Breanna Stewart’s Tuesday morning got off to a groggier start than usual before a Liberty practice.
That’s because the two-time MVP was busy posing in front of an endless row of flashing lights and rubbing shoulders with Pharrell and Lewis Hamilton while wearing a custom ivory tuxedo paired with a hand-embroidered sequin blouse and a matching overcoat at the Met Gala in New York City on Monday night.
The consummate professional — with her first full practice since a March knee surgery slated for the morning — didn’t return home till 2 a.m., just five hours before a much more important task needed to get done.
“Decided to bring Ruby to school,” said Stewart, who is a parent of two with partner Marta Xargay. The couple became mothers in 2021 after the birth of Ruby Mae Stewart Xargay and welcomed their second child, Theo Josep Stewart Xargay, in October 2023.
“You know, I am a mom. So I still do my mom duties.”
Monday night’s appearances were part of a long victory lap for Stewart and Liberty stars who secured the first WNBA title in franchise history back in October. Stewart was joined by star teammates Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones. Team owner Clara Wu Tsai also didn’t miss the festivities inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art that came alive with tributes for Black culture, history and style.
This year’s dress code, “Tailored for You,” was inspired by the institute’s accompanying exhibition “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” which explores the history of Black dandyism. The Met said its annual theme is designed to “provide guidance and invite creative interpretation.”
The Liberty attendees were decked out in Sergio Hudson, a Black self-titled fashion brand. The designer is known for dressing former vice president Kamala Harris and former first lady Michelle Obama.
“It was amazing,” said Ionescu, who dazzled in a custom white bralette paired with a black tailcoat tuxedo jacket. The star Nike athlete swapped out her hit signature sneakers for a pair of white Jimmy Choo shoes on the night out.
“I think the best part was being able to share [the moment] with my teammates as well and Clara. It was all our first time. So we had no idea what to expect, but it was beautiful from start to finish. I was just happy to be there.”
The moment wouldn’t have been reached without the title-winning efforts by Jones, who propelled her team by winning 2024 WNBA Finals MVP in the thrilling five-game series over the Minnesota Lynx. The 6-6 Bahamian stepped out in a custom double-breasted jacket in croc-embossed leather, paired with black crepe bootcut trousers.
Jones wasn’t present for Tuesday morning’s practice for an unrelated excused absence, per Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello.
“They looked pretty good didn’t they? They looked amazing,” Brondello said.
The Liberty stars that are accustomed to wowing nearly 20,000 fans nightly at Barclays Center were the ones with excitement on their faces at the Met Gala.
Ionescu recalled seeing elevator doors opening and being shocked at the sight of French actor Omar Sy, the star of popular Netflix thriller “Lupin”. The series features Sy in the role of Assane Diop, a man who is inspired by the adventures of thief Arsène Lupin, a character created by French novelist Maurice Leblanc in the early 1900s. At the time of the event, the sharpshooter couldn’t recall the actor’s actual name and resorted to calling him by the name of the fictional thief.
“I saw him coming out of the elevator and I like freaked out,” she said. “I was like Lupin!
“I know that’s not his name,” she added while laughing. “But he was one of the coolest people I saw because I’ve watched the entirety of that show.”
Ionescu said she chatted with global superstars she adored like 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams and seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.
“They knew who I was, which was kinda crazy for me.”
Along with having memorable chats with the GOATS of their respective industries, the best-dressed stars at the Met Gala are often remembered for the looks on display at the annual event.
Stewart was on the receiving end of compliments, which is a major plus a for first-time attendee at the Met — let alone the Met Gala. To go with her custom garments, Stewart shined with fitting accessories to match the hue of her overall outfit: an AP watch, Saint Laurent boots, Spinelli Kilcolin earrings and rings, Edward Avedis brooches and a Monrowe hat.
Not bad for a rookie.
“I think the best compliment that I had was just that everything, from start to finish, [was] put together really well,” said Stewart, who received help from Black stylist Courtney Mays.
Before the night ended, Stewart — being the consummate professional she is — made she sure didn’t leave the Met Gala without doing her job. Being the face of the Liberty and vice president of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, Stewart recruited a popular face often seen courtside at Knicks games inside Madison Square Garden.
Who did she pitch the opportunity of sitting courtside at Barclays Center for the upcoming 2025 WNBA season ? Academy award-winner and Brooklynite Anne Hathaway.
Will she make the trip to Atlantic Avenue?
“She said she wants to,” Stewart declared.
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