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
Proactive hometown company-building will cross county, state lines with Fountain Innovation Fund, ECJC leader says
It’s time for Kansas City stakeholders to stop waiting for coastal companies to “save the day,” said George Hansen. “We spend a great deal of tax dollars trying to entice companies to move here with their workforce,” Hansen, president and CEO of the Enterprise Center in Johnson County, told a crowd of about 100 gathered…
Kauffman launching Capital Access Lab investment pipeline for underserved entrepreneurs
Every new business should have a fighting chance at success — regardless of the entrepreneur’s background, said Victor Hwang, announcing a new Capital Access Lab to address opportunity gaps in Kansas City and across the U.S. “It is up to us to collectively break down systematic barriers to entry that adversely impact people of color,…
Nearly 30 percent of InvestMidwest applicants from Kansas City
Young Kansas City companies are hungry for investor dollars and connections — as evidenced by dozens of metro startups and businesses applying for next month’s InvestMidwest Venture Capital Forum. Of the more than 140 applications from entrepreneurs in 19 states seeking to pitch their companies, 18 hail from Kansas City, Missouri, and 10 call Overland Park…
Made in Kansas City named TeamKC MVP for celebrating KC pride, promoting talent
With its sprawling footprint and focus on local creatives, Made in Kansas City is among the most valuable brands in the metro, TeamKC announced Friday, touting the startup as an economic development driver worthy of its MVP award. Made in KC — founded in 2015 as a retailer of Kansas City-centric and locally designed and made…