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How Travis Kelce Left NFL Stylist in Disbelief
© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce is no stranger to making a statement both on and off the field.

But one particular aspect of his off-field life left NFL stylist Tom Marchitelli completely stunned. Kelce’s extensive shoe collection is nothing short of extraordinary, so much so that it’s taken over an entire bedroom in his home.

Marchitelli, a custom suit designer who works with some of the biggest names in professional sports, shared with PEOPLE that he has never seen anything like it, describing Kelce’s bedroom as being "filled with shoes." 

“I’ve never seen anything like it!” Marchitelli recalls. 

Kelce’s passion for sneakers and fashion has undoubtedly influenced Marchitelli’s approach to design.

The self-taught custom suit designer from New Jersey was already styling major athletes across the NFL, NBA and MLB. But in 2017, Marchitelli's career had a greater turn after Kelce made a simple request.

“Can you make me a bomber jacket?,” Kelce asked.

The question not only pushed Marchitelli out of his comfort zone but also led to the rise of bomber jackets becoming a significant part of his work. 

Today, Marchitelli admits he’s creating more bomber jackets than suits, a direct result of Kelce’s fashion influence.

Kelce has often spoken about the growing importance of style in football, noting that the sport is beginning to embrace a more "fashion-forward mentality."

In a 2021 interview with Complex magazine, Kelce explained how game days now feel like a red carpet event, with players building anticipation for those big moments through their outfits. 

“Without a doubt, I think the football world is starting to kind of come around to being that fashion-forward mentality,” Kelce said. 

Kelce, with his room full of shoes, has certainly left a lasting impression on his stylist—and the world of sports fashion.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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