Serena Williams Is Setting a New Standard as the First Athlete to Win the Fashion Icon Award

Known to be the greatest Tennis player of all time, Serena Williams will be the first athlete to receive the Fashion Icon Award at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards presented by Amazon Fashion.

Therefore, Williams will be amongst Beyoncé, Naomi Campbell, Lenny Kravitz, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Franca Sozzani, Pharrell Williams, and Rihanna who were previous recipients of the Fashion Icon Award.

Thome Browne, chairman of the CFDA, shared a glowing review of the athlete: “Serena is one of the most inspiring people in the world, a true individual, she is an icon of the sports world representing greatness on the highest level bringing fashion to another world, for another audience, always staying true to herself. Both on and off the court, a perfect combination of our worlds, the ultimate example of individuality in everything she does. Serena is a true fashion icon.”

In response, Williams stated, “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself… Fashion gave me the confidence to step on the court and own who I was, and where I knew I was going.

“My dream of owning my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality and throughout my career, I have been blessed to collaborate with the most established designers and the most exciting up-and-coming creatives. 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,” she concluded.

The event will take place in New York at the American Museum of Natural History on November 6.