Serena Williams A timeless beauty embracing the power of the rose.

When it comes to modern and multidimensional style, few can rival Serena Williams. The tennis icon’s off-court looks have traversed minimalist, sporty, and fully glamorous aesthetics over the years. Yet, there’s always a playful and powerful air that distinguishes Williams’ outfits—much like her latest appearance at Paris Fashion Week.

At Balmain’s Fall/Winter 2024 womenswear show, Williams graced the Pavillon Cambon in a black knit dress paying homage to the classic rose with a floral motif. The sleeveless style boasted a white-trimmed neckline and a large central flower pattern, complemented by a black overcoat casually draped over her shoulders. Adding a whimsical touch, Williams adorned her feet with open-toed black leather sandals featuring squared toes and lattice-woven straps. Glossy leather rose accents adorned the pair, lending a dramatic flair and a garden-inspired vibe to her ensemble. While the shoes made a bold statement, they also brought a thematic cohesion to Williams’ neutral Olivier Rousteing-designed look—evoking a decidedly “la vie en rose” sentiment.Williams’ dress tapped into the rosette fashion trend flourishing in recent seasons. The 3-D floral motif has gained popularity, as seen on stars like Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Meghann Fahy, and Natalie Portman during awards ceremonies and couture shows this year.

However, there’s a deeper symbolic undertone to Williams’ rosy ensemble. Historically, the rose symbolizes courage, beauty, romance, renewal, and honor—reflecting its significance in the cultures of Ancient Rome, France, and England, where it adorned fragrances, decorations, and even love potions. In a contemporary context, the Met Gala’s 2024 theme highlights the flower’s transformative nature.These values of bravery and courage resonate with Balmain as well. The French fashion house prominently featured roses in its Spring/Summer 2024 collection, presented shortly after its runway show pieces were infamously stolen last September.

Williams’ embrace of the rose symbolizes her support for Balmain and Rousteing’s legacy (the designer recently celebrated his 12th anniversary as the label’s creative director), as well as her own inner strength—after all, she’s renowned as one of the best female tennis players of all time, with 23 Grand Slam Singles titles to her name.