With the NFL Draft taking place in Pittsburgh, the spotlight naturally turned toward the league’s newest wave of talent. Yet, even without former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin there following his departure after an impressive 19-season tenure, the Tomlin family still managed to command attention in the Steel City.
This time, it was Kiya Tomlin, Mike’s wife, who stepped into the conversation by breaking new ground at one of football’s biggest annual events.
Her presence at the Draft was tied to fashion, an area where she has been steadily building her own legacy for years. Kiya’s son, Mayce Tomlin, tomacknowledged the moment on social media, noting in an Instagram story that his mother had become “the first designer to do a fashion show at the NFL Draft.”
The recognition showed just how significant the occasion was, not only for her brand but for the NFL’s evolving relationship with culture and style.
Kiya Tomlin’s showcase, titled “From our Runway to Yours: A Black and Golden Welcome,” took place at Point State Park in Pittsburgh. It marked the first time a fashion show had ever been integrated into the NFL Draft experience. The event featured designs representing all 32 NFL teams, reimagining fan apparel with a focus on modern looks and women-centered fits.
From NFL partnership to fashion innovation
Kiya Tomlin’s connection with the NFL did not begin with this milestone. Her officially licensed partnership with the league started in 2021 with a Pittsburgh Steelers collection. By 2022, her designs expanded to multiple franchises, and by late 2024, she had secured licensing across all 32 NFL teams.
That progression reflected both the growing popularity of her brand and a broader shift in how sports merchandise is designed and marketed.
Her fashion journey, however, began long before her NFL collaborations. Originally launching under the name Uptown Sweats, she rebranded to Kiya Tomlin Fashion in 2014. She later expanded operations with the Kiya Tomlin Work/Shop in Etna, Pennsylvania, a space designed to show customers the full production process from fabric selection to finished garments.
Her design philosophy has often emphasized simplicity and functionality, inspired in part by her family life and Mike Tomlin’s disciplined daily routine. One of her earliest signature ideas was the “Signature Dress,” created as a practical, go-to wardrobe piece.
Kiya and Mike Tomlin first met while studying at William & Mary University in Virginia and married in 1996. Their journey together took them through early coaching stops in Tennessee before Mike Tomlin’s NFL career began in 2001.
After assistant roles in Tampa Bay and Minnesota, he became head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, ultimately becoming one of the league’s most respected figures.
Now, as the Tomlins enter a new chapter following Mike‘s coaching career, Kiya‘s milestone at the NFL Draft highlights how their influence continues to extend beyond football.
Read the full article here
