TKO is a women’s and girl’s athletic apparel organization founded by Lanier Middle School students Taylor Kate and Olivia Kate, with the goal to bring more attention to women’s sports. Both girls play locally for North Gwinnett Senior Select and hatched the idea after noticing a lack of vendors at their lacrosse tournaments. They were frustrated because the men’s selections were so vast compared to what they saw for the women. That was June 2023 and by October the girls already had their first event.
“We were playing lacrosse at a tournament in Panama City Beach,” the girls say. “At the tournament, there was only one vendor. We saw this was significantly different when we went to tournaments where boys were playing. The options available to the boys far outweighed what we had access to. Oftentimes we had to also settle for unisex styles. As a result of our frustration, we formed TKO. We aim to design and select fun, fashion-forward athleisure for girls, teens and women.”
In addition, the brand also promotes sportsmanship, body positivity, and overall confidence.
The name TKO is a play on both the girls’ names, but also hits on the general term “total knockout.” “We want girls, teens and women to feel beauty in their muscles, head space, strength, and courage to play sports,” the girls say. “It’s really about creating a culture of inclusivity among women in sports.”
To learn more about TKO or to make a purchase, visit tko-usa.square.site.
