Serena Williams honoring Virgil Abloh, walks the Off-White present of Paris Trend Week

Serena Williams is not any stranger to the runway, she has modeled her personal trend exhibits previously. However Monday marked the primary time the 23-times champion walked for one of many main luxurious manufacturers throughout trend month.

On the primary day of Paris Trend Week, Williams paid tribute to her longtime trend collaborator, the late designer and founding father of Off-White, Virgil Abloh.

Off-White, a Milan-based luxurious model, honored Abloh, who died in November 2023 on the age of 41 after a personal battle with a uncommon most cancers, whereas presenting its Fall 2023 assortment – Abloh’s newest contribution to the model.

The star-studded present (Kendall Jenner, Joan Smalls, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford are additionally on the catwalk for the event) was break up into two components, with Serena dressed as a part of her “ready-to-wear assortment” for the upcoming season in Half One.

Serena Williams’ spot, modeling on the Off-White Virgil Abloh Memorial Present #PFW pic.twitter.com/lAfFQoE6w8

– Vanessa Friedman (VVFriedman) February 28, 2023

Serena Williams simply participated in Virgil Abloh’s newest white present at Paris Trend Week pic.twitter.com/noXQXQmnel

– Jessica Testa (@jtes) February 28, 2023

After the present, Williams took to Instagram to precise her gratitude for the chance to honor her pal.

Abloh’s longest-running muse has at all times been Williams, with the tennis star the inspiration for the designer’s first Nike assortment in 2018. Dubbed “Queen” (naturally), the gathering featured Abloh’s type in a basic tennis gown with asymmetrical color-blocking, basic Off – White textual content and tulle skirt. “I used to be making an attempt to embody its spirit and provide one thing new and convincing for tennis,” he stated in an official assertion on the event of the match. Williams wore the multicolored gown on the 2018 US Open.

In 2019, she wore neon yellow Abloh sneakers whereas attending the Met Gala. Quickly after, an unique Abloh rocked on the 2019 French Open. The black and white striped ensemble—full with an identical gown—is embellished with the French phrases for “mom,” “champion,” “queen,” and “goddess.”

When Abloh handed away, Williams was one among a bunch of celebrities who shared a tribute to the beloved designer. “Phrases can not categorical the unhappiness I really feel on the demise of my pal @virgilabloh,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’ll endlessly be grateful to have had the chance to witness such greatness, such genius and really feel the heat of his smile. It was an honor to face beside him. He lit up each room he entered. I want his beloved household and pals discover consolation in realizing how deeply his artwork has influenced our tradition, And all of us. I will miss you.”