Serena Williams Set To Become First Athlete To Receive CFDA Fashion Icon Award

| by Nurein Ahmed

Tennis icon Serena Williams will be honored at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards ceremony by receiving the Fashion Icon Award, making her the first athlete to receive this prize.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) will host its prize-giving ceremony at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on November 6, 2023, where a well-rounded group of designers are among the honorees, with Serena being the only sportsperson on the list.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis in September 2022, although she despised using the word "retirement" in her farewell tribute, stating she was "evolving" away from tennis. Williams has now channeled her focus into raising her kids, having recently given birth to her second daughter Adira River Ohanian.

Throughout her career, Serena has been an embodiment of grit and inspiration to many up-and-coming tennis players on the WTA Tour. And now the 42-year-old is banking on her tennis aura to motivate and empower women to feel and be just as trendy when they dress up.

Serena has been an advocate of fashion and design since her playing days and launched her eponymous clothing line called "Serena" in 2018. She set up an online presence where women can choose among a variety of athleisure and therapeutic clothes in addition to dresses and blazers, with some carrying positive messaging through embroidered motivational quotes.

"Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself. I have had so much fun learning my style and allowing it to change as my life has evolved, but I’ve always held one thing true—fashion is for everyone, no matter your size, race, or income."

"I am incredibly honored to be receiving the prestigious Fashion Icon award from the CFDA, an organization whose work I have long admired and to stand among style icons I have always looked up to."

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