Serena

Williams

ith one hand on her hip and the other cra-

dling her chin, Serena Williams, dressed in a

nondescript white tee and black leggings,

has come in from the humidity and is stand-

ing in a photo studio near her south Florida home. She’s sur-

veying a rack of black-and-white statement pieces from Tom

Ford to Caroline Herrera for her ESSENCE cover shoot. Like

her 122 mph serves, her eyes dart back and forth from one

design to another. “Ohhh, who’s that by?” asks Williams, and

then without missing a beat: “Do you have anything from

our collection?” She offers a slight smile, buoyed by the

self-assurance that has won her 23 Grand Slam titles (her

goal is 25). She’s clearly happy knowing her designs stack

up against some of the biggest fashion houses in the world,

not only in style but in purpose. »

She’s one of the best athletes of all time, and her place

in history has been cemented. What’s next for the wife, mom,

entrepreneur, activist and fashion designer? Everything

BY CORI MURRAY • PHOTOGRAPHY BY KWAKU ALSTON

STYLING BY MARIELLE BOBO • VISUAL ART BY LÁOLÚ

THE FUTURE OF

W

ESSENCE.COM I 110 I SEPTEMBER 2019