Serena Williams is once again making headlines. At the 2023 CFDA Awards held on Monday, the renowned tennis champion will achieve a groundbreaking milestone as the inaugural athlete to receive the esteemed Fashion Icon accolade.
Williams's affinity for fashion is well-documented, transcending her athletic prowess. In between dominating Grand Slam tournaments, she pursued formal education in fashion at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale from 2000 to 2003. This background laid the foundation for her venture into fashion design, resulting in the establishment of her brands, Aneres and later, S by Serena.
As an athlete, Williams shattered the boundaries of traditional sportswear, opting for vibrant colors and distinctive silhouettes over the conventional tennis whites. Her wardrobe not only reflected her personality but also challenged the norms of conventional attire. Her influence extends beyond the realm of sports, propelling her onto runways, red carpets, magazine covers, and even co-hosting duties at the 2019 Met Gala. Moreover, she has engaged in direct collaborations with renowned designers, notably teaming up with Nike and Off-White in 2018, with the late Virgil Abloh curating her Grand Slam ensembles and Met Gala footwear.
As she receives this prestigious recognition, Williams joins an illustrious roster of fashion luminaries such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Zendaya, Rihanna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pharrell Williams, and Jennifer Lopez. Below, explore some of Serena Williams's most iconic fashion moments, both on and off the court.
Williams wore a matching white and blue skirt set to play a match in 1992. Ken Levine
