BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Now that's fashion glory.
When the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, running back Saquon Barkley's mom, Tonya Johnson, affectionately known as Mama B, cheered on the Birds wearing a jacket made by Lara Bly, a Southside Bethlehem designer.
Bly's blinged-out creation, which featured hundreds of shiny sequins, featured the words "Run Son" sewn on the back.
The shop-local creation makes sense.
Johnson lives in Coplay, and her star son once was a player for Whitehall High School's Zephyrs and Penn State's Nittany Lions.
"I wanted this jacket to embody Tonya’s pride in her son while also reflecting the spirit and glamour of the Super Bowl."Fashion designer Lara Bly on designed a piece for Saquon Barkley's mom, Tonya Johnson.
The green, black and white jacket — official colors of the Eagles — also boasts a bedazzled "B" on the back and Barkley's name on one arm.
His Eagles' jersey No. 26 is featured on the front, while on the side is "fly" and an Eagles' icon — representing the Birds' fight song, "Fly, Eagles, Fly."
"I wanted this jacket to embody Tonya’s pride in her son while also reflecting the spirit and glamour of the Super Bowl,” Bly said.
She said her design is “a mix of sophistication, edge and, of course, a whole lot of sparkle."
Help from former congresswoman
Most celebrities at the game sported designs by international-based designers.
Super Bowl halftime performer Kendrick Lamar's jacket was made by British designer Martine Rose, while Kansas City Chief tight end Travis Kelce's boo, Taylor Swift, sported a Saint Laurent white blazer and Laurent thigh-high white boots.
For Mama's B blinged-out piece, it was former U.S. Rep. Susan Wild who helped make the connection between the proud Eagles' mom and Bly.
“When I saw Tonya’s post on social media looking for someone to make a custom jacket for her for the upcoming Super Bowl game, I immediately knew Lara was the one," said Wild, who has also been seen around town sporting Eagles attire.
"Her talent and creativity are unmatched, and I couldn’t think of a better designer to bring Tonya’s vision to life."
As seen on Instagram, Johnson visited Bly's shop, Lara Bly Designs, at 202 E. Third St., to pick up the custom-made threads.
Bly releases her collections twice a year and is known for her sparkling sequin-filled dresses and signature bomber jackets, much like Johnson's "Run Son" version.
On Bly's website, her custom-made dresses retail for $239 to $899.
Her next fashion show is scheduled in May.
A Birthday for Barkley
Indeed, it was a night full of pride for Mama B and Barkley, who also celebrated his 28th birthday Sunday along with Eagles' cornerback Cooper DeJean, who turned 22.
Mom and son are also known locally as altruists — through Barkely's Michael Ann (his grandmother’s name) & Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation, the football star gives resources to help the youth and schools in Whitehall and in the region.
During the big game, held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Barkley, broke former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis' NFL record for rushing yards in a total season (including the playoffs) during the first half.
The 2015 Whitehall High grad also was named NFL's offensive player of the year after he amassed over 2,000 rushing yards in the regular season and shattered the Eagles' single-season rushing record.
