Serena Williams Expresses Gratitude After Receiving New Fashion Award
23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams received the Fashion Icon Breakthrough Award at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Awards Gala on Wednesday. The record-breaking tennis player and entrepreneur was recognized for her outstanding achievements in business and fashion. From investing in companies with diversity initiatives to launching her own clothing and jewelry lines, Williams is breaking boundaries both on and off the court.
The four-time Olympic gold medalist expressed her appreciation in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “It was an honor to be recognized as a “Fashion Icon” by @fitnyc, the Fashion Institute of Technology — an internationally recognized leader in education in design, fashion and business, and presented the award by @zalesjewelers,” Williams wrote. “I’ve always felt it is super important to celebrate your inner power through your exterior statement and make that your fashion statement.”
Williams’ passion for design led her to fashion school in the early 2000s. Nearly two decades later, she launched her own clothing line, S by Serena. Designed by the tennis titan herself, the brand prides itself on being approachable, inclusive, and stylish. Williams also has her own jewelry collection with Signet Jewelers. Sold exclusively at Zales, Serena Williams Jewelry empowers women of all ages.
The mother of one is a staunch diversity advocate. So much so, she founded her own venture capital firm in 2014, Serena Ventures. Focused on investing in women and people of color, the SV team strives to share perspectives and ideas from traditionally underrepresented groups.
In addition to her business ventures, the fashion mogul is a devoted philanthropist. The Williams family founded the Yetunde Price Resource Center in 2018, an organization committed to providing vital resources to those affected by trauma. Named after her oldest sister, who was killed in a senseless act of gun violence, the center offers trauma-informed programming to the residents of her hometown Compton.
Congratulations to Serena Williams on this extraordinary honor. To stay up to date on her latest achievements and endeavors, follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
