Tennis superstar Serena Williams and sportswear giant Nike have teamed up in 2019 for an innovative and engaging partnership. The Beaverton-based brand selected 10 emerging designers from underrepresented communities to create pieces inspired by Serena Williams and the values she espouses. The first Nike x Serena Williams Design Crew women’s collection was unveiled today.
Serena Williams wanted to use her fame to benefit people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Together with Nike, she allowed young talents to be integrated into an apprenticeship program to promote diversity in design and career advancement. For six months, 10 aspiring designers worked at Nike’s world headquarters in Oregon, designing footwear, apparel and accessories to match the tennis champion’s sporty, lifestyle style.
Serena Williams said : « The future of sports is creative, inclusive and unlimited in its possibilities. Everyone is invited to participate ! My partnership with Nike on the Serena Williams Design Crew builds on that same spirit of inclusivity and extends to design at Nike, across the industry and around the world. There is so much incredible talent out there; I hope the next generation sees this program and is inspired to get involved. »
The first collection features a design inspired by the famous tenniswoman’s roots and career. The pieces incorporate personal elements of Serena Williams, such as her 23 Grand Slam titles, gold metallic accents representing her gold medals, the initials of the West African Kente cloth inspired prints, and her daughter’s initials. 3 main color palettes stand out : Black/Grey, Kaki Green-Gold/White and Brick Orange/Orange Yellow.
We discover sportswear such as tracksuits, hoodies, bodysuits, tops, bras, shorts, leggings and pantsuits. An assortment of sneakers is also offered. It includes 2 iterations of Court Legacy and 2 colorways of RYZ 365 2, as well as an Air Max Koko which is a compromise between the sneaker and the sandal. Bags, bucket hats and caps complete the collection.
The first Nike x Serena Williams Design Crew collection will be released on September 1, 2021 at select retailers and on nike.com. Be ready !
