Venus's bizarre style statement

Last updated on: May 28, 2010 09:35 IST

Paris is otherwise known as the fashion capital of the world.

The women stars at the French Open, therefore, did not want to be left behind when it came to making their own style statements.

The various styles on display this year vary from the simple to the funky, to the bizarre (read outlandish).

Rediff.com presents a lowdown of some fashion statements at the Roland Garros this year.

Before sticking to the strict all-white dress code at Wimbledon next month, Venus Williams is indulging in some risque French cancan in Paris.

The American's black lace corset, resembling an offcast from the nearby Moulin Rouge cabaret, is the talk of the French Open, and the accompanying tight skin-coloured knickers have raised just as many dumbstruck glares.

"The design has nothing to do with the rear. It just so happens that I have a very well developed one," she chuckled later.

Image: Venus Williams
Photographs: Reuters

Next

Last updated on: May 28, 2010 09:35 IST

The opening Wednesday at Roland Garros is traditionally when Parisian schoolchildren are given priority for tickets, and they and their teachers almost got even more than they bargained for as the unconvincing red straps to Venus's dress threatened to reveal yet more of the American.

The world number two wore the outfit for the first time at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami earlier this year and she uses her daring court appearances to promote her own line of fashions.

"It's really about the illusion. Like you can wear lace, but what's the point of wearing lace when there's just black under," she added.

"The illusion of just having bare skin is definitely for me a lot more beautiful. So it's really not about anything else other than just that skin showing."

Venus, who seems to prefer to talk fashion than tennis, believes her outfit is the symbol of her personality.

"I try to represent what I think my personality is on the court. That's the first part of it," she said.

"The second part is sometimes you just dream it up. Sometimes you can see a dress and say, 'Hey, I really like those slits, so let me put that in my tennis dress'."

Image: Venus Williams

Prev Next

Last updated on: May 28, 2010 09:35 IST

Nude shots are not just Venus's style statement; Serena Williams was seen in them at the Australian Open earlier this year.

Like her elder sister, Serena is also known to design her own outfits.

And they are as outlandish as they come.

We have already seen her stride onto the court in many zany outfits that range from a black cat suit to a Pink Panther-inspired outfit and she never lets us forget that plunging necklines are her trademark.

Serena likes adding that little extra to her outfit through her accessories, be it her long earrings or that chunky pendant slung across the neck.

This time though, at the French Open, the younger of the Williams sisters was in action in a frilly blue dress.

No big style statement that, but you never know what surprises Serena has in store!

Image: Serena Williams

Prev Next

Last updated on: May 28, 2010 09:35 IST

Maria Sharapova eased into the second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over fellow-Russian Ksenia Pervak on Tuesday, but it is her simple (yet effective) dressing that is being discussed in Paris.

The two-toned dress she wore during the match caught everyone's fancy.

It may not be the most unique pattern around but it was an outfit that got the thumbs up from many admirers, including her father.

"Yesterday after my match my dad called me to tell me that he really liked my dress; I have been playing tennis since I was four years old and this is the first time he has ever said anything about my dress! So this must be my best dress ever!", Sharapova wrote on a social networking website.

We have no option but to agree. For beauty lies in simplicity.

Image: Maria Sharapova

Prev Next

Last updated on: May 28, 2010 09:35 IST