TSR's Hall of Fame: Kathleen and Kristina Cucé

Many great business ideas are born from taking something that already exists and making it better. That's exactly what identical twin sisters Kathleen and Kristina Cucé did when they started Cucé Shoes. Their inspiring story earns them a spot in TSR's Hall of Fame for transforming an existing product into something extra special for female sports fans looking for superior comfort, quality and style.

As dedicated Indianapolis Colts fans, the Cucé sisters decided to start a tradition of attending a home game at Lucas Oil Stadium at least once every year. In 2010, they traveled to Indy to cheer on the Colts against the New England Patriots and bought new game day outfits for the occasion. Dressed head to knee in team gear, they were stumped when it came to choosing shoes to wear. Comfort and warmth were essential, but they needed to look great, too. During the game, they talked about the idea of fan footwear and brainstormed about stylish, functional boots decorated with team logos. The pair knew they were on to something, so once they returned home, they decided to look into it further.

The Cucé twins researched the availability of fan boots and when they came up empty, they sprung into action.  They contacted the NFL by phone, e-mail and fax for months until a licensing director finally returned their call and asked, "What do you want? What is it that you need to show us so badly?" The sisters begged for a meeting and scored the opportunity of a lifetime - 30 minutes to make their pitch. Armed with samples, images and a winning concept, Kathleen and Kristina left the NFL's NYC office with a resounding "yes" from the licensing department. They were officially the youngest NFL licensees in the league.

Four months later, they presented their 2011 collection to stadium shops and national buyers at the NFL Consumer Products Summit at Gillette Stadium. Production followed in April and the boots hit retailers in September. The collection also appeared on the Home Shopping Network on Labor Day and was the featured item in the 2011 NFL Shop commercial.

"That was the happiest moment for us and our family...to see our product as first year licensees in a national campaign," said Kathleen Cucé, co-founder of Cucé Shoes.

Cucé Shoes are available for the NFL and select NHL and NCAA teams. MLB and NBA styles are on the way, so there's certainly much more to come from this dazzling duo. Thanks to their determination and passion, female fans have access to fashionable and comfortable footwear that celebrates their favorite teams.

Check out the 2011 collection from Cucé Shoes:

The Devotee Suede and Faux Fur Boots - Indianapolis Colts

The Supporter Suede Knee High Boots - Virginia Tech

The Supporter Suede and Faux Fur Boots - Detroit Red Wings

The Enthusiast Waterproof Rain Boots - New Orleans Saints

The Aficionado Patent Rubber Rain Boots - Pittsburgh Penguins

Want to stock up on a new pair of boots for next winter? You're in luck - Cucé Shoes is currently offering 50% off site-wide. Visit lovecuceshoes.com to get your pair!

XO,

The Style Ref

TSR's Hall of Fame: Ashley Judd

Hollywood is filled with beautiful people who put their careers first, but only one star would pick college basketball over the pilot premiere of her new television show. Actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd, whose new series Missing premieres this Thursday on ABC, takes team spirit to an inspiring level as an incredibly devout Kentucky Wildcats fan.

She's a frequent fixture at UK basketball games, but she doesn't just stand there and look pretty. She's a widely respected expert on Kentucky basketball with the knowledge to back it up. Judd's one smart cookie - she graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1990 and earned a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University in 2010. It's no wonder she's one of Kentucky's most famous and beloved alums.

Judd is much more than a role model for female sports fans; she epitomizes why we need more of them. Her passion, loyalty and enthusiasm are refreshing in a world where women are becoming an increasingly large and influential fan demographic. Her intensity for college basketball is not only impressive, it's intimidating and challenges the traditional notion that women don't care or know anything about sports. Judd also has great fan style, turning Kentucky blue into her own personal fashion statement both on and off the basketball court.
 

It's hard to relate to most celebrities, but when Judd talks about Kentucky basketball, it's easy to see how she won the hearts of Big Blue Nation and a place in TSR's Hall of Fame:

"One thing I love about going to UK games is that I don't feel like a movie star, 

I'm just another passionate fan," said Judd.

Correction: she's clearly not just another passionate fan, she's the definition of one.

XO,

The Style Ref

P.S. Judd isn't the only celebrity Kentucky fan. Click here to find out which hip hop star helps her cheer on the Wildcats!

