Skechers has added University of Southern California basketball standout Kiki Iriafen to its Skechers Basketball roster, while simultaneously welcoming Misa Rodríguez, goalkeeper for Real Madrid CF and 2023 World Cup champion, to its Skechers Football family.

Iriafen, expected to be a top pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft, will step into her professional career wearing Skechers Basketball footwear. 

Currently averaging 18.6 points and 8.5 rebounds for USC while pursuing a master’s degree at the Marshall School of Business, Iriafen joins fellow WNBA star Rickea Jackson and NBA standouts Joel Embiid, Julius Randle, and others in the Skechers basketball family.

“After two years on the court in the NBA and WNBA, it’s a big moment for Skechers Basketball to sign Kiki, our first college player, and embark on the journey with her as she begins her professional career,” said Michael Greenberg, president of Skechers. 

“Kiki is a rising star with a bright future in the league. We look forward to supporting her from the draft through her first season and beyond. As the second woman on our basketball roster, she also furthers our mission to engage with female athletes around the world so that more players everywhere experience the signature Comfort That Performs of Skechers.”

On the football side, Skechers signed Misa Rodríguez, who will compete in the brand’s high-performance SKX_1.5 Elite boots and appear in upcoming global campaigns.

Rodríguez adds to a stacked football roster that includes global stars like Harry Kane, Mohammed Kudus, and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

“We are very proud to have a player like Misa in the Skechers Football family, who, among many characteristics, stands out for her confidence, leadership, strength, and precision,” said Txerra Díaz, country manager of Skechers. 

“We continue to strengthen our position in the sport with a product of exceptional quality, already recognized for offering a technicality and comfort that allow for better and greater performance on the field.”

Montblanc has opened a new boutique in Chicago at 15 E Oak Street, relocating from its previous Michigan Avenue location. 

The new boutique spans 1,427 square feet and blends modern design with Montblanc’s rich heritage. It houses the full universe of the brand including its signature writing instruments, Swiss-made timepieces, fine leather goods, and accessories.

“Chicago has long been an important city for Montblanc, with a discerning clientele that appreciates the Maison’s dedication to craftsmanship and excellence. With our new boutique on Oak Street, we are offering a space that not only showcases our iconic writing instruments but also our expanding collections in leather goods, watches, and accessories,” said Sylvain Costof, Montblanc president Americas. 

“This move is a testament to our commitment to creating immersive experiences for our customers so they can discover or re-discover the universe of Montblanc in a compelling way.” 

The boutique’s façade is crafted from two black striped concrete slabs featuring the silhouette of the Mont Blanc mountain and Montblanc’s emblem. 

Inside, Montblanc’s signature black-and-white aesthetic is elevated with golden details inspired by the Meisterstück writing instrument and coral touches drawn from the brand’s archive. Other design elements include lamps made from writing paper, calligraphy wallpaper featuring the infinite figure eight, and decorative wall nibs.

A store highlight is the Collectors Wall, where Montblanc’s most sought-after limited-edition writing instruments from collections like Great Characters, Masters of Art, and Writers Editions are displayed. An expanded timepiece collection is also featured. 

For the opening, Montblanc commissioned artwork from Berlin-based contemporary artist Alexander Iskin.

To complete the shopping experience, the boutique offers personalized services such as on-site embossing and engraving.