My Runway

Tennis legend Serena Williams has been named a fashion icon by The Council of Fashion Designers of America.

The organisation awarded Williams the title on Monday night at a ceremony in New York .

" I explored fashion and style as a way to distinguish myself, " Williams told The Crowd . " In many ways for me, the tennis courts became My Runway . "

Williams is The First athlete to win the award. Previous award recipients include Beyoncé, Zendaya and Rihanna.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion rocked the Red Carpet at The American Museum of Natural History , wearing a bespoke black sequin dress designed by CFDA Chairman Thom Browne .

On The Fashion industry's equivalent of Oscar night, Williams was presented the 2023 CFDA fashion icon award by fashion mogul and television star Kim Kardashian .

Others in The Audience included actors Anne Hathaway , Gwyneth Paltrow and Demi Moore and singers Mary J Blige and Vanessa Hudgens .

In her acceptance speech, Williams spoke of her love for fashion and its role on the tennis court.

" I designed skirts out of denim and I wore purple tutus and bodysuits and put beads in my hair, and braids, " She Said . " It was really just a Fun Time for me. "

Williams studied fashion during her playing Career - attending fashion school between Grand Slams - and in 2018, launched her S by Serena clothing line.

In 2019, Williams told Essence magazine that her clothes " represent women Everywhere - indomitable mothers, daughters and sisters; resilient businesswomen and entrepreneurs; outsiders and underdogs; little girls with crazy dreams and unflinching women of colour".

Williams, 42, ended her 27-year professional Career in 2022 in New York at the US Open, though she has said " I Am not retired" and " the chances (of a return) are very high".

She referred to her Career 's end in a Vogue magazine article as " evolving away from tennis".

At the awards ceremony, Williams thanked several people but saved The Last one for her mother.

" Watching her sew created this creativity in me that I still have to This Day , " Williams said.

Source of news: bbc.com