Words Felicia Pennant
Photographer Charlie Gates
Creative direction ALIGNE and SEASON zine Studio

Lucy wears the LB Arrow Jersey Shirt and Genevieve Pleated Wide Leg Trouser

The Easter eggs that Lucy Bronze MBE has been casually dropping recently, secretly wearing pieces from Lucy Bronze x ALIGNE collection 001, have now been revealed with the launch of the 17-piece capsule for Autumn Winter 2025. The Chelsea and England defender wore the cropped Benjy cardigan on BBC1’s The One Show on 28 August. “It’s something that I wouldn't have worn in the past because I wasn't confident enough. It doesn't feel really girly but it has a feminine touch to it,” she says. The Cole shacket that she wore while attending the Blues’ final pre-season friendly against AC Milan on 30 August will join her dog walk rotation. “I wore the black [Frank] leather T-shirt last night with blue wash loose-fitted jeans, some trainers, and it was a perfect fit for going to a Coldplay concert,” the 33-year-old adds, admitting that she’s wearing the Zita jeans as we speak over Zoom, with her West Highland terrier Narla beside her on the sofa.

Half-English, half-Portuguese, and born in Northumberland, Bronze played football with the local boys team Alnwick Town Juniors until she was 12. Coaches recognised her potential as she rose through the youth ranks at Blyth Town and Sunderland. After heading to the University of North Carolina to play for the Tar Heels, she became the first British player to win the national collegiate championship in 2009. Back in Europe, Bronze made her mark at Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Lyon, and Barcelona, before returning to England last year to join Chelsea. The serial winner’s trophy haul is ridiculous and spread out among her family: two European Championships with England, five Champions League titles, and an invincible Barclays WSL, League Cup, and FA Cup treble last season for starters. “My mum has my Champions League medals, and when my niece and nephew race in the house, whoever wins gets one. That’s their toys,” she shares. “My brothers got match shirts from all of my finals framed in his home office.”

At the Barclays WSL 2025-26 season opener, Chelsea vs Manchester City, aka the Lucy Bronze derby, Bronze wore the pinstripe Aubrey trousers as she held aloft the Women’s Euro 2025 trophy that the Lionesses secured over the summer pitchside at Stamford Bridge. That rip-roaring final win on penalties against Spain is the latest triumph in her objectively exceptional career. “My family has a song, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going by Billy Ocean, that we used to sing in the car because my mum’s maiden name and my middle name is Tough. I’ve always been self-sufficient and independent,” she says, playing down the iconic moment in the quarter-final against Sweden when she strapped up her leg (later revealed to be fractured) and went on to score, which captured the imagination of many and sparked viral memes.

“I have a really special fan base and I don’t know if it’s increased from the tournament, possibly. It’s amazing that people find a connection with you as a player.”

— Lucy Bronze

The contemporary British fashion brand ALIGNE was among the first to acknowledge that Bronze’s inspiring leadership, strength and resilience transcend sport, making her a brand ambassador and the face of it’s spring summer 2024 collection. “I still wear the black pinstripe trousers to this day and it was the first time that I put on trousers and felt like they actually fit me,” she says. Besides genuinely loving the clothes and wearing them religiously on the red carpet, Bronze is impressed by how purpose-driven and proactive the female-led brand is, reflecting CEO Ginny Seymour’s determination to challenge the longstanding gender balance at the intersection of sport and fashion by amplifying female athletes. “It’s not all talk – [ALIGNE] were trying to help girls with awards outfits before women’s football was massive and helped the Welsh women’s national team at [this year’s] Euros,” Bronze notes, pointing out that the ALIGNE team also made her dog Narla a monogrammed jumper. “They donate job interview clothes to women’s shelters because they genuinely care.”

Co-creating an elevated fashion range with ALIGNE as a creative partner in a year-long collaboration is another first for Bronze and a groundbreaking moment for (English) female footballers. “[ALIGNE] wants to make women feel good about themselves and I’ve felt that way in football and sport – making it inclusive, empowering women, having people find a place. It felt like a match made in heaven,” she affirms. Entering unknown territory, the footballer was involved in every step of putting the capsule together and used her transferable skills to create versatile smart-casual pieces that she’s very proud of. Launching off the back of another Lionesses’ Euros win, with more drops ahead, is impeccable timing that ALIGNE and Bronze couldn’t have planned if they’d tried. “The first process was drawings and it’s similar to football because football is in shapes and triangles,” she explains.

“I loved drawing when I was younger as well. I started to shy away from it when I was a teenager and got more into sport. I was scared to be creative.”

— Lucy Bronze

Bronze arrived at the Lucy Bronze x ALIGNE campaign shoot early, fresh off the London Underground, with a very inquisitive Narla in tow. With coffees, pastries and salads fuelling activity, the mood was easy and chilled as the Kate bomber jacket, Alba leather shirt, and more – the pieces that best embody Bronze’s boss-like moves and growing CEO-energy – were heroed on set. “Normally, you wear sponsors or the clothes you’re given, whereas these were my ideas and what I like. It was the first time I saw my full collection in person, and to see the stylist style it felt like my vision was coming to life,” she recalls. “There’s nervousness that comes with wanting to make sure it’s right and that people like what I've put out, especially because I've probably not been the person associated with fashion. I feel a responsibility to make sure that [the industry] is more inclusive and open, and it's not just the people that they expect.”