TSR's Hall of Fame: Marisa Miller

What woman puts the skin in pigskin? No, that's not a trick question. Until recently, the NFL was a male-dominated domain, but all that changed thanks to one woman with a very big secret - Victoria's Secret, that is.

Renowned supermodel Marisa Miller singlehandedly brought sexy (and plenty of back) to the league when she was named the official NFL spokesperson for the 2010-2011 season. Miller isn't just a pretty face either; she's a devoted sports fan, not to mention quite an athlete herself.

"I’m so excited to have this incredible opportunity to partner with the NFL," said Miller.
"I’ve grown up watching football my whole life."

Her effect is three-fold: Men love her, women want to be her and both sexes gain a new appreciation for women who love sports. In her role as official spokesperson, Miller appeared at events and games, conducted interviews and shot advertising campaigns. It seems like a dream gig, but sexing up professional football is harder than it looks. Not just any female fan can take Miller's lead and infuse a little sex appeal into their passion for sports, right? Wrong.

Men might thank her for different reasons, but Marisa Miller belongs in TSR's Hall of Fame for showing the world that women don't have to choose between sports and femininity. They just have to choose a team.

Can you tell who Marisa roots for?

XO,

The Style Ref

TSR's Hall of Fame: Maria Menounos

TSR's Hall of Fame honors those who have made a significant contribution to the converged worlds of fashion and sports, making our passion for our favorite teams just a little more fun and stylish. The second inductee is actress, journalist and television host Maria Menounos.

TSR's Hall of Fame: Maria Menounos

You know her from hosting gigs on Access Hollywood, Extra, MTV, Disney's Christmas Day Parade and a dizzying array of other entertainment shows, but Maria is much more than a pretty face with a mic. She's an avid sports fan who's more like the girl next door than the girl on TV. Maria's cool fan style shows she's just like the rest of us. Plus, she sets a great example for female sports fans - always dress for the game with comfort and style.

Maria's fan allegiance is easy to figure out from these pictures, so let's take a look at the many sides of Menounos:

With fellow fan Dane Cook at a Boston Celtics game

Doing the correspondent thing at a Patriots game

Shooting a Red Sox vs. Yankees commercial with A.J. Calloway

Posing at the Madden NFL 11 ‘Pigskin Pro-Am’

Not only is she a sports fan, but she plays, too! Is there anything this girl can't do?




Playing in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and
Celebrity Softball Game in July 2010

In a friendly game with Boston Celtics Paul Pierce in 2011

Tossing the ball around at the Patriots' Gillette Stadium

Playing in a celebrity softball game at Yankee Stadium in 2008

Maria is a clear choice for TSR's Hall of Fame because she represents everything that men love about women who love sports: she's real, she's intense and she looks great in uniform. Thank you, Maria, for being a role model for female sports fans everywhere and doing it in style.

Do you think Maria's the right pick for TSR's Hall of Fame?

XO,

The Style Ref

P.S. - Hey Maria, should we count the Celtics out this season? Didn't think so.

TSR's Hall of Fame: Alyssa Milano

TSR's Hall of Fame honors those who have made a significant contribution to the converged worlds of fashion and sports, making our passion for our favorite teams just a little more fun and stylish. The very first inductee is former child star, actress and businesswoman Alyssa Milano.

TSR's Hall of Fame: Alyssa Milano

Aside from her on-screen talents, Alyssa is a self-proclaimed baseball fanatic. She loves to go to games and wear fan gear to support her team, but like most women, she had trouble finding things that fit her personal style. Along with The Style Ref, she believes women shouldn't have to sacrifice fashion to support their favorite teams (amen, sister!). So she partnered with G-III Apparel Group and Major League Baseball to design and distribute a line of juniors’ ladies MLB apparel called TOUCH. Launched in Spring 2007, the line isn't just for baseball fans anymore and now offers apparel for fans of the NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA, Major League Soccer, Minor League Baseball and The Kentucky Derby.

As one of the few apparel lines dedicated to fashionable women's fanwear, the price points are on the high side, but it's a great idea to invest in a couple of great pieces that you can use for years. Perhaps Alyssa's success with TOUCH is a sign that the market is finally taking notice of female fans and their needs. Let's be honest - women are a hugely untapped segment in fanwear and wearing their brother's oversized jersey just doesn't cut it anymore.

To check out more of TOUCH by Alyssa Milano, click here.

What do you think of Alyssa's line?

XO,

The Style Ref