, and pivotal football events. I wanted to capture the ambiguity between football kits and high fashion, taking visual cues from legendary collections while reinterpreting them through a footballing lens.
For instance, some of the looks nod to Vivienne Westwood’s “Anglomania” collection, which celebrated English heritage, while others pay homage to Alexander McQueen’s legendary runway moments—like the “Bird Show,” where I focused heavily on hair and makeup, or his unforgettable red lace look from 1997. These references allowed me to bridge the gap between football’s raw energy and fashion’s theatrical elegance.
How important was making a strong visual impact through these looks?
It was everything. I wanted each look to leave a lasting impression, something people would remember. Whether it was through the silhouette, the styling, or the way it referenced football in unexpected ways, my goal was to create a moment of impact with each design. I wanted every piece to be a conversation starter, something that challenges perceptions and invites curiosity.
How do you see the current movement of football’s relationship with fashion?
We’re in an exciting phase where football’s influence is extending beyond its traditional audience. It’s no longer just about fans of the sport—it’s about reshaping how the world perceives football culture. The crossover into fashion is allowing for a fresh narrative, one that speaks to a broader audience and challenges outdated notions of what football style can be. The response has been incredible, and it feels like we’re breaking new ground with every collaboration, every collection, and every reinterpretation.
“We’re in an exciting phase where football’s influence is extending beyond its traditional audience. It’s no longer just about fans of the sport—it’s about reshaping how the world perceives football culture.”
How did American culture, and specifically Atlanta, influence your approach to this project?
Landing in Atlanta felt like stepping into uncharted territory, and I loved it. The city has such a strong, unapologetic sense of style—a culture that doesn’t just follow trends but sets them. There’s an effortless confidence in how people carry themselves here, and that energy seeped into the collection. The boldness, the attitude, the way Atlanta embraces individuality—it all played a role in shaping the final vision.
How would you describe your personal taste as a stylist?
Honestly, my taste is a chaotic blend of influences that somehow work together—much like waffle and fried chicken in Atlanta. On paper, they don’t belong together, but in reality? They’re perfect. My aesthetic is a mix of cinema, fashion, and storytelling, always drawing from different eras and unexpected pairings. It’s about breaking the rules, reimagining silhouettes, and constantly exploring new ways to express identity through clothing.
What trend do you think will define 2026, a World Cup year?
I don’t believe in predicting trends, but if I had to make a wish for 2026? I’d love to see something romantic, medieval, and rich in texture—something that feels almost mythical. Football has always had an element of folklore to it, and I think there’s an opportunity to tap into that, to craft a visual language that feels both historical and futuristic at the same time.
adidas Fútbol Society returns to Los Angeles in March. Watch this space for more ON A PLATE action.
