Simone Biles arrived at the 2025 ESPY Awards not merely as a champion but as a study in elegance. While most eyes were fixed on her navy gown and the polished ease with which she wore it, few realized the garment’s surprising origin. Designed by Zac Posen and custom-built for the gymnast by Athleta, a brand better known for yoga leggings than couture. It was the kind of red carpet moment that didn’t shout for attention, yet owned it completely. And the foundation for it all came not from a showroom or atelier, but from a $59 workout tee she once wore at practice! 

The night was a celebration of Biles’s Paris triumph, as she accepted the ESPY for Best Championship Performance following her gold-winning all-around performance at the Olympic Games. She used the platform to express concern for those affected by the Fourth of July floods in Kerr County, asking viewers to keep the victims and families in their thoughts. Yet when she stepped onto the carpet in Los Angeles, it was clear that this evening would be remembered for more than her medal count. She had taken a risk, partnering with Athleta to craft a formal gown. Partnering with Athleta to craft a formal gown, a first for the activewear brand, and a turning point in its foray into eveningwear.

That bold choice, however, was years in the making. Long before Simone Biles met Zac Posen or accepted her invitation to the ceremony, she had developed a deep familiarity with the very fabric that would later shape her ESPYs gown. “It’s probably too much to count,” she said, referring to her near-daily use of Athleta’s four-way stretch Transcend T-shirts and leggings in training. Among them, a $59 open-back tee became a mainstay in her workouts. Versatile, breathable, and resilient. It was this very piece that planted the idea: if it could perform under pressure in the gym, why not on a stage then?

Once Posen entered the picture, fresh off successful high-profile collaborations at Gap and Old Navy, Athleta had both the creative eye and the technical means to attempt something new. “I trust you!” Simone Biles told him after viewing the first mannequin prototype. From there, he worked directly with her measurements, reshaping the fabric into a navy silhouette with a deeper scoop neckline and a trailing train tailored to her frame. The beads, hundreds of them, were added later, not to distract but to trace the dress’s lines with quiet confidence.

The finished dress was polished, thoughtful, and totally unlike anything Athleta had done before. But it wasn’t just about fashion; it highlighted Biles’s impact beyond the mat and showed how brands can start creating with athletes, not just for them. And honestly, it proved that game-changing ideas don’t always start on the red carpet. Sometimes, they begin with a simple T-shirt. And as for Biles? She might already be gearing up for her next big win…

Simone Biles’ documentary earns prestigious Emmy nomination

It began as a documentary chronicling the resolve of a gymnast. It has now earned its place among television’s most distinguished honours. Simone Biles Rising, a four-part Netflix series produced in association with the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Channel Services, has received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Documentary (Series) category. The recognition arrives as the latest accolade in a growing list for a production that places both athletic brilliance and human vulnerability at its core.

The series, produced by Religion of Sports, follows Simone Biles as she navigates the aftermath of her Tokyo 2020 withdrawal and prepares for her return to the Olympic stage in Paris. Its strength lies in its restraint: offering an unvarnished portrayal of Biles as she contends not merely with routines and medals, but with the psychological weight of expectation. “Simone Biles Rising is a powerful reminder that true strength lies not only in medals, but also in courage, honesty and the willingness to be vulnerable,” said Yiannis Exarchos, Executive Director of Olympic Channel Services. The nomination, he added, is “a great honour — and a testament to Simone’s impact and the values that lie at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”

The Emmy nod follows a series of critical commendations, including wins at the Producers Guild of America Awards and the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards. Jérôme Parmentier, Vice-President of Media Rights and Content Partnerships at the IOC, underscored the broader aim behind such efforts: “We are committed to delivering high-quality, impactful storytelling that celebrates athletes and deepens the connection between fans and the Olympic Movement.” The winners of the 77th Emmy Awards will be announced on 14 September at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. Whether she wins here too remains to be seen. However, what’s for sure is the fact that Simone Biles is indeed conquering it all!