If there’s anyone who understands that fashion is a perfect body game, it’s famous tennis player Venus Williams. We’ve seen her redefine “courtside chic” for years, but stepping into the role of co-chair of the Met Gala this year took her style game into a whole new realm. While she’ll be the first to tell you that the museum’s iconic steps are far more nerve-wracking than any Grand Slam final (or even the aisle of her recent wedding), she looked every bit like the royal champion we love.
Of course, tonight’s mega-watt Met Gala look adheres to the “Fashion Is Art” dress code for this year’s Costume Institute exhibit, which examines fashion as wearable art. Williams used her custom jewelry to symbolize the connection between her world of high-fashion glamor and the physicality required to become one of the world’s best athletes. Each detail was a deliberate nod to Gatorade’s recently launched multi-year global research initiative “Science of the Body,” which is calling attention to the lack of research specifically dedicated to women’s bodies. It’s a subtle reminder that although we’ve mastered the aesthetics of the female form, we’re still catching up to the science behind it.
Ahead of the big event, we connected with Venus Williams to talk about following in her sister Serena’s footsteps as co-chair, conquering Met Gala-day nerves, and why her signature jewelry was the ultimate power play at fashion’s biggest night of the year.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Who: venus williams
wear: custom swarovski
Styled by: Ronald Burton III
What was your initial reaction when you were asked to be co-chair this year? Did Serena give you any advice as co-chair in 2019?
Honestly, my initial reaction was, oh my god, yes! There was celebration, disbelief, and even a great deal of gratitude. I don’t think anyone ever feels worthy of being co-chairman of the Met, so it was an incredible feeling. I remember feeling very proud when my sister was co-president, so I know she feels the same way about me. I’m still in disbelief; This is one of the greatest honors I have ever received. I plan to enjoy the entire experience.
Tell me about your Met Gala jewelry.
All of my accessories on Monday nights are custom pieces, and they are truly designed to bring to life why only 6% of global sports science research focuses specifically on the female body. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted to connect with the story of Body of Science in a way that felt cohesive and expressive.
How did Body of Science inspire the look of your Met Gala jewelry and other Met moments?
We created looks together that were really meant to draw attention to the women’s sports science research problem, including my pre-gala dinner look, press preview event look, and of course, my stuff for Monday night. I really wanted each look to tell an individual story in itself, as well as a larger story about the power of female bodies and the need to better understand them.
Why is working with Gatorade a good fit for you? What are they working on that excites you?
As an athlete, Gatorade has obviously been a constant presence throughout my career. They have always led from the front when it comes to investing in the women’s game and moving the ball forward, and when they came to me about the body of science and being a meaningful part of the solution, they easily said yes.
Congratulations on your recent marriage! What’s more nerve-wracking: walking down the aisle or climbing the Met Gala stairs, and why?
Walking up the stairs to the Met Gala would definitely be more stressful for me. I’m naturally quite shy, even if it doesn’t always come across. I have always been deeply introverted, although over time I have become more of an “extroverted introvert.” So this moment feels a little more difficult. Walking down the aisle felt completely natural. I already knew that I wanted to marry my husband, so there was no nervousness.
How has the sports science research gap impacted your career? Why is female-specific sports science data important in tennis and other sports?
When Gatorade was first sharing Body of Science, I think I wasn’t surprised, but obviously a little disappointed that I’d spent decades optimizing my fitness and wellness to be the best on the court, and realized that it wasn’t optimized for me. It’s so important for women to have information, resources, and education that addresses us and our unique needs, and I’m excited that the next generation of female tennis players, as well as women at all stages of life, will have better, science-backed data to make decisions about their bodies. People keep asking, “What’s next for women’s sports?” And I think that’s a big part of it.
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