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9 of our favorite 2023 fashion moments, from Simone Biles in Green Bay to Alix Earle shopping a Milwaukee flea market

Hannah Kirby
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Looks may not actually kill but, boy, can they slay.

Sure, Wisconsin may not be a style hub like New York or Paris, but that doesn't mean we don't have any.

We've got gameday looks from the Milwaukee Bucks and Simone Biles, Alix Earle shopping a flea market here and Harley-Davidson's star-studded collabs. And, remember that iconic red coat T-Swift sported at Lambeau? Of course you do.

Nationally recognized streetwear maker Unfinished Legacy returned to its Milwaukee home this year, and a local high schooler made a prom dress out of duct tape.

With these and more, here are a handful of our favorite fashion moments from 2023:

Damian Lillard's gameday garb

Multiple Milwaukee Bucks deserve a shoutout. Looking at you, Jae Crowder and MarJon Beauchamp.

But, today, we're talking Damian Lillard. The point guard didn't just bring his basketball skills and music to Milwaukee this year. He also brought his signature style.

During his tunnel entrances ahead of games, Lillard has shown us the finer things, from Dolce & Gabbana to Prada.

Since it's winter, let's start off with his winterwear.

We loved this black Dolce & Gabbana crew neck sweater with bold white hearts and the brand's logo all over it. It's called the Monogram Heart Sweater and is a part of the designer's Black Sicily collection, according to Harrods.

Lillard didn't shy away from shine with this gold, textured top — but balanced it out with a black CELINE puffer and black, embellished CELINE pants. His sneakers added pops of color to the fit.

Lillard appears to be a fan of the matching set. But, even when he goes sporty with it, his looks are still elevated and intentional. I.e.: This black tracksuit completely covered in a subtle damask-looking pattern.

Heck, he even has the groutfit down, with this grey, ribbed DG sweat suit featuring dramatic pockets.

Simone Biles gets a gold for her style both on and off Lambeau Field

First, we need some commotion for Simone Biles' wedding dresses. Yes, the "s" is supposed to be there.

Biles tied the knot with Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens last spring. They had a civil ceremony at Houston's Harris County Courthouse, then a destination wedding in Cabo, according to Vogue.

Her Cabo ceremony dress, by Galia Lahav, served fairytale with flair. It had a ballgown skirt and floral detailing, but also a high slit and corseted bodice.

Since being in Wisconsin, Owens has gotten the cozy, chic look down pat, a la this black pleather blazer paired with an LBD, Gucci tights and slouchy heeled boots. Or, this brown and white checkered zip-up fleece worn over a brown dress with subtle corset-esque detailing and white boots.

And, she always slays gamedays.

One of our fav looks? The Athleta Downtown Puffer Parka in "Simone Green" that was was decked out in Packers and Owens customization. The four-time Olympic champion has had a partnership with Athleta since 2021.

She wore it with a green cropped puffer vest with a gold zipper that featured her hubby's number, 34, across the front, along with low yellow Moon Boots and a Louis Vuitton.

And, how could we not mention the custom foam GOAT hat that Jeff Kahlow, Frozen Tundra Man, made for her?

World champion and Olympic Gold Medallist gymnast Simone Biles is shown before the Green Bay Packers - Kansas City Chiefs game Sunday, December 3, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

The time Taylor Swift visited Green Bay and wore that iconic red teddy coat

Alexa, play "Back to December."

The Dec. 3 game that brought us Biles' green puffer also gave us Taylor Swift and the iconic red coat she was sporting.

The pop superstar took her private jet to Green Bay to support her beau, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, in his game against the Pack.

The belted teddy coat — which Swift sported open — caused quite the commotion on social media. It was the perfect balance of cozy and chic, signatures of Swift's style.

And, it also looks an awful lot like a coat Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, donned recently. Maybe Swift borrowed it?

Several outlets reported that Swift's was this Stella McCartney number

While the coat wasn't our team's colors that game, it is another Wisconsin team's colors: The Badgers. Thanks for the gameday inspo, Tay.

Social media liked the red coat Taylor Swift wore at Lambeau Field for Sunday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Harley-Davidson launches apparel collections with Post Malone, Jason Momoa

Harley-Davidson and all of its edgy glory continues to have its hold, whether it's on an avid biker or an influencer who found it at the thrift.