Everything about the AW25 collection and ‘90s-imbued campaign exceeds expectations. No longer intimidated by fashion, Bronze has ensured that collection 001 has eye-catching pieces that she feels meet her preferences, and therefore everyone can wear every day – hence the lack of skirts and dresses. “I had the most input in the pinstripe Bronte and Aubrey pieces and I requested the brown jeans and leather T-shirt. It might show a level of sophistication that people don't see in me because I am a bit goofy sometimes. I do talk about the changes that I make on boards, but no one ever sees that,” she says. The long list of the footballer’s off-pitch priorities includes advocating for players’ rights on the PFA Players’ Board and FIFPRO Global Player Council, aiding refugees, donating to the GB deaf football team, co-founding a scholarship for aspiring female footballers, and sending equipment to the St Lucia women’s team with the footballer, youth charity CEO, and SEASON zine OG Eartha Pond.

Bronze agrees that there’s synergy between the way she plays and her ALIGNE collaboration. “I always want to be a reliable footballer, and no matter how or when you wear the collection, it’s a solid performance,” she explains. “But every so often there’s a magical moment, a goal, and that’s adding the pop of colour or a more unique piece.” She describes her own style as “minimal” and Scandi-influenced, and playing for Lyon (2017-2020) was pivotal in her fashion journey. She saw how teammates from Martinique, Canada, and Japan put their own spin on clothes and met SEASON zine issue 10 coverstar Shanice van de Sanden there – the Dutch forward is now a close friend and probably her biggest sartorial cheerleader. “She experiments with fashion and was the first person who was like, ‘Lucy, you can wear different things, trust me.’ She used to help me pick different things that I would never have done myself.” Indeed, Bronze’s current fashion goal is to push herself more.

With women’s football hitting the mainstream, players are finding their feet in fashion more decisively. From starring in magazine editorials and club campaigns to securing lucrative brand deals, their social media channels offer a window into their wardrobes as they document their taste in real time. “This collection has allowed me to be the older person without it being a negative thing,” Bronze stresses, outlining how she, her sister, mum, auntie and sister-in-law get away with wearing each other's clothes. “I'm a woman in her thirties who wants to dress nicely and the collection allows me to do that away from football, where I dress like a teenager and wear a tracksuit every day.” Fashion is a topic of conversation in the Chelsea dressing room and players get a heads-up when the camerawoman is waiting to shoot their fits outside of training. “I've shown pieces to some of the girls and they’re like, ‘I'd wear it with this,’ which I wouldn't do, but it fits their style.”

“I don’t have skinny legs, I have muscly arms, and these clothes look good on me. That will resonate with so many female athletes. I hope that they feel comfortable, smart, sexy, whatever they want when wearing the collection.”

— Lucy Bronze

All of the Lucy Bronze x ALIGNE collection 001 trousers have drawstring waistbands at the footballer’s request, and help with her stimming. Since bravely opening up about her autism and ADHD superpowers in March, Bronze now works with the National Autistic Society (NAS). “I'm always messing about with my hair. Everyone always used to think it was because I wasn't concentrating, but it's actually the thing that makes me concentrate. I can mess about with the trousers drawstrings without putting my hands in my hair,” Bronze explains. “Sometimes I wear a weighted hoodie, which helps me stay calm. I'm not sure if it's the autism or ADHD, but the leather T-shirt gives me the same sensation of feeling secure.”

As you might have guessed, the royal blue version of the Ada hat in an upcoming Lucy Bronze x ALIGNE drop represents Bronze’s current club. “It's an iconic thing for football supporters to wear hats to games in the autumn and winter, so I asked if we could make a Chelsea blue one, just to have that link back to football and what I'm doing in London,” she confirms. During her downtime, the footballer is tasting her way through the capital’s deliciously diverse cuisines: Indian, Chinese, Caribbean, Spanish, Greek, and Mexican. “I’m a bit of a foodie and [my signature dish to cook is] fish with tons of tomatoes and salad. I’m obsessed with olive oil and mint sauce is my favourite condiment but I like to make it myself. When I was in Manchester, my nan in the northeast cut mint from her garden, soaked a paper towel, folded it up, put it in a Ziploc bag and posted it to me so I could grow mint in my garden.”

It’s business as usual for Bronze as she gears up for another successful season, though she’s sidelined through injury for now. Surely now the dynamic defender has achieved legend or even GOAT status? “If someone described me as a legend, I’d see that as a sign of respect. Someone who’s had longevity at the highest level, but I can still accumulate more,” she replies. “I don’t think I’m a GOAT and I’d be embarrassed to be described as that.” Although a 2025 Ballon d'Or Féminin win later this month (wearing ALIGNE naturally) might force the issue. Bronze does concede that she’s very Scorpio from what she knows – loyal, determined, passionate, etc, if you believe that sort of thing. “I always said that I love arguing, but I really love pushing boundaries. Pushing for more doesn't have to mean money; it could be more time or care,” she concludes. “If there’s a possibility, let‘s just get that extra centimetre for everybody.”
@lucybronze @aligne

Lucy wears the LB Bronte Pinstripe Shirt and LB Aubrey Pinstripe Trouser

Credits
Stylist Molly Haylor
Hair and Make-up Lindsey Poole
Photographer 1st assistant Jed Barnes
Photographer 2nd assistant Grace Tasselli
Digi Damien Flack
Production SEASON zine Studio
Design Rosie Leggett

SEASON zine digital cover: Lucy Bronze, Lionesses legend, on collaborating with ALIGNE and empowering women through fashion