Venus Williams' Iconic Met Gala Looks, Ranked

Venus Williams is a renowned American tennis player and advocate for women in sports. Throughout her career, she has earned four Olympic gold medals and several Grand Slam titles, and has used her platform to relentlessly fight for equality in tennis. In 2023, she wrote a powerful letter that addressed the gender pay gap for athletes. "When I won my first major title at Wimbledon in 2000, I was presented a check for 430,000 pounds," she wrote, adding that male champions were paid 477,500 pounds (via the US Open). "The fact that I was paid less than the men's champion didn't seem fair," she added.

As a feminist icon and tennis mastermind, she has been hard to ignore at major events. In fact, the athlete has made such an impact that she is set to co-chair the 2026 Met Gala alongside the likes of Nicole Kidman, Beyoncé, and Anna Wintour. The event will take place on May 4, and the theme has been dubbed "Fashion is Art."

Kim Kardashian has had some iconic Met Gala looks over the years, and her appearances may have overshadowed some celebrities who very much deserved our attention, like Venus Williams. During all her Met Gala appearances, Williams has donned some extraordinary outfits. From timeless tailored suits to tenniscore customs, she's made headlines for her iconic looks.

Donning a tenniscore dress, Williams proved style gets better with age at the 2025 Met Gala. The look by Lacoste flowed into a long train and rose into a short, tennis-style skirt at the front, topped with a tinsel-trimmed cape. "Dressing Venus Williams was a profound privilege. She is a trailblazer: a tennis legend, a fashion icon, and a powerful voice for women," Pelagia Kolotouros, Lacoste's creative director, told Women's Wear Daily. According to the designer, the polo shirt reflected Williams' tennis career, and the robe added 'drama.'

Williams created magic when she partnered with Prabal Gurung for the 2021 Met Gala. The gold medalist arrived on the carpet wearing a red gown that featured a long train. Her look was topped off with a pair of green Swarovski chandelier earrings and a multi-bun updo. Aligning with the "In America" theme, the athlete said the pair drew their ideas from Hollywood glamour. When asked about her look, Williams told Extra TV, "The hair is reminiscent of African American culture and my African roots."

What makes Williams' 2024 Met Gala look so iconic is that she broke it minutes before stepping onto the carpet. Dressed by Marc Jacobs, Williams wore a mirrored dress that exuded glamour. Sticking to the "Garden of Time" dress code, the gold medalist explained that the designers wanted to highlight the fragility of mirrors. Ironically, when she was getting dressed, one of them shattered. "Each one I break, it's seven years' bad luck," she told Live From E!, adding that she was running too late to truly entertain any superstition.

There are many reasons why "less is more" doesn't work for everyone, but it worked for Williams in 2022 when she attended the Met Gala in a black pantsuit styled by Law Roach. She donned a black corset, but the athlete also said she was 'eating pasta at 8 a.m.' (via People). The minimalist look was further emphasized by her silver choker, featuring a large emerald, and her feathered clutch. The real stars of the show were Williams' knee-length braids with silver beads woven into each strand.

We ranked Venus Williams' most iconic Met Gala looks based on a few factors. Since the Met Gala is known for its jaw-dropping attire and over-the-top moments, and because designers curate the looks for months, we assessed each appearance based on the level of risk Williams took with each one. The most unique looks and the most adventurous designs were ranked first.

We also analyzed each of Williams' Met Gala looks based on how they reflected her identity. Since Met Gala costumes weave identity into design, the expectation is that, throughout the lengthy creation process, celebrities foster a connection with the designers. Ideally, the