Roxanna Scott
USA TODAY Sports
Published 5:44 p.m. UTC May 30, 2018
A day after causing a stir with her catsuit at the French Open, Serena Williams launched a new fashion line she describes as “strong, sexy, sophisticated and sassy.”
Williams announced on her web site that she’s launching her first independent clothing line “for all the ladies out there being awesome.”
The winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles won her opening match at Roland Garros on Tuesday, playing in her first major championship since giving birth to a baby girl in September. She wore a black Nike body suit on court, much to the delight of fans on Twitter and she later explained the choice was aimed at making a statement.
“All the moms out there that had a tough pregnancy and have to come back and try to be fierce, in a middle of everything. That’s what this represents,” she said in an interview with journalist Jon Wertheim. “You can’t beat a cat suit, right?”
Williams has long been working in the fashion industry and has been a staple at New York’s Fashion Week, launching Aneres (her name spelled backwards) in 2004 before collaborating with HSN for another line in 2009.
On Wednesday she took to Twitter to explain the inspiration behind the new line.
“They say life is about timing. I learned this lesson at age 18, when I chose to play a light tennis schedule because I wanted to go to fashion school,” she wrote. “Some criticized my decision, but I knew I had two loves — tennis and fashion — and had to find a way to make them coexist.”
She said she sketched out ideas and presented them to potential partners, only to be rejected time and again.
But the experience only made her more determined. “If you know anything about me, you know that when someone tells me “no,” it only makes me work harder,” she wrote.
While talking to her best friend about investing in herself and following her dreams, Williams said a light bulb went off and “I realized I needed to take my own advice.”
She assembled a power team and got to work. Her latest fashion endeavor, labeled S, features casual crop tops, joggers and dresses priced from $40 to $205.
“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another,” Williams’ site read to explain the brand. “We’re strongest when we cheer each other on. I dedicate this collection to everyone who’s ready to rep their S.”
After disclosing she had a difficult pregnancy, Williams has talked openly about her challenges in a HBO series. She’s unseeded at the French Open after taking maternity leave from the Tour, a move that many see as punishing a player for having a child. Williams, a three-time French Open champ, plays Ashleigh Barty in the second round.
On Tuesday she wrote on Twitter, “Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy — here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!”
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