Serena Williams accepts Fashion Icon Award in lava sequin gown

Serena Williams knows how to wow on the red carpet.

That’s just what she did at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards last night at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Williams received the CFDA’s prestigious Fashion Icon Award, an honor previously awarded to the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez and Zendaya. To mark her major milestone, the tennis legend created a custom red carpet look in Thom Browne.

The end result was a figure-hugging gown with a long train, both completely covered in molten black sequins. The piece featured one eye-popping detail: huge, sequined puff sleeves made of shiny black fabric that hugged Williams’ back. She accessorized the look with a white floral necklace, pearl earrings and a red, white and blue ribbon that wrapped around her braid and reached behind the dress’ skirt.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America announced last month that the tennis champion would receive the prestigious award.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself—it gave me the confidence to go out on the court and acknowledge who I am and where I know I’m going,” Williams said in the award announcement. “My dream of owning my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality and throughout my career I have been lucky enough to work with the most established designers and the most exciting emerging creatives. I am excited to learn my own style , and let it change as my life evolves, but I always stick to one thing: fashion is for everyone

, no matter your size, race or income. “I am extremely honored to receive the prestigious Fashion Icon Award from the CFDA, an organization I have long admired for its work, and to join the list of fashion icons I have always respected.”