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.

Tagged , , ,
Featured Business
    Featured Founder
      [adinserter block="4"]

      2025 Startups to Watch

        stats here

        Related Posts on Startland News

        Q&A: Troy Nash grew up in public housing; now he’s leading real estate innovation at UMKC

        By Tommy Felts | October 30, 2025

        Editor’s note: The following story was written and first published by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Click here to read the original story. [divide] Executive MBA professor named new real estate center director With more than two decades of leadership in public-private partnerships, economic development and community engagement, Troy Nash will serve as director of the Lewis…

        AI disruption is already here: Here’s how Kansas City workers navigate reality redefined by tech

        By Tommy Felts | October 30, 2025

        Editor’s note: This story was originally published by The Beacon, a member of the KC Media Collective, which also includes Startland News, KCUR 89.3, American Public Square, Kansas City PBS/Flatland, and Missouri Business Alert. Click here to read the original story from The Beacon, an online news outlet focused on local, in-depth journalism in the public interest.…

        Swifties made her work famous; Now this KC maker has opened a fourth retail shop

        By Tommy Felts | October 29, 2025

        Sales jumped after Taylor Swift was seen wearing one of EB and Co.’s rings at a key moment in the popstar’s high-profile romance with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The jolt of exposure helped propel the brand’s expansion — most recently the opening of a fourth shop in downtown Lee’s Summit. “This location was requested…

        Alexa, show me the winners: Storytailor leads Pure Pitch Rally prize tally ahead of tech launch

        By Tommy Felts | October 28, 2025

        Storytailor’s marquee Pure Pitch Rally win comes at the perfect time for the Kansas City startup, its founders said. They’re preparing to roll out a new immersive storytelling platform through a partnership with Amazon’s Alexa+ next year — a move expected to bring their tech to more than 200 million Prime users. “It’s the most…