Serena Williams Nike Design Crew collective gives underrepresented designers the opportunity to succeed 

Back in 2019 Nike and Serena Williams announced a very special partnership that would give underrepresented designers the opportunity of a lifetime. Ten emerging designers were selected to work on a Serena-inspired collection and the application process was rigorous. Nike with the assistance of Parsons, Harlem's Fashion Row and the New York Fashion Institute all scouted for the most promising talents to join the Serena Williams Nike Design Crew (SWDC).

Over the last 18 months the Nike crew and Serena have been hard at work crafting their debut collection that pushes the boundaries and carries that bold Serena aesthetic. Now, the inaugural SWDC collection has officially arrived.

"It's something really fun. It's definitely bold. And it's definitely different-but it's also very wearable. I think that's also really important," Serena said in a recent interview with Vogue.

Serena's fierce personality can be seen through the colorful and eccentric colors, patterns, one-shoulder sport bras, and contrast sleeves. There's also a two-toned jumpsuit in the extensive collection which is one of the 23-time major champion's favorites.

The debut line will be arriving in time for fall and it's more than just a celebration of Serena's legacy in the style category, it's also a major career kickstart for the ten creators who worked tirelessly on this special project. Seven of the ten designers have been hired as full-time employees at Nike, while the other three are working in the fashion industry.

Nike's Vice President of global diversity and inclusion Jarvis Sam is excited not only to see the finished result of the group's work, but the after effects of it.

"Serena Williams design crew offered the opportunity for them to gain tangible experience where now we truly are seeing the impact on the industry," Sam said.

The concept of bringing more diversity into the design rooms came from Serena herself. The 39-year-old described design meetings as "not the most diverse place," and she wanted to change this narrative. She knew the talent was out there and wanted to open the door for more diverse designers and creators. Looking at how exceptionally-well the first line was executed and the benefits it has given so many underrepresented minorities, Serena is doing exactly what she sought out to do—change the world of design.

When the first collection officially hits the market, SWDC's second class will have already begun working on the second collection and the process will continue. Applications are also open for the third class. This partnership is said to promise the confidence Serena exudes on and off the court while putting rising design talents in a position to succeed.