Kristin Juszczyk: Art for Charity

2/29/2024

Kyle Juszczyk makes noise and draws attention as the league's most celebrated fullback on the field. Off the field, however, his wife, Kristin Juszczyk is making waves in philanthropy. Taylor Swift, Simone Biles, Olivia Culpo, and Kristin Juszczyk have all been seen cheering on their NFL partners in chic and fashionable clothing pieces totally above the simple store issued NFL jerseys. 

Kristin Juszczyk’s brand, Designs by Kristin, stemmed from simple beginnings. It began when in preparation for the Halloween season, Kristin collaged together various pieces of upcycled NFL apparel to support her husband in style. What started as a hobby turned to a passion, and eventually to a NFL-backed and A-list celebrity-endorsed business.

As Taylor Swift entered the NFL spotlight by dating tight end Travis Kelce, she bought pieces from Kristin to wear to Arrowhead Stadium. Since then her Instagram account gained over 400,000 followers and demand skyrocketed. She credits Swift with “catapulting” her career. 

Her work attracted so much positive attention that the NFL granted her licensing rights to use their logos and trademarks on her creations. She nobly immediately used this newfound platform for service. She announced on her Instagram, “Auction will be live starting at 12pm ET tomorrow through Saturday at 11:59pm ET. All proceeds will be donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. @nbcf Link in bio for more details! I’m so excited!!! Ahhhhhh,” she wrote on Thursday.” The main piece of the auction is a one of a kind, superbowl 58 puffer vest. The highest bid has surpassed $50,000.

Juszczyk’s mother passed away from breast cancer which prompted her choice of charity. The National Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in San Francisco by a breast cancer surviving mother in 1991. The organization covers the cost of breast cancer treatment. It intends to educate, facilitate, assist, and provide screenings for those suffering across all 50 states. 

Her work ethic aligns with the success she is seeing. According to her husband Kyle, Kristin spends an average of 20 hours hand-making each piece of clothing. He noted his shock to see her at 3 or 4 in the morning, working away at clothes on multiple occasions. Kristin is completely self-taught. She mentioned often being asked if she has a degree in fashion. She however impressively acquired her skills by watching YouTube and spending “countless nights crocheting with my grandma while watching Wheel of Fortune.”

Kristen attended the University of Rhode Island to become a realtor. She then met Kyle after transferring to Towson University in Baltimore while he was playing for the Ravens. She moved with Kyle to San Francisco when he signed with the 49ers. There she decided to give up real estate and pursue her own entrepreneurial endeavors. She began her clothing company with the name “Origin” which evolved into “Designs by Kristin.” Many of her top clientele today are NFL wives and girlfriends and most are big-name celebrities. Now Kristen seems to be rising to their heights as she is being contacted by Vouge and a barrage of other fashion brands. Kyle exclaimed, “I'm so stoked for her… I just know how hard she grinded." 

As many players and people in the NFL space and community put their earnings towards charity throughout history, it created a giving culture in the league. Kristin Juszczyk nobly chose to contribute further to said culture, despite experiencing tremendous personal success and acclaim. Football is a sport of opportunities and those who take advantage of them are the ones who often succeed. This giving quality as seen in Designs by Kristen extends further to all people that live around the game. 

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Works Cited

Aizin, Rebecca. “Who Is Kyle Juszczyk’s Wife, Kristin Juszczyk? Meet the Designer of Taylor Swift’s Viral “Kelce” Jacket.” Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024, people.com/who-is-kristin-juszczyk-kyle-juszczyk-wife-8426959.

“Designs by Kristin | About.” Designsbykristin.com, 2024, about.designsbykristin.com/.

KTVU FOX 2. “49er Fullback Kyle Juszczyk “Stoked” for His Fashion Designer Wife.” KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco, KTVU FOX 2, 17 Jan. 2024, www.ktvu.com/news/49er-fullback-kyle-juszczyk-stoked-for-his-fashion-designer-wife.

Miles, J. D. “Frisco-Based Non-Profit to Receive Proceeds from Kristin Juszczyk Super Bowl Puffer Vests - CBS Texas.” Www.cbsnews.com, 10 Feb. 2024, www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/frisco-based-non-profit-to-receive-proceeds-from-kristin-juszczyk-super-bowl-puffer-vests/.

Miller, Korin. “Kristin Juszczyk’s New NFL Clothing Line Has Raised over $30,000 for Breast Cancer.” Women’s Health, 9 Feb. 2024, www.womenshealthmag.com/style/a46696834/kristin-juszczyk-nfl-clothing-line/.

Wagoner, Nick. “From Taylor Swift to Taylor Lautner, Kristin Juszczyk’s Designs Have Rocked the NFL Playoffs.” ESPN.com, 20 Jan. 2024, www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39346335/kristin-kyle-juszczyk-viral-nfl-jackets-taylor-swift.