Serena Williams received the 2023 CFDA Fashion Icon Award from reality TV star and fashion mogul Kim Kardashian.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has named tennis star Serena Williams as a fashion icon, making her the first athlete to receive this prestigious award. The organization presented Ms. Williams with the honor on Monday at a ceremony held in New York, as reported by the BBC. Previous recipients of the award include renowned artists such as Beyonce, Zendaya, and Rihanna.
The event took place at the American Museum of Natural History, where Ms. Williams graced the occasion in a black sequined dress designed by CFDA Chairman Thom Browne. She was bestowed with the 2023 CFDA Fashion Icon Award by Kim Kardashian.
Sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter), Mr. Browne extended his congratulations to Ms. Williams, describing her as "a true icon." He also detailed her attire for the event, mentioning a custom corset gown adorned with black sequins and a black satin stole, backed with liquid organza and hand-embroidered with pearls.
During her acceptance speech, the tennis legend expressed her passion for fashion and its significance on the tennis court. "I explored fashion and style as a way to distinguish myself. In many ways for me, the tennis courts became my runway," Ms. Williams remarked at the event. She reminisced about her unconventional fashion choices during her tennis career, including denim skirts, purple tutus, bodysuits, and braids, describing it as a fun time for her.
It's worth noting that Ms. Williams pursued studies in fashion during her active playing career. In 2018, she launched her own clothing line, S by Serena. Describing her clothing line, she emphasized its representation of women from all walks of life, including mothers, daughters, sisters, businesswomen, entrepreneurs, outsiders, underdogs, dreamers, and women of color.
While Serena officially retired from professional tennis in 2022, she stated, "I am not retired," and hinted at the possibility of a return, referring to her departure from tennis as "evolving away from tennis" in a Vogue magazine article.