Serena Williams Just Teased Her Epic U.S. Open Outfits Designed by Nike and Off-White
Serena Williams is known first and foremost for her prowess on the tennis court, but her eye for fashion and history of wearing standout lewks to defend her many titles comes in a close second. And if you thought the Nike catsuit she wore to the French Open in May was good, wait until you see what she has planned for the U.S. Open.
On Monday Williams teased a first look at her forthcoming outfits for the fiftieth U.S. Open, which begins later this month. And she enlisted the help of none other than designer Virgil Abloh, creative director of Off-White and of menswear at Louis Vuitton, to create some epic Nike-branded fashion.
According to an official announcement from Nike, Williams collaborated with Abloh on what's being called The Queen Collection. It's an homage to the athlete's legendary career in tennis, culminating in a custom dress and Nike Flare sneakers that she will wear to potentially reclaim the U.S. Open title later this summer.
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In a statement Abloh noted how the outfits are meant to capture Williams' personality on the court for the U.S. Open, an event which Williams has won six times. "With Serena, we have one of our generation's most powerful, inspiring athletes as the muse," he said. "I was trying to embody her spirit and bring something compelling and fresh to tennis."
That "compelling" look comes across in pieces fusing athletic performance and feminine details—think one-shoulder tops, tulle skirts, and glitter sneakers.
The Serena Dress (pictured above in black, and below in white) had special significance, according to Abloh: "It has a sort of ballerina-esque silhouette to symbolize her grace. It's not about bells and whistles and tricks. It's just about it living on the body, and expressing Serena’s spirit with each swing of the racket."
Williams won't be the only person to wear Nike x Off-White's Queen Collection: Pieces from this collaboration will be be available for purchase at select Nike locations. Prices for all items haven't yet been released, though the Serena dress will retail for $500, the jacket will go for $900, and the SW Air Max 97's will be $190.
Collaborating with Nike is familiar territory for both Williams and Abloh. Nike currently carries a line of athletic gear designed in collaboration with Williams, and has been responsible for many of most memorable tennis outfits over the years. Abloh, meanwhile, released a collection of reimagined Nike sneakers during New York Fashion Week last September.
We didn't need any more reasons to be excited to see Williams on the court, but this collection certainly amps up the anticipation.
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