Former student-athlete Sydney Coffey ’16 is not just a talented basketball player; she is a visionary entrepreneur who has carved out a unique space for herself in the world of fashion. As the founder of Morlé - meaning “more legs” - a clothing brand tailored exclusively for tall women, Coffey has seamlessly blended her passion for sports with her love for fashion, creating a unique brand that resonates with both female athletes and fashion enthusiasts.
“I turned my dreams into reality,” said Coffey. “With Morlé I want to revolutionize the fashion industry by advocating for tall women. Together we can reshape beauty standards and provide an unmatched experience of style and empowerment."
Growing up in Hopkins, Minnesota, Coffey was immersed in basketball from an early age. Her father, Richard Coffey, played in the NBA (National Basketball Association), setting the stage for Sydney’s athletic career. She excelled on the court, leading her high school team to three state championships, and earning a scholarship to play DI basketball at Marist College.
While at Marist, Coffey succeeded as a dedicated fashion merchandising major, balancing the demands of being a student-athlete while pursuing her love for fashion. She studied communications with a focus on fashion design, laying the groundwork for her future as an entrepreneur.
After college, Coffey took her athletic talents overseas to play professionally, where she continued to scout the intersection of sports and fashion, noticing a specific target market – tall women like her – that was not being explored. It was during these overseas adventures in 2020 that Morlé was officially born.
“I was traveling the world hearing the same stories over and over again from women my height and taller, stories about how difficult it is to find clothing we can feel good about,” said Coffey. “Now, Morlé creates a space for women to embrace their height and find a sense of community, too.”
Coffey and the brand have quickly gained traction, thanks to its innovative designs. Coffey’s visions further materialized this spring when Morlé debuted at the Women’s Final Four Tip-Off Fashion Show in Cleveland, Ohio. Dedicated to tall women and athletes, the event provided Coffey with a unique networking opportunity where she was surrounded by female athletes and spoke directly with the customers she hopes to serve.
“Having my first fashion show at the Final Four was incredibly meaningful,” she said. “I met so many women who didn’t know this type of fashion existed before that day. Now, they know Morlé is one of the brands that can provide them with the clothing they’re looking for.”
According to Marist Women’s Basketball Coach Erin Doughty ’06 ’08M, Coffey is redefining what it means to be a business owner in the world of fashion. “Her journey from student-athlete to successful entrepreneur is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in her potential,” said Doughty. “She saw a need in the fashion industry and decided to create a brand that focused on stylish clothing for tall women like herself. I am not surprised at all by the quick growth of her company, and I know it will continue to thrive under her leadership.”
Now enrolled in graduate school in London, England, Diana Kazarian ’24 represents Marist’s 95% success rate for new alumni.
Spring in Poughkeepsie. Summer in Venice. Fall in London.
It’s only been a few short months since her emotional Commencement in May, but Diana Kazarian ’24 has already been pursuing new artistic heights, bringing her creative vision and curatorial talents to life on the world stage and defining success on her own terms.
“Finishing one chapter is always emotional,” she said. “But you can’t grow by
staying in one place. I knew there was so much ahead—Venice and London were calling.”
Now equipped with her bachelor’s degree, Diana admits that her Marist experience was both a fundamental part of her artistic development, as well as a huge shift from her life in Krasnodar, a city in the south of Russia, where she was born.
“My time at Marist was multifaceted and diverse,” Diana said. “It was a huge change from my previous life, but it was exactly what I needed.”
While at Marist, Diana grew both academically and creatively, jumping on each new opportunity that came her way.
In 2023, she became the first student to curate the annual faculty exhibition, despite having no prior curatorial experience.
“Like a sculptor faced with a new medium, she embraced the challenge and learned to navigate the complexities of curation and interpersonal dynamics with finesse,” said Professor Ed Smith, who taught Dianna’s 3D design course.
But her unique experiences continued, and within a few short weeks of earning her degree, Diana, along with 16 Marist students, flew to Venice, Italy, as part of the Marist Venice Biennale Program. This experiential learning opportunity allowed her and her fellow Marist students to integrate complex art elements and perspectives at one of the most prestigious cultural events in the world.
For Diana, her role as spectator at the Biennale continued to build momentum for the curatorial prowess she developed as a student at Marist and highlighted her emerging role as a transformative force in the art world.
Smith describes her evolution with admiration. “Every piece she has created was deeply thought out and bordering on genius. The more she worked, the more formidable she became,” he said.
A leader among her peers, Diana often sought out Ed’s advice, leaning into his role as mentor and eventually expressing her desire to pursue art in graduate school.
“I encouraged her to aim for the best,” he said. Together, they spent weeks shaping her proposal for the Royal College of Art, a prestigious arts and design college located in London, England.
Smith was not at all surprised when Diana was accepted. “She’s a rare talent. Her commitment to her craft, her vision—it’s all singular and brilliant.”
Now, as Diana pursues her curatorial studies in London, she joins the 95% of Marist Alumni who are employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation. She’s fresh on the heels of earning her degree and focused on exploring and refining her unique artistic voice.
Reflecting on her early experiences, Diana is determined to continue shaping the art world with every project and exhibit she undertakes.
“I don’t believe in limiting myself with a single definition of success. To define is to limit,”
she said. “Ed always taught us that it’s the small steps, the ongoing dialogue between opportunities and what we as artists can give back, that matters most.”
