Stars, stripes … and sequins?
When the UFC’s iconic Octagon Girls hit the White House lawn on June 14 for the Freedom 250 fight, they’ll be wearing skimpy new red, white and blue costumes that would surely make Betsy Ross blush.
“The inspiration was born from the intersection of sport, spectacle, and celebration,” Marina Toybina, the seven-time Emmy Award-winning costume designer behind the ring girls’ getups, told Maxim.
As modeled by Red Dela Cruz and Chrissy Blair, the patriotic wardrobe includes bustier tops, itty-bitty sequined hot pants and blinged-out belts in our nation’s colors.
On the more traditional (if you can call it that) end of the spectrum, there’s also a satin corset dress with starry side panels and a tiered, striped skirt that looks like something a “Project Runway” contestant might’ve fashioned during a Fourth of July design challenge.
The most formal option of the bunch? A boned bodysuit adorned with Trump-approved gold baroque trim and finished with a sweeping stars-and-stripes train. It would make an excellent prom outfit for Wonder Woman, provided she were willing to trade her metal cuffs for sheer blue opera gloves.
“Working closely with UFC, we wanted to create looks that honored both the energy of the brand and the significance of the 250th anniversary celebration. The goal was to blend strength, athleticism, glamour, and American heritage into a wardrobe language that felt sophisticated, powerful, and unmistakably iconic,” Toybina told Maxim, adding that the Octagon outfits are meant to “merge athletic strength with couture craftsmanship.”
“From streamlined silhouettes to dramatic statement pieces, each look played a role in an evolving red, white, and blue narrative. Rich textiles, custom embroidery, crystal embellishment, and patriotic motifs brought texture, movement, and a fresh interpretation of American glamour.”
Coinciding with both Flag Day and President Trump’s 80th birthday, the UFC Freedom 250 fight will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje — both of whom will be kitted out in red, white and blue uniforms of their own.
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