It was just a little over three months ago when a letter from Riley Morrison made its way to Stephen Curry asking why his signature shoe wasn’t available in girl’s sizes or styles. The letter from the 9-year-old hooper had an impact on the two-time MVP, because he let her know right away that he and Under Armour had something special in store for her and all other girls. The Splash Brother made waves on International Women’s Day by bringing out Riley and letting her be the first to check out the Curry 6 girls shoe, which she co-designed:
9-year old Riley Morrison wrote a letter to @StephenCurry30 to let him know she could not find his signature shoe in girl sizes. 5 months later, she co-designed the #UAIcon “United We Win” #Curry6 for International Women’s Day. That’s how you #RuinTheGame. #WEWILL pic.twitter.com/4F6lvGLFld
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) March 8, 2019
Be fearless. Be the change. The #UAIcon #Curry6 “United We Win” pays homage to Riley Morrison and ALL women around the world who are using their voice to fight for equality. Shop @StephenCurry30’s International Women’s Day inspired design now. https://t.co/2xJEFXRk8M pic.twitter.com/HAvTrlXrEl
— Under Armour (@UnderArmour) March 8, 2019
It was undoubtedly a special day for both Steph and Riley. In Curry’s response to the letter back in late November, he asked Riley to be present for the Golden State Warriors’ game against the Denver Nuggets that would take place on the night of International Women’s Day. He had a little more in store, as she was the guest of honor for the debut of the new shoe and the purple laden colorway named “United We Win.”
Not only was Riley’s letter the inspiration behind the move made by Curry and Under Armour, she was also the designer for the colorway’s sock liner. The design features two young girls playing basketball surrounded by phrases like “be courageous,” “play with heart,” and “girls hoop too.”
Matt Powell, a sports industry advisor for the NPD Group, said “women’s footwear remains our greatest failure and our greatest opportunity” as he detailed that only Curry is the first male pro basketball player to ever market to women and girls. It is, no doubt, quite an impactful and pivotal landmark.