This year, the Milwaukee-based brand launched H-D Collections, a grouping of unique and distinct lifestyle apparel lines. That included collabs with A-listers, including Post Malone, one of the world's most successful musical artists, and "Aquaman" superstar Jason Momoa, who was just in town a couple of months ago, promoting his new premium vodka brand.

This summer, thousands of Harley fans from around the world descended on the city for the company's 120th anniversary blowout. And with them came their signature styles, from custom leather cuts and hippie bandanas to creative patches and matching outfits.

And for many, their looks meant more than meets the eye.

Roxanne Zetzman and son Jeff Zetzman honor the memory of Jeff Zetzman Sr. through their fashion choices at the Harley-Davidson 120th anniversary in Veteran's Park.

Nationally recognized streetwear maker Unfinished Legacy returns to Milwaukee, opens flagship store in Third Ward

Unfinished Legacy, which has been featured by Vogue and Levi’s, returned to its Milwaukee home this year and opened a flagship store in the Third Ward.

Brema Brema started the brand while he was a student at Riverside University High School. Brema, who was born in Sudan, moved with his family to a refugee camp in northwestern Kenya to escape an ongoing civil war. In 2010, his family moved to Milwaukee.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brema started working on Unfinished Legacy full time, and it soared to success.

Black Lives Matter shirts Brema created in the wake of George Floyd's death raised $5,000 in just 12 minutes.

Unfinished Legacy creator Brema Brema works on Black Lives Matter shirts.

In 2021, Brema moved his brand to Los Angeles to expand production, make new connections and grow artistically. There, it appeared at events held by Nike, Goodwill, Complex and Shopify.

This year, Unfinished Legacy scored a limited-edition collaboration with the Milwaukee Bucks' lifestyle apparel brand "Bucks in Six."

In addition to being a storefront, Unfinished Legacy's Third Ward space — at 201 N. Water St. — is also part art gallery and design studio with DIY screen printing.

The limited-edition Bucks In Six x Unfinished Legacy collection that launched in February 2023.

Greenfield native Tyler Herro looking like he just walked off a runway

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro often looks like he just walked off a runway — aggressive, unconventional, youthful. And, it works for the Greenfield native, whose drip has been turning heads since the 2019 NBA draft.

GQ Sports' Matthew Roberson said it best when he referred to Herro as "the 2000s babies’ fit god" earlier this year. One glance at the basketballer's Insta, you'll get it.

Herro isn't one to shy away from bold colors, patterns or graphics, whether it's a CELINE cheetah print button down, a red vintage Carhartt or on an oversized tee.

Relaxed pants are a must. And, he is one to accessorize. Think a Gucci or Palm Angels bucket hat, or a cap, and maybe some shades, layered necklaces and a watch.

After Herro left Game 1 of the first round of this year's playoffs with a broken hand — the game was against the Bucks — he started stunting from the sidelines.

"Because his injury has limited Herro to a sideline role, his main addition to these playoffs have been showcasing the bangers he was keeping in the closet," Roberson's GQ report said.

Commentator Stan Van Gundy wasn't a fan. And, he made that clear during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. He and Herro would end up beefing back and forth a bit.

In addition to repping his distinct streetwear style, the Whitnall High School grad has worked with several brands, including Armani Beauty, Hudson Jeans and New Era.

Milwaukee-based Bavlnka Brand debuts two new clothing capsule collections

Milwaukee-based Bavlnka Brand debuted not one, but two new clothing capsule collections in 2023. These were Laura Bavlnka's first in five years.

Bavlnka described her "Spring Summer 2023 Bavlnka Brand Capsule collection" as "feminine" elevated everyday wear.

She wanted it to showcase natural fiber textiles and naturally dyed fabrics, she told the Journal Sentinel. In a world full of fast fashion, she said she's trying to run her business as ethically and responsibly as possible.

Laura Bavlnka, owner of Bavlnka Atelier at 5209 W. North Ave. in Milwaukee on Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023. Bavlnka specializes in naturally dyeing textiles, elaborate alterations, creating jewelry and is starting a new clothing collections.

The collection featured dresses, like this golden 100% silk chiffon, naturally dyed number; rompers; layering pieces; jewelry; and the designer's signature silk scarves.

"The Fall 23 capsule collection" also stunned. It included this layered look in a gorgeous fall floral that featured a simple slip dress, an oversized button down blouse and matching wrap belt.

