By Laviniah Karanja (Fashion blogger and Face of Kenya UK 2014)
If there was a Grand Slam for style, Serena Williams would have added it to her ever expanding trophy cabinet.
The 33-year-old celebrated her extraordinary third win of the four Grand Slam tournaments this year by looking every bit regal at the Wimbledon Champions dinner on Sunday night. She sought to make a statement amid critical remarks made about female athletes and their bodies that has widely sparked controversy and divided opinion. The No.1 female tennis player in the world radiated in a cream gown with embellished bodice and silk skirt.
Gaining the support of others, bestselling writer J.K Rowling took to twitter to express her thoughts and stand in support of the pro athlete saying “#SerenaSlam! I love her! What an athlete, what a role model, what a woman!”. She then branded an unknown follower on twitter “an idiot” after a claim by the unnamed assailant that “the main reason for her success is that she is built like a man.”
In a candid interview titled ‘Tennis’s Top Women Balance Body Image with Ambition’ Williams opened up about her long journey in attaining body confidence and being comfortable in her physique. Despite her many victories since 1999, solidifying her position as one of history’s most prominent athletes, she admitted to struggling with “societal norms” and even covering her arms “because when I do ‘people don’t recognize me as much.”
Certainly an ongoing topic on ideals of femininity, but we’re happy to see Serena is among the many courageous women paving the way for redefinitions of beauty which comes in many forms. Evidently her fighting spirit and bold style choices have earned her a place on the cover of Vogue. Kudos to her.
