Williams said her outfit in her first round match at the French Open was partially inspired by "Black Panther"GETTY IMAGES
Serena Williams is "launching her first proprietary fashion collection, simply called 'Serena,' debuting today," according to Leigh Nordstrom of WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY. Anchoring the line are "messages of self-love and confidence, both in physical type like the ath-leisure pants, and in its fabrics and price points." The line, which is being "sold exclusively on her own web site, is centered around practicality." The first line "ranges in price from $35 to $250, and the label is everything from the more expected ath-leisure to denim, dresses and blazers." The line is "centered around the concept of an 's' word -- 'Serena,' yes, but also a wide-reaching embrace of the 'powerful' 19th letter of the alphabet." Doing a line of her own has "been in the works for over two years." Her standouts include a "suit jacket of mixed plaid with padded shoulders." Another favorite is a "reworked tracksuit, done with flared pants and a bell sleeve." Williams also has a "series of dresses ... sportier bombers and parachute pants, and lots of high-waisted denim, with just enough stretch" (WWD.com, 5/30).
SUPER SERENA: In N.Y., Johnny Oleksinski notes Williams during her first-round match at the French Open yesterday "donned a stark, full-body catsuit." The Nike sportswear was "clearly meant to turn heads." Williams wore an outfit about as "different from her opponent’s traditional patterned tennis skirt as you can get -- an all-black, stretchy body suit with a red waistband" (N.Y. POST, 5/30). Williams said, "I call it, like, my Wakanda-inspired catsuit." The AP's Howard Fendrich noted Williams is "referring to the fictional nation in the film 'Black Panther.'" Williams: "We designed it way before the movie, but still, it kind of reminds me of that." She added, "I'm always living in a fantasy world. I always wanted to be a superhero, and it's kind of my way of being a superhero" (AP, 5/29). Williams said that the suit’s "compressive qualities also had a functional role in light of her recurring problems with blood clots, because it facilitated circulation" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/30). YAHOO SPORTS' Torrey Hart noted Williams has her "own line of Nike tennis wear." But potential buyers will "have to wait," as it appears the "bold look is not yet available to the public" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/29).
CONTROL YOUR DESTINY: Tennis Channel’s Ted Robinson said of Williams’ return and her show “Being Serena” on HBO, “I keep coming back to the word ‘control.’ Serena has even allowed cameras to film her life, the most intimate parts of childbirth, the struggles she had after it because she likes to control her message. She likes to control here, but she's coming back from something ... she can't control, the health challenges she's faced.” Tennis Channel’s Lindsay Davenport: “The comeback was made a bit more challenging because of that. It was fascinating to hear about all the issues, ... everything she’s gone through to get back on the court. I have been surprised by how open she’s been" ("French Open," Tennis Channel, 5/29).
