The Empowering Message Behind Serena Williams' Off-White™ Outfit at the French Open
Designed by Virgil Abloh.
Last year at the French Open, Serena Williams competed in a custom Nike catsuit, that she’d been wearing since the birth of her daughter Alexis. The global tennis star specifically chose to wear the piece since it aided in fighting off blood clots. Following this instance, the French Tennis Federation declared catsuits would be banned from upcoming French Opens. Though many viewed this ban as sexist, Williams shared, “I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do. I feel like if and when, or if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be OK with it. So I think it’s fine.”
She returned to the French Open this year and won her first round against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko. For the match, she wore a custom outfit by Abloh, made up of a black and white two-piece.
In an official statement reported by Vogue she shared:
“It’s the second time we’ve worked together. It has words in it in French. It talks about me being a mom and me being a queen, as all women are. A champion. It’s positive reinforcement for me, and I kind of love that.”
Williams has advanced to the second round of the French Open. Stay tuned here as more details emerge on the tennis competition.
While you are here take a look at the Virgil Abloh-designed Off-White™ Air Force 1 for Serena Williams in “University Blue” and their collaborative Off-White™ x Nike collection.
