Venus Williams turns up the glamor in stylish all-black fit and braids at ‘magical’ Dior fashion show in Paris that caused all men wondering

There are few figures in modern culture who seamlessly bridge the worlds of sport, business, and high fashion with the kind of effortless grandeur that Venus Williams exudes. A seven-time Grand Slam champion, founder, and designer in her own right—her presence at couture week is nothing short of an event itself.And so, on a brisk morning in Paris, as the gilded doors of the Rodin Museum swung open for Dior’s spring/summer 2025 show, Williams arrived—a vision of poise, power, and Parisian perfection.

It was a day draped in the fantasy of couture, orchestrated by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri, who, with this collection, conjured a world suspended between past and future—a temporal paradox of craft and reinvention. Think: a fever dream of crinolines reimagined with ethereal lightness, capes that floated like whispers, and silhouettes lifted from Dior’s archives, reinterpreted for the modern age. “The theme was super apparent,” Williams, who serves as house’s Capture Ambassador, muses post-show. “It was floral, but also felt like some sort of legend come to life—like mythology walking the runway.”
Morning Routine

For a woman accustomed to the rigorous precision of professional tennis, getting ready for an event like Dior’s haute couture show is a different kind of discipline. “Hopefully it’s not too early—I am not a morning person,” she says with a laugh. “A perfect day is one where you can get up, move your body, hit the gym, and then start prepping for the show.”Preparation, however, extends far beyond the morning of the event. In fact, Williams, ever the strategist, had been laying the groundwork for days. “Skin care prep starts long before the show because your skin is what you live in,” she explains. “I started last week, doing a few masks to get my skin clear. I used Dior’s Capture Le Sérum and Capture Day Crème—especially in this winter weather, I’m layering on moisture non-stop. Moisture is the answer.”
Getting DressedThe anticipation builds as she steps into her Dior ensemble. “It’s all about envisioning the hair and makeup with the look,” she says, thoughtfully considering the synergy of every element. “I’m a Florida girl—I cannot handle the cold,” she adds, only half-joking. “You won’t see anyone run faster in high heels than me, racing to get inside!”

Her choice of attire is a study in sophistication—timeless yet modern, classic yet avant-garde. “I wanted something that felt enduring, nothing too sporty or racy,” she says. “Couture should feel sophisticated.” And sophisticated she was, draped in a black ensemble that allowed her accessories—her pièce de résistance—to do the talking. “I always have to have a bag—not even for the style, but to hide the phone,” she quips. “Today, I carried the D-Journey bag—it matched my outfit perfectly and was really fun to wear. And the jewelry—dripping in color! My outfit was black, so adding a pop of color felt so right, especially in winter.”
A Look Inside.Once inside the venue, the world of Dior unfolded before Williams’s eyes—an ethereal dreamscape of fluid silhouettes, intricate embroidery, and historical references that played hide-and-seek with the present. Inspired by the Trapèze line designed by a young Yves Saint Laurent for Dior in 1958, Chiuri’s vision was one of movement and metamorphosis. The runway saw women-birds in punked-up feathered headpieces, flower goddesses in petal capes, and surrealist crinolines that fluttered like caged butterflies.

“The jackets were incredible,” Venus notes, her eyes lighting up with admiration. “I thought, I could make so much use of these! You know, wear it on a Monday, wear it on a Saturday.” Practicality in haute couture? Only someone like her could merge such dualities so effortlessly.
Post-Show Reflections
Williams has always been a chameleon when it comes to fashion, evolving her aesthetic with the same intentionality she brings to her tennis game. “Every few years, I get inspired to change my look,” she shares. “A few years ago, I wanted to be very eclectic and curated. Now, I want to be neutral and classic. It’s always changing, and I think it’s fun to see that evolution.”Her personal fashion mantra? “Update, don’t be late.”And just as couture stands at the pinnacle of fashion, Williams sees an undeniable parallel with women’s sports. “Couture represents the highest level of artistry, where women are front and center. It’s incredible to see that same shift happening in women’s sports—where we are finally being recognized on a global stage.”Below, Williams takes us along as she gets ready for the show.