Tennis icon Serena Williams used the tennis court as her runway as she growing up in the spotlight, explaining to an opulent gathering of the fashion business how clothing became a preferred means of expression.
“I investigated style and fashion as a way to differentiate myself as a little girl because I knew I was different,” Williams said, accepting the Society of the Fashion Designers of America’s Fashion Icon award on Monday night. “The U.S. Open served as my personal New York Fashion Week, and the tennis courts served as my runway in many ways.” She claimed that reinventing the classic tennis attire became a means of expressing “my individuality, my confidence, and perhaps most importantly, my culture.”
Kim Kardashian, who was a CFDA recipient last year, gave Williams the coveted Fashion Icon award, making her the first athlete to earn it. Williams withdrew from tennis last year. Williams was described by Kardashian as “the greatest of all time—fearless, heroic, authentic, and iconic.”
Held at the United States Museum of Nature and Science in Manhattan, the fashion industry’s version of Oscar night was emceed by Anne Hathaway. Willy Chavarria took home the clothing design of the year honor, while Catherine Kiel of the Khaite label took home the womenswear title. Ashley and Mary-Kate Olson of the clothing line The Row won the accessory category.
Among other accolades, Gwyneth Paltrow received the Innovation award from Demi Moore for her 15-year-old lifestyle brand, goop. The CFDA the surface of of directors honored Vera Wang with a tribute by Vanessa Hudgens for her contributions to the bridal business. Laura Linney gave a lifetime accomplishment award to Maria Cornejo, the designer.
Additionally, the celebration to the 50th the anniversary of hip-hop featured a short video directed by Hype Williams, music by Pharrell, and an introduction by Mary J. Blige.
Williams, 42, stated she had to make the difficult decision to concentrate on parenting when she decided to retire from tennis. August saw her give birth to a daughter, nearly precisely one year after her final match as a professional tennis player.