And, this Golden Silk Kimono that was made with pieces of naturally dyed silks that were patched together, then over dyed to "enhance the overall golden tones," Bavlnka shared on Instagram. The garment was styled with a 100% cotton gauze top and pant "to ground the look."

Bavlnka learned that fashion design could be a career as a student at Wauwatosa West. She went on to study apparel product development at Mount Mary University, which had a program that would allow her to spend a month in Paris and work backstage at fashion shows.

Bavlnka ended up landing a job in the industry with Kohl's. She took a "leap of faith" and launched her own brand in 2017.

From her North Avenue atelier, Bavlnka works on clothing, makes jewelry, does elaborate alternation work and naturally dyes accessories. She also hosts workshops to teach others how to natural-dye and make jewelry.

Alix Earle shops 414 Flea in Milwaukee while visiting Wisconsin family

Now that we know TikTok "it girl" Alix Earle has strong Wisconsin ties, we're claiming her as one of our own.

Over the summer, the "Hot Mess" podcaster who lives in Miami shared in a video that her mom is from Wisconsin and half of their family lives here.

While in town, Alix and her sister Ashtin shopped a 414Flea market at Zócalo Food Truck Park and shared hauls of what they bought on TikTok.

Alix's purchases included a handmade, "one of a kind" navy button down crop from the '70s, a pink gingham top with Barbie vibes, a turtleneck sweatshirt everyone told her not to get but she thought was "so cute" for summer, a white open-back tank she planned to wear in the Hamptons and more.

One thing about Ms. Earle, she doesn't miss, whether she's going out, getting glam, hitting the beach, lounging around or jetsetting the world.

Braxton Berrios and Alix Earle.

Let's have a moment for that ESPY Awards look. The leather dress, the Steve Madden heels, the Patrick Ta makeup — chef's kiss.

Why was she at this year's ESPY Awards, you ask? She's dating "NFL Man," err Braxton Berrios, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. That was actually their red carpet debut as a couple.

Of course, her gameday looks give. And, apparently so do her Halloween ones? She attended Heidi Klum's legendary Halloween party as Jadis, the "White Witch" of Narnia. And, also recreated the iconic cone bra Madonna donned on her "Blonde Ambition" tour.

Oak Creek high schooler's duct tape dress will go down in fashion history

During her senior year at Oak Creek High School, Ritika Singh spent hundreds of hours designing, creating and modeling a 15-pound dress made out of 38 rolls of duct tape.

Then, she entered the dress into the Stuck at Prom scholarship contest by Duck Brand, in which high school students were invited to create and wear a dress or tux made from Duck Brand duct tape or crafting tape.

With plans to study religion and sociology at Hofstra University, Singh, a member of the Sikh religion, wanted her dress to reflect her religious philosophy.

"There's a concept that society itself can live in a utopia where we all accept each other the way we are," Singh told the Journal Sentinel. "When we get too focused on the differences in our beliefs, we forget to think about other people's emotions. We need to think about that so we can live together in harmony."

The bodice of Singh's dress represents the world as a whole; she cut out all seven continents from green duct tape and affixed them to a blue background to indicate the ocean.

She then designed the bottom of the bodice and the skirt to "flow into three different categories." The first category is religion; she chose the largest eight religions of the world and added their symbols to the dress.

"The second layer focuses on people in general, so I made a human chain," Singh said. "If you look closely, the arms and legs make hearts, which shows that everything is about love because that's one thing we genuinely know how to do naturally."

For the third layer, Singh looked up all the countries of the world according to the United Nations and created their flags.

Aside from paper she used for the crests and a very thin painter's tarp that makes up the bottom layer of the skirt, the rest of Singh's dress is made from duct tape.

Oak Creek High School senior Ritika Singh made a dress out of duct tape to submit to a college scholarship contest.

While Singh didn't win the $10,000 cash scholarship, her dress will go down in fashion history. It was procured for Mount Mary University's more-than-10,000-item-strong fashion archive.

The archive's items are preserved for fashion design students to reference, sometimes be displayed as part of fashion exhibitions and cataloged in the university's digital archive.

Ritika Singh, Mount Mary fashion department chair Ashley Brooks, archivist Amanda Cacich, university president Isabelle Cherney and retired archivist Mary Elliot Nowakowski pose in front of Singh's duct tape dress, which she has donated to Mount Mary.

Jordyn Noennig and Amy Schwabe of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.