Serena Williams will receive the Fashion Icon award at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards presented by Amazon Fashion.
The awards ceremony and gala dinner will take place at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on Nov. 6.
The 42-year-old tennis champion is the first athlete to receive the award, which has been given to such people as Lenny Kravitz, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Franca Sozzani, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and Rihanna.
Regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Williams was ranked world number one in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association for 319 weeks. She has won 23 Grand Slam women’s singles titles, the most in the Open Era, and the second most of all time.
Williams, who retired from her professional tennis career last year, is also an entrepreneur, philanthropist, designer, wife and mother of two daughters.
Serena Williams at the 2022 U.S. Open.
Getty Images
While winning Grand Slam tournaments, Williams attended fashion school, and in 2018 launched her own clothing line, S by Serena. In 2019 she introduced her eponymous jewelry line inspired by strong confident women. Several years ago Williams also started Serena Ventures, a venture capital firm. She is married to Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian.
Williams has been a trailblazer on the tennis court with her aggressive playing style and her standout, brightly colored tennis outfits, including tutus, catsuits and neon skirts.
“Serena is one of the most inspiring people in the world…a true individual…she is an icon of the sports world…representing greatness on the highest level…bringing fashion to another world…for another audience…always staying true to herself, both on and off the court…a perfect combination of our worlds…the ultimate example of individuality in everything she does.…Serena is a true fashion icon,” said Thom Browne, chairman of the CFDA.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself — fashion gave me the confidence to step on the court and own who I was, and where I knew I was going,” Williams said. “My dream of owning my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality and throughout my career, I have been blessed to collaborate with the most established designers and the most exciting up-and-coming creatives. I have had so much fun learning my style and allowing it to change as my life has evolved, but I’ve always held one thing true — fashion is for everyone, no matter your size, race or income. I am incredibly honored to be receiving the prestigious Fashion Icon Award from the CFDA, an organization whose work I have long admired and to stand among style icons I have always looked up to.”
Hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker, the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards will be given for designer of the year in womenswear, menswear and accessories, and the Shop With Google Emerging Designer, whose winners will revealed that night.
Special awards to be given out that night include the board of directors tribute award to Vera Wang in recognition of her impact on the bridal industry; the Founder’s Award in honor of Eleanor Lambert to Domenico De Sole; the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award to Maria Cornejo; the Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard to Alina Cho; the Environmental Sustainability Award to Mara Hoffman, and the International Designer of the Year Award to Jonathan Anderson for JW Anderson and Loewe, as reported.
