Serena Williams Named Fashion Icon At 2023 CFDA Awards

Serena Williams graciously accepted the Fashion Icon honor on Monday night (Nov. 6) during the 2023 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Awards, presented by Amazon Fashion.

Taking place at the American Museum of Natural History, the star-studded affair recognizes the industry’s leading voices. CFDA Chairman Thom Browne welcomed honorees, nominees, and guests with opening remarks at the start of the ceremony, hosted by actress Anne Hathaway.

According to the Associated Press, the world-renowned athlete was presented her historic recognition by Kim Kardashian, who hailed Williams as “fearless, heroic, authentic, iconic — the greatest of all time.”

In accepting the Fashion Icon Award, Williams became the first athlete to receive the honor. Previous recipients of the award include Rihanna, Beyoncé, Lenny Kravitz, and Zendaya.

“I knew when I was a little girl that I was different, so I explored fashion and style as a way to distinguish myself,” shared the mother of two in her speech. “In many ways for me, the tennis courts became my runway, and the U.S. Open was my own New York Fashion Week,” continuing to detail her playing field as a place to express “my individuality and my confidence and most importantly, my culture.”

In celebration of Hip-Hop 50, the 2023 CFDA Awards also featured a tribute to the genre with a short film by director Hype Williams, introduced by Mary J. Blige, and with music by Pharrell.  The visual featured Missy Elliott, LL Cool J, June Ambrose, Biz Markie, and Salt-N-Pepa.

Attendees included LaKeith Stanfield, Saweetie, Lil Yachty, Ayesha Curry, Teyana Taylor, Westside Gunn, and more. Take a look at the effortlessly stylish red carpet photos and the full winners list below.

2023 CFDA WINNERS AND HONOREES

• American Womenswear Designer of the Year – Catherine Holstein, Khaite

• American Menswear Designer of the Year – Willy Chavarria

• American Accessory Designer of the Year – Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen The Row

• Shop With Google American Emerging Designer of the Year – Rachel Scott, Diotima

• Board of Directors Tribute – Vera Wang

• Founder’s Award in Honor of Eleanor Lambert Domenico – De Sole

• Amazon Innovation Award – Gwyneth Paltrow, Goop

• Fashion Icon Award – Serena Williams

• Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award – Maria Cornejo

• Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard -Alina Cho

• Environmental Sustainability – Award Mara Hoffman

• International Designer of the Year – Jonathan Anderson, JW Anderson and Loewe

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