Sofa Sessions with Tijani Reijinders
Oct 07, 2025
Fashion and football have always shared a quiet connection - moments of expression, confidence, and culture that stretch far beyond the ninety minutes. It’s this crossover that inspired Sofa Sessions, a new series by The Couture Club where we sit down with friends of the brand to talk about what style really means to them. No scripts, no filters—just real conversation.
For our first episode, we invited Tijani Reijnders, Manchester City’s midfield maestro, to take a seat. Known for his calm control on the pitch and considered approach off it, Tijani is part of a new wave redefining what modern athletes represent. Footballers today are not just players - they’re creative forces shaping culture, fashion, and identity.
From the moment Tijani walked in, there was an easy charm. Dressed casually yet effortlessly stylish, he immediately set the tone for a relaxed conversation. As the cameras rolled, he greeted the team with a smile, joked about the coffee order being “very important for focus,” and even paused mid-laugh to adjust his sneakers - small gestures that spoke volumes about his personality and attention to detail.
First pair of sneakers you remember?
“The first sneakers I saw in a store and remember buying them was the Jordan 11’s.”
Who’s the best dressed player in the dressing room?
“Ruben, Ruben Dias. He has a good sense for fashion.”
Even within the competitive, high-energy environment of professional football, Tijani notices the details. His admiration for teammates’ style speaks to the subtle ways players influence each other beyond the pitch.
Who is your biggest influence within fashion?
“Most of the items I buy, I discuss with my wife. We both help each other with fashion.”
Henry: “So you should listen to your wife then?”
Tijani: “Erm not with everything yeah haha.”
There’s a playful honesty here that makes Tijani instantly relatable. Even in fashion, he mixes thoughtfulness with a touch of humor.
Favourite thing about Manchester?
“The weather, of course.”
Tijani laughed at his own answer, joking about how Manchester’s rain “keeps your wardrobe choices practical.”
What’s the most important item in your wardrobe?
“Like for me, especially in Manchester it’s a winter jacket. Most of the time when I’m dressing, I think first about the sneakers I’m going to wear, so I would say sneakers.”
It’s a philosophy mirrored by many modern athletes: style starts from the ground up. The shoes set the tone, and everything else follows.
Have different cities influenced your fashion?
“Yeah, it helped of course that I was in the fashion capital, Milan. That influenced me a lot, but yeah, through the years I’ve got my own style.”
The international experience has shaped him, but Tijani’s style remains distinctly personal - an amalgamation of what he’s learned, what he loves, and who he is. He gestured toward the pink outfit from the day, joking that Milan would have approved—but only if paired with the right sneakers.
Favourite outfit from the day?
“I’m going to be honest yeah, the pink outfit, I swear haha. It looked good, I looked good.”
By the end of the shoot, it was clear that style for Tijani isn’t about impressing others; it’s about expressing himself. Whether it’s a bold pink ensemble or a classic pair of Jordans, he wears each choice with confidence and authenticity.
Sofa Sessions is about capturing unfiltered moments. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be sharing more conversations with those shaping fashion and culture today, one sofa at a time.
