By Samantha Mocle

Fashion Media and Merchandising students consulted for international apparel giant PUMA, presenting their findings and business recommendations to members of the PUMA Women’s Hoops (PWH) team last spring at the company’s U.S. headquarters.

PWH challenged the Lasell students to research an enhanced brand ethos, create brand assets and build narratives and promotions, develop a line of 15+ pieces to show how fashion connects the women’s basketball consumer, and create social media content that allows consumers to “play” with the brand. PWH Senior Product Line Manager Katie Stopera ’16, a former Lasell basketball player andw current assistant coach, liaised between the students and brand throughout the project.

“The students’ viewpoints were invaluable,” says Stopera. “Their in-depth research and critical thinking tackled a very complicated business.”

The students’ suggestions have already been incorporated into planning for PUMA Hoops’ Spring/Summer 2025 range, she says, noting that her team walked away from their presentation “feeling inspired on the future of women’s basketball and its limitless potential.”

More than a dozen Lasell alumni work at PUMA, many of whom attended the student presentation in support of their fellow Lasers.