NEW YORK — Tennis star Serena Williams presented her second collection for the HSN network in a high-profile runway show that drew influential Vogue editor Anna Wintour and other fashion heavyweights — not to mention rapper Drake.
Williams said designing was a great break from the pressure of her tennis career. “I love what I do obviously, but I also sometimes need a break from that — and I love fashion,” she said. “It’s something I have a passion for.”
Williams’ collection — shown Tuesday to a soundtrack that included several of Drake’s songs — had a contemporary vibe, with lots of fringed leather and suede, in skirts, jackets and dresses. (She herself was wearing a revealing fringed leather skirt that showed tiny short-shorts underneath.) Highlights included a sleek, tiered black fringed dress; a black gown with a line of fringe down the back; and a short, deep green bomber jacket.
“Everything that’s in our collection will be available right away (online), so we have to be current,” Williams said. “Fringe is one of the trends that we set upon. Also, we wanted a vibe that’s homey, that’s nostalgic, ’70s, in terms of the fringe and the suede and the colors, so that really spoke to us.”
Williams said that designing comes easily to her.
“It’s easy because I went to school for it,” she said. “Also, I have the most amazing team, and we work together.” She noted that her favorite role in the process is to sketch. “I love to sketch,” she said. “I mean, that’s what designers do. So I’ll just sketch something and then they’ll re sketch it and make it perfect, and I’m like, that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
