Serena Williams turns heads on the red carpet
Serena Williams may be known for her legendary tennis career, but the athlete is now making a name for herself in the world of fashion.
Appearing on the red carpet for the AdWeek Brand Genius Awards in New York City, Williams was awarded Brand Visionary of the year as she wore a dress that reflected her big personality to a tee.
The midi-length dress was created by acclaimed designer Vera Wang and was made with mixed materials of plaid and silver sequins.
To top it off, the tennis champion paired it with a pair of statement Christian Louboutin heels and diamond earrings.
Williams received her award from last year's winner of the same title, Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Upon being handed the award, Williams gave an inspirational speech that highlighted her many achievements and struggles since she was a child.
“Once you set your goals, always aim higher. I have to say hard work and dedication are the cornerstones of success,” Williams said.
“If you believe in yourself, even when others are doubting you, it’s so important to have that self-belief in yourself.”
Williams is known for taking a stance against inequality on and off the court, as the mother-of-one is a proud feminist.
And after 15 years of rejection and hardship, Williams was finally able to lift her fashion brand off the ground.
“After 15 years of false starts, and people in fashion telling me ‘no,’ it only drove me to work harder. As a result, I discovered what it meant to invest in myself, and I allowed that belief in myself to drive me to reach my dream,” she said in an Instagram post.