Serena Williams is set to receive a prestigious accolade at the upcoming Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards, celebrating her remarkable career and invaluable contributions to American fashion.
Retiring from professional tennis just last year, Serena Williams is making history as the first athlete to be bestowed with the CFDA’s coveted Fashion Icon award. Her recognition extends beyond her groundbreaking tennis career, encompassing her roles as a successful designer, an enterprising entrepreneur, and a dedicated philanthropist.
The fashion industry’s equivalent of the Oscars, the CFDA awards ceremony, will grace the halls of the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan and will be hosted by the talented Anne Hathaway.
At the age of 41, Serena Williams decided to retire from tennis, opting to focus on motherhood. Her journey into motherhood culminated in the birth of her baby girl in August, almost precisely a year after her last tennis match as a sports star. Adira River Ohanian, the second child and daughter of Williams and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, joined their family. Their first daughter, Olympia, arrived in 2017.
Even before her retirement from tennis, Serena Williams was making headlines in the world of fashion. In 2018, she introduced her “S by Serena” clothing line, followed by a jewelry line in 2019. Prior to the awards event, Thom Browne, a renowned designer and the current CFDA chairman, extolled Williams as “one of the most inspiring people in the world” and a symbol of greatness at its pinnacle. He emphasized her unique individuality in all her pursuits and hailed her as “a true fashion icon.”
In her own words, Serena Williams shared, “Ever since I was a young girl, I’ve used fashion as a means to express myself. Fashion empowered me with the confidence to step onto the court and embrace my true self, knowing my direction.” She continued, saying, “My dream of establishing my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exploring my style and allowing it to evolve in tandem with my life. Yet, one principle remains constant: Fashion is an all-encompassing realm, accessible to all, regardless of size, race, or income.”
The CFDA awards are presented by Amazon Fashion, underscoring the organization’s commitment to recognizing excellence in the fashion industry.
Notably, last year, Kim Kardashian was lauded for her shapewear line at the CFDA awards and used the platform to advocate for inclusivity in fashion, urging designers to embrace all body shapes.