Certified fashion icon Serena Williams is known for her head-turning style, but on Tuesday she let her accessories do the talking at an event for Vanity Fair and Swiss watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet.Last week, the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s name was etched to the pages of fashion history books as she became the first athlete to receive the “Fashion Icon” award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Serena, who recently gave birth to her second daughter Adira in October, lived up to that label as she put her own spin on the popular sheer lace dress trend—recently seen on everyone from Kim Kardashian to Rosalia—in a photoshoot shared to social media.
Instead of going for goth-glam black, the 42-year-old rocked a vibrant purple Carolina Herrera lace-knit dress featuring a turtleneck and long sleeves. Serena completed the look with a bright yellow wool coat and metallic silver platform heels.“An evening with @vanityfair x @audemarspiguet,” Serena shared on Instagram, along with photos of her outfit and snaps with husband Alexis Ohanian and oldest daughter Olympia.
But as to be expected at an event where Audemars Piguet is involved, it was all about the watches—and Serena’s custom timepiece fittingly took center stage. (Watch video above)The former world No. 1 has been sponsored by AP since 2014, and has amassed a sizable watch collection over the years. For this event, Serena brought out her 50th Anniversary Royal Oak “Jumbo” extra-thin watch in 18-carat yellow gold, which retails for close to $80,000 USD. Scroll through Serena’s post below to take a closer look.
Serena received the watch last year as a gift from AP, after she wore her unique left-handed Royal Oak Offshore Quartz watch during every match of her US Open farewell. The watchmaker celebrated the tennis champion by presenting her with a custom timepiece featuring “Serena Williams” and “GOAT” engraved on the back.
“AP was always my favorite,” Serena told Women’s Wear Daily last year. “I’m not going to work with a brand that I don’t really like just because it’s a big payday… people will see through that, and most of all, I will see through that. And I don’t want to see through that.”
Already recognized for her style, Serena is set for an even bigger honor as the National Women’s Hall of Fame announced she will be inducted into the hall alongside civil rights activist Ruby Bridges next year.