Lisa Leslie Takes Center Stage at NYFW with 831MINHLE

At The Legacy Table, designer Minh Le presented a collection inspired by the WNBA icon, culminating in Leslie’s own runway appearance just days before her historic statue unveiling in Los Angeles.

A Legacy in Motion

On September 12, 2026, the Janet Mandell New York Showroom in Manhattan became the setting for The Legacy Table, an intimate NYFW presentation bringing together fashion, basketball, music, and culture.

Presented by brand architect Mahiri Takai and hosted by celebrity stylist and fashion curator Dawn Marie Haynes, the evening introduced the latest collection from 831MINHLE, the private-client couture and performance tailoring house founded by designer Minh Le. With 75 curated guests in attendance, the presentation centered on WNBA and Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie, whose legacy served as the inspiration for the collection.

Leslie did more than attend. She closed the presentation herself, stepping onto the runway in a collection created around her influence and designed to merge power, fit, function, and sophistication.

First Ladies

The collection featured bold colors, strong silhouettes, and performance-minded tailoring for women and men. Built around 831MINHLE’s approach of constructing garments from the body up, the looks reflected the brand’s focus on precision and wearability.

Among the evening’s defining moments came during Leslie’s closing remarks, when she reflected on her relationship with Minh Le and the designer’s approach to occasion dressing.

Leslie recalled a suit Le had created for her that she had held onto while waiting for the right moment to wear it. When Le later asked why she had never worn it, her response was simple: “Every moment you wear 831MINHLE is a special occasion.”

The statement became a fitting expression of the house’s philosophy—and of an evening centered on legacy, presence, and personal style.

The Legacy Table

The event unfolded in several chapters, beginning with an immersive art gallery and cocktail reception before moving into a live performance by singer, songwriter, guitarist, and genre-fluid R&B, soul, and funk artist Greg Banks.

The evening then transitioned into the 831MINHLE runway presentation, with Leslie at its center.

Coach Dawn Staley, a longtime 831MINHLE client, described the gathering as a family reunion, underscoring the personal relationships connecting the designer, athletes, and wider creative community.

From the Runway to Los Angeles

The NYFW presentation came eight days before the Los Angeles Sparks were scheduled to unveil a permanent statue honoring Leslie at Crypto.com Arena on September 20, 2026.

That proximity placed the 831MINHLE presentation within a significant week for Leslie, connecting a fashion collection inspired by her career with a forthcoming permanent tribute to her legacy in Los Angeles.

For 831MINHLE, the runway became a space where athletic achievement, personal style, and fashion craftsmanship converged around the story of one of basketball’s most recognizable figures.

831MINHLE

Founded by Minh Le and based in Lexington, South Carolina, 831MINHLE specializes in private-client couture and performance tailoring for professional athletes, broadcast talent, and high-achieving professionals. Its listed clientele includes Dawn Staley, A’ja Wilson, Lisa Leslie, Kaila Charles, Robin Roberts, Tamron Hall, Craig Melvin, Madina Okot, and Nike executives.

Lisa Leslie Takes Center Stage at NYFW with 831MINHLE