Serena Williams Shows New York Fashion Week 2020 Collection
“I like to say I went to fashion school in between winning Wimbledons,” joked Serena Williams ahead of debuting her Spring 2020 2 by Serena collection at New York Fashion Week 2020. With a pre-show interview conducted by Anna Wintour, Serena opened up about her fashion expertise, her favorite Tennis looks, and the vital advice she has for her younger self.
“It’s so fun to have fun with fashion and in my sport, I have a great opportunity to play in something really wide and really fun, and to really express myself because sometimes those people, they only see me on the court,” she explained. Over the years, Serena’s style — on and off the court — has set her apart as a fashion powerhouse. Her favorite on-court look, however, was of course her iconic tutus designed by Virgil Abloh.
“I have been doing fashion since 2000 — that’s when I went to fashion school — so I’ve been doing this a really long time, more than people actually realize,” she explained when asked by Wintour why she choose to present her collection in an intimate, breakfast sit down setting (as opposed to last season when she held a runway show attended by Ashley Graham, Kim Kardashian West, and other big names). Serena explained that this season, she wanted those in the audience to really get to know her, her background and her design aesthetic.
When asked by Teen Vogue editor-in-chief Lindsay Peoples Wagner what advice she would give to her younger self, Serena said, “Everything you do will take a lot of work and dedication. And I know that sounds classic and redundant, but it’s true and I can’t stress that enough. There’s that ‘100,000 hours’ that you have to do.”
From tennis star to fashion designer, Serena wears a plethora of (designer) hats. But she explains that her most recent endeavor is her favorite: being a mother.
“After having a child, I was like, ‘My heroes are moms.’ Women are superheroes. To have a baby and have to go work two weeks later or three weeks later, or even to go to a 9 to 5 [is incredible].”
Following the interviews, models walked throughout the room wearing Serena’s designs, showing off the new collection. Vegan leather and bold animal prints were huge in the collection that featured jumpsuits, pantsuits, dresses and more. Serena also incorporated shades of green into the collection, including a two-shade fitted dress that truly stole the show.
IMG NYFW: The Shows 2020 Partners - February 12
Bryan Bedder/Getty Images
IMG NYFW: The Shows 2020 Partners - February 12
Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesThe best part, however, might have been the inclusivity incorporated throughout the collection, which Serena is well-known for. “For me, it’s all about creating that message of inclusivity, and inclusivity is everything,” she told Wintour earlier.
From models of different races to different sizes, Serena designs with every single woman in mind. Her clothing is ready to wear whether you’re a size 2 going to work or a size 18 going out with friends for the evening. It’s clear that to Serena, inclusivity is not a buzzword: It’s the future.
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Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
