Client Spotlight:
Introducing Gameday Apparel Brand Byeweek
An Interview With Founder Mia Murphy| By Emma Golley | November 17th 2025
Byeweek is a gameday apparel brand I’ve had the pleasure of partnering with for the past year and a half, working closely on designing and developing their growing collection. In this interview, I sit down with founder Mia Murphy to talk about how Byeweek started, the why behind the brand, and what it’s really like bringing new pieces from idea to final product. We dive into the creative process, the challenges, and the wins along the way, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how this unique game day brand came to life.
Q: Hi Mia! Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind starting it?
A: The brand started from my passion for fusing the world of fashion and sports, so that you don’t have to sacrifice your personal style and comfort while representing your favorite Universities, Teams, and Alma Mater. I wanted to offer contemporary, elevated, premium designs and craft show-stopping outfits.
The Kickoff collection was inspired by my strong desire to elevate gameday apparel after attending hundreds of sporting events and being continuously let down by the pieces at stadium stores and in university bookstores. I wanted to encapsulate the energy felt on game days into timeless, wardrobe staples that you could wear at home, in the city, and at games. Each piece is a key wardrobe staple that you can translate into your everyday lifestyle.
Q: What gap or opportunity in the market did you see that led you to launch your first collection?
A: As an avid sports fan, I consistently felt frustrated and disappointed walking into fan apparel stores, unable to find pieces that were high quality and would make me feel confident wearing. Specifically in the collegiate sports market, the options available for women’s apparel were minimal, and of those, very few were pieces I would continually reach for in the years to come.
Q: How did you find the process of developing your first collection from concept to creation?
A: I first worked on collecting my thoughts and vision for the brand into a collection moodboard. Emma was then able to translate that into design sketches to formulate a cohesive collection that spoke to my vision for the brand - elevated, contemporary gameday apparel. After finalizing all of the designs, we worked together to create the tech packs and hand them off to the manufacturers to start sourcing the materials for the 1st samples. Through multiple rounds of samples and tweaks, we landed on the final garments to then start the production process.
Q. Why did you decide to work with Emma for the design and development of your collection?
A: After researching and coming across Emma’s portfolio, I was thoroughly impressed by her work with previous clients and her widespread knowledge in the fashion industry. Emma’s warm spirit and open communication made working with her an absolute pleasure. Her guidance throughout the entire process in helping me bring my vision to life was paramount in launching Byeweek.
Q: How did that collaboration shape or influence your ideas and the final outcome?
A: Emma did an exceptional job in translating my vision into thoughtful designs. Everything from the fabrics, color palette, manufacturers, and more were selected with the help of Emma’s insights and recommendations.
Q. Were there any challenges you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
A: The most challenging part is understanding that the process takes much longer than you would think. Certain things are out of your control, and it’s important to recognize that as a founder. Continuing to push through and persevere despite the challenges makes the result that much more rewarding.
Q: How has your audience responded to the collection so far, and what has been the most rewarding part of this experience?
A: The local Seattle market and UW students/alumni have been the most receptive and have garnered the most attention for the brand. Meeting customers face-to-face and seeing their reactions in sharing the love for the collection is the most rewarding experience.
Q. What advice would you give to other aspiring fashion founders who are considering creating their own line?
A: I have always had a deep passion and calling to start my own business, as I’m a strong believer that you should always chase your passions, challenge the status quo, and get comfortable being uncomfortable. If I have the opportunity and vision to build your own brand, go for it and continue to show up through the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Q: Where do you see the future of your brand, and how do you hope to grow it over the next year?
A: I envision the Byeweek brand to grow with the NCAA license, with the designs themselves, and to other universities across the country. I’m excited for the opportunities to come and look forward to partnering with other brands and founders that share my passion for uniting sports and fashion.
If Mia's journey makes you feel inspired to start your own collection, get in touch! We offer a full package service from product ideation to completion with a factory. Click here for more information.
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To shop Mia's first collection click here.
