16 | LUXlife Magazine King Designs has created some of the most recognizable uniforms in professional sports. Today, AKD serves professional and collegiate organizations across the NFL, NBA, NHL, CFL and other major sports leagues, as well as entertainment productions and performance teams around the world. The company has collaborated with numerous high-profile organizations, including the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, Los Angeles Laker Girls, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Commanders Jr. Force, and many others. Beyond its custom design work, House of AKD offers two signature collections. AKD Go Wild Wear provides performance apparel inspired by the company's most popular designs, making the AKD aesthetic accessible to a broader audience. AKD Black Label, meanwhile, focuses on exclusive coutureinspired uniforms created specifically for individual organizations, with each design tailored to reflect the unique identity of the team it represents. Angela's contributions to the industry extend well beyond her work as a designer. In recognition of her impact on professional cheerleading as a fullcircle leader in the industry, she was inducted as a Charter Member of the NFL Pro Cheerleader Hall of Fame, an honor celebrating individuals whose careers have made a lasting mark on the sport. Throughout her career, Angela King has helped redefine the role of the professional sports uniform, transforming it from functional apparel into an extension of a team's brand, identity, and performance. Her work continues to shape the evolution of sports fashion for organizations around the world, elevating the standards of professional performance on the field, court and stage. For more than 35 years, Angela King Designs/House of AKD has remained at the forefront of professional performance apparel, combining innovation, craftsmanship, and an unparalleled understanding of the performers they serve. It is this enduring commitment to excellence that has earned Angela King recognition as LUXlife Magazine's Best Professional Sports Uniform Designer 2026. Contact: Angela King Company: Angela King Designs [email protected] Web Address: www.angelakingdesigns.com ngela King Designs/The House of AKD has been shaping the world of professional performance apparel since 1989, creating custom uniforms for teams and productions ranging from intimate performance groups to events featuring more than 800 performers. Over the past three and a half decades, the company has earned the trust of an impressive roster of clients spanning professional sports, dance, entertainment, television, live productions, and special events. The company was founded on the vision of Angela King, whose goal was to create uniforms that make performers feel confident, comfortable, and polished. Today, AKD continues to design, develop, and manufacture its collections in-house, combining contemporary fashion with innovative construction, premium fabrics, and distinctive embellishments. This commitment to craftsmanship has established the company as one of the industry's most respected names in professional performance apparel. Angela's passion for dance began at the age of three. Describing herself as a "studio rat," she spent countless hours training, teaching, and refining her craft. During her summers, she studied under some of the industry's most respected instructors in Hollywood and Las Vegas. While attending high school, she performed on her school's dance squad before later instructing dance and songleading camps for the United Spirit Association. At just 17 years old, Angela became an original member of the San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush Cheerleaders. She cheered with the team for seven seasons, appearing at two Super Bowls before transitioning into a leadership role. As Coach and Director of the Gold Rush Cheerleaders for the next five years, she helped guide the team through two additional Super Bowl championship seasons. Her leadership later extended beyond the 49ers when she became a Founding Co-Director of the NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders, further cementing her influence within professional cheerleading. Her years as both a professional performer and director gave Angela a unique perspective on the needs of dancers and cheerleaders. Reflecting on what inspired her to establish the company, she explains: "I felt there was a need for better uniforms. As a dancer and cheerleader, my uniforms were often created by people who had never experienced what it was like to perform at that level. I believed dancers deserved uniforms designed by someone who truly understood their needs. A uniform isn't just something you wear, it's a tool that helps you perform with confidence." That philosophy continues to guide Angela's work today. As Creative Director, she personally oversees the development of every new design and pattern, ensuring each project reflects both the client's brand identity and the practical demands of performance. Under her leadership, Angela The Designer Behind Some of Professional Sports' Most Recognizable Uniforms Exceptional performance begins with exceptional design. For more than 35 years, Angela King Designs/House of AKD has been redefining professional performance apparel through innovative uniforms that combine fashion, function, and team identity. Recognized in the Leaders in Luxury Awards 2026, Founder and Creative Director Angela King shares the inspiration behind a career that continues to influence the world of sports fashion. A
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==