A First Look at Virgil Abloh & Nike’s “QUEEN” Collaboration for Serena Williams
Featuring performance gear and new takes on the Air Max 97 & Blazer Mid.
After teasing the collaboration recently, Nike and Virgil Abloh have now revealed their joint “QUEEN” capsule for Serena Williams. Coming two weeks before Williams steps out on-court at the U.S. Open, the collection features two tulled dresses — “daytime” and “nighttime” — as well as special-edition performance sneakers.
The dresses both feature signature Abloh touches, with the “LOGO” branding from previous collaborative Nike releases as well as the word “SERENA.” This text also features on the special-edition NikeCourt Flare 2 PE silhouette. As well as the performance pieces, the capsule also includes a bomber jacket and bag. The collection will also launch alongside special editions of the Air Max 97 and Blazer Mid SW. The 97s come in a bright pink colorway while the Blazer’s are decked out in grey. Both sneakers feature a colorful gradient midsole.
Abloh also explained his ideas behind the collaboration: ”With Serena, we have one of our generation’s most powerful, inspiring athletes as the muse. I was trying to embody her spirit and bring something compelling and fresh to tennis. What I love about tennis is the gracefulness. It’s an aggressive and powerful game, but it takes touch and finesse. So the dress is feminine, but combines her aggression. It’s partially revealing. It’s asymmetrical. It has a sort of ballerina-esque silhouette to symbolize her grace. It’s not about bells and whistles and tricks. It’s just about it living on the body, and expressing Serena’s spirit with each swing of the racket.”
Pricing for the collection is as follows:
Nike x Virgil Abloh for Serena Williams Dress – Day and Night colorway: $500 USD
Nike x Virgil Abloh for Serena Williams Jacket: $900 USD
Nike x Off-White NikeCourt Flare: TBA
The Ten: Nike Air Max 97 – Serena inspired colorway: $190 USD
The Ten: Nike Blazer – Serena inspired colorway: $130 USD
This is Abloh’s second sports-influenced collaboration with Nike, following the World Cup capsule earlier this year.
