Cherry catches history with new Chiefs playoff collection — a first for a female designer
January 14, 2025 | Startland News Staff
An exclusive apparel collection from the Chiefs and fashion-forward brand Cherry is taking the field ahead of Kansas City’s latest playoff appearance. And the woman wearing the cherry-red captain’s patch: a familiar face within Kansas City sports and entrepreneurship.
Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Famer Dante Hall wears a piece from the Chiefs x Cherry campaign’s “Blossoming Grit Red Collection”; courtesy photo
Thalia Cherry, Cherry Co.; courtesy photo
“This collaboration means the world to me,” said Thalia Cherry, who founded Cherry Co. in 2012. “The Chiefs and our company are both dedicated to impacting community. As an entrepreneur and former athlete, I understand triumphs and losses — and the dedication it requires to follow your dreams, much like the players. This collection was designed to capture the essence of resilience.”
The Chiefs x Cherry campaign — “Blossoming Grit Red Collection” — features a high-end sportswear collection that draws inspiration from the profound symbolism of the cherry blossom.
“Every piece in the collection is a fusion of high fashion, designed for those who believe that true strength lies in balancing grace with determination,” Cherry said in a press release. “The collection, with its ephemeral beauty and enduring symbol of renewal, serves as the perfect metaphor for the Chiefs journey — where every moment of glory is earned through hard work and every triumph is a result of unwavering determination.”
It is exclusively available at the Chiefs Pro Shop located at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City International airport, and on the Cherry website.
Click here to shop Chiefs x Cherry.
The collaboration is the first such collection designed by a female designer in Kansas City, according to the Chiefs.
Representing the duality of life — its beauty and brevity — the collection embodies the spirit of rebirth, vitality and the relentless pursuit of excellence, Cherry said. The theme merges the concepts of beauty and grit, showcasing how the Kansas City Chiefs outwork their opponents with both elegance and tenacity, and emphasizes the beauty found in the struggle and the relentless pursuit of victory.
“We are thrilled to partner with Cherry on this exciting collection,” said Lara Krug, chief media and marketing officer for the Chiefs. “As a local, women-owned business, Cherry is the perfect partner to showcase the strength, style and innovation that we stand for. We believe our fans will love these fun and unique designs, and we can’t wait to see this collaboration come to life.”
A mainstay of the Kansas City business scene for more than a decade, Cherry contributes 10 percent of each purchase to support education, sports and entrepreneurship.
The brand celebrates the achievements of legendary athletes, game changers and cultural icons — depicting a story of individuality, fashion and historical moments.
Cherry products are available at such retail locations as Made in KC’s Plaza marketplace, Halls Crown Center, Rally House, and the Kansas City International Airport.
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Kansas City ESO icon Maria Meyers championed for bringing SourceLink to the world stage
A decades-long effort to grow inclusive entrepreneurial communities by strengthening access to critical resources began as a grassroots movement in Kansas City, said Maria Meyers, whose work recently earned her global recognition — and a rare honor in recent years for an American recipient. Meyers, the founder of SourceLink — a first-of-its-kind platform boasting more…
How this startup founder earned $200K in unrestricted, trust-based funding to transform KC’s relationship to food
Long-term community change comes one meal at a time, acknowledged one of Attane Health’s biggest supporters, reflecting on the Kansas City startup’s growth from the “spark of an idea to a full-fledged solution” — ultimately earning its founder a game-changing funding boost. The St. Louis-based Missouri Foundation for Health this month announced its inaugural Spark Prize…
Complex risks bring community kudos for creative entrepreneur honored by KC Chamber
Keisha Jordan didn’t know what saying “yes” to a job in Kansas City would unlock when she first relocated in 2020, she said, reflecting on a full-circle moment Tuesday after winning a top arts honor from the KC Chamber during its celebration of small business and entrepreneurs. “I trusted God, trusted the universe, and it’s…
KC’s top emerging business is brewing more than just beer at 18th and Vine, owners say
Winning the Emerging Small Business Award is validation that Vine Street Brewing Co. — Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery — is tapped into what the community wants and needs, two of its owners said Tuesday. “It signifies we’re moving along with purpose and that we can really lean into our goals,” explained Annie McGinnis, co-owner and…