Game, set, and perfect match! Tennis star Venus Williams returned to the Met Gala red carpet, where she was spotted paying homage to her tennis roots with her bold fashion statements. Talking about fashion, Venus Williams once said, “Fashion started at a grassroots level for me.” From seeing her mother swing up her tennis skirts for her first professional match to starting her own business through her clothing line, Eleven, Williams has transitioned herself into a fashion icon over the years. This year’s theme at the fashion’s biggest night was “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” with the dress code being “Tailored for You.” Interestingly, during an interview, Williams revealed that she didn’t give her sister, Serena Williams, a sneak peek at her latest outfit for this gala event. But why?

Talking about her iconic outfit, Venus Williams was dressed by Lacoste, a brand with which she has been associated as a brand ambassador since 2022. In the 2025 Met Gala, she donned a forest green dress with a bedazzled polo-style collar. Keeping the sporty nods on, the dress also featured a pleated skirt that was short in front and extended in the back into a maxi skirt.

She paired her dress with a matching green coat, which was decorated with tassel fringe along the lapels and the hems of the sleeves. Her footwear was more like a blend of sneakers and loafers. But the silver beads in her braided hair were the real showstopper!

Speaking about her dress and how she kept this secret from her younger sister, Venus Williams stated, “So, the green is kind of historic for us. We started designing last year. We understood the mission. It meant so much to us to get it right. You don’t want to walk out here and get it wrong and not play honor. We wanted to bring it all. We got the heritage. We’ve got the hair from Josephine Baker, even throwback to my own beads from Serena and I. Also the cape from Andre Leon Tally. So, we’re just like so excited. Tonight’s going to be such a celebration. She doesn’t know. And you know we always text each other each other’s designs, but this is the one year we didn’t. You have to wait.”

Talking about her gorgeous look, hair stylist Araxi Lindsey said, “My inspiration for Venus Williams’ Met Gala look derived from René Lacoste’s legendary nickname, ‘The Crocodile‘. I wanted to creatively reimagine crocodile skin through structural design while honoring African American culture. With this year’s theme celebrating the superfine tailoring of Black Dandyism, the creative team and I chose cornrows with a twist as a modern nod to heritage and style.“

The look was designed by Lacoste’s creative director, Pelagia Kolotouros, who had in fact also accompanied Venus Williams on this red-carpet event. Tennis has always been at the intersection of sports and fashion, and Lacoste is believed to be one of those pioneers who has helped tennis players like Williams elevate sport-chic looks.

What did Kolotouros say about his experience working with someone like Williams? “Dressing Venus Williams was a profound privilege. She is a trailblazer: a tennis legend, a fashion icon, and a powerful voice for women.”

The creative director of Lacoste further added, “With this look, we brought together the tennis codes that are central to Venus’s life and career, and to Lacoste’s heritage, and reconstructed them through the lens of traditional tailoring. Her custom Couture look centres on the sports robe, reimagined with the precision and structure of tailoring, bonded with a weather-proof membrane, embellishment, and drama that brings further texture and movement. Every detail was crafted in Paris to reflect Venus’ stature and to express, through technique and silhouette, the full extent of our savoir-faire.” Not only Venus but also Serena Williams managed to turn heads with her stunning look at the 2025 Met Gala. How did everyone react to her look, though?

Serena Williams receives a grand welcome at the Met Gala

Fashion is a mode of expression for Serena Williams, and at the 2025 Met Gala, she didn’t fail to express herself with her elegant look. She donned an off-the-shoulder icy blue gown, which was paired with a dramatic quilted wrap designed by Moncler. Other than that, Williams paired her stunning outfit with Fred Leighton diamond earrings with a matching hair brooch, bracelet, and rings. The tennis legend even shared a glimpse of her stunning look on her X handle with the caption, “And one meltdown later, we are finally on the way to the Met Gala.” Her IG post with a similar picture captioned, “For every dandy, there’s a gown.”

Serena Williams even got a royal welcome from the renowned American musician Jon Batiste, who had been spotted welcoming her by playing the saxophone at the gala event. Williams arrived at this mega event with the former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, and in fact, he was also in charge of Williams’ look at this mega event. Speaking about her look for this event, Enninful said, “I am at a fitting with the incredible Serena Williams. It’s been a dream come true for me to dress Serena for the Met. The Met is tomorrow, and yeah, we’re gonna kill it. She’s going to be the best dressed, what can I say?” 

Was she the “best dressed” or was it Venus Williams? Well, that’s a topic of debate, but even American gymnast, Simone Biles, couldn’t stop herself from dropping a three-word reaction to Serena’s stunning look at the Met Gala. Which among the Williams sisters do you think was the best-dressed at this event, though?