The Queen of the Court Rules the Runway
On Monday night, all eyes were on tennis legend Serena Williams as she made history yet again – this time on the red carpet at the 2023 CFDA Awards. The superstar athlete and fashion icon dazzled in a custom gown by Virgil Abloh for Off-White as she became the first athlete to ever receive the prestigious Fashion Icon Award.
For over two decades, Williams has enchanted us both on and off the court with her groundbreaking style and sartorial prowess. Whether she’s sporting her signature tennis attire or turning heads on the red carpet, Williams’ fashion sense has always complemented her fierce competitive spirit.
“I’ve always seen fashion as an opportunity to express my personality and embrace my individuality,” Williams told Harper’s Bazaar. “I love playing with colors, textures, and silhouettes to make bold statements and showcase different sides of myself.”
Indeed, Williams’ athletic apparel consistently pushed boundaries and challenged tradition. She entered tennis arenas like a warrior queen cloaked in vibrant, eye-catching activewear more suitable for an avant-garde fashion show than center court.
“I wanted to bring more creativity and fun to my on-court looks,” she explained. “The designs motivated and inspired me while allowing me to fully focus on my game.”
Off the court, Williams’ style evolved from casual early 2000s flare to ultra glamorous goddess, dazzling at A-list events in show-stopping gowns by luxury designers like Versace, Valentino, and Gucci. She’s even attended the prestigious Met Gala multiple times, co-hosting fashion’s biggest night out in 2019.
Yet despite her stratospheric success and fame, Williams remains dedicated to making fashion accessible and inclusive. She’s launched multiple collaborations with HSN, Nike, and her own brands – S by Serena and Aneres – offering stylish athletic and casual wear for women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.
“One of my biggest goals has always been to expand the narrow perceptions around beauty and help empower all women to embrace their bodies and feel confident,” Williams noted.
As she stepped on stage to accept her groundbreaking CFDA Award, Williams once again inspired women everywhere to boldly be themselves. Her words were as eloquent and impactful as her iconic style.
“Believe in the power of your dreams,” she urged the star-studded audience. “Stay true to who you are, and don’t be afraid to stand out.”
After over two decades of standing out while reaching the pinnacle of tennis glory, Williams is undoubtedly a trailblazing fashion icon who’s earned her place in the spotlight. We can’t wait to see what stunning looks she’ll rock next as she continues breaking molds, uplifting women, and ruling runway and tennis court alike with power and grace.
