From catsuits to black tutus, Serena Williams has never been shy about wearing extravagant attire on the tennis court. Now that she’s launched her first independent clothing collection, it’s apparent her passion for fashion isn’t all about raising eyebrows. Williams was the first black athlete to be pictured by herself on the cover of Vogue, so it’s fair to say she’s made an impact on the fashion world. From beaded hair to stunning gowns, here’s Serena’s two-decade-long fashion evolution.
1998 — The Beaded Hair
Young Serena wears her hair beaded, posing with a bright grin on her face. She has on a highlighter-yellow plaid shirt and black jeans as she hugs a palm tree by the beach. Her free and careless look is just what you’d expect from a teen with a bright future ahead.
This photo was snapped during the Lipton Championships of 1998 in Florida. Serena was just 17-years-old but had already been playing professional tennis for three years.