Serena Williams makes history as first athlete to win CFDA Fashion Icon Award

There’s no denying that Serena Williams can do it all. While defending numerous Grand Slam titles and breaking tennis court records, the athlete also managed to attend fashion school, seeking to enter the field of fashion design and fulfill a long-held passion.

With a degree and a desire to make others “look and feel their best,” Williams launched her first fashion line, S by Serena, in 2018, according to her website. Her schooling and iconic brand have also led to multiple collaborations with Nike. Just a few months ago, she launched the Design Crew collection with the company, which features bright colors and patterns and sporty-chic designs.

Now, with proven independent and collaborative design experience, the icon is set to receive one of the industry’s highest honors. On October 11, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) made a historic announcement that Williams had won the 2023 Fashion Icon Award. This will be the first time an athlete has won the award and is a record-breaking honor for the tennis star to add to your resume.

In a statement posted by the CFDA on Instagram from the new mother of two, Williams credits fashion with boosting her confidence. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself — fashion gave me the confidence to go out on the court, acknowledge who I am and know where I’m going,” she said. This is also the principle she followed when creating her own fashion line – a desire to create fashion for everyone so that everyone can feel confident.

As in her tennis career, Williams sets and exceeds all expectations in her design pursuits. The honor is well-deserved and Williams will receive the award at a ceremony and dinner on November 6 in New York City.

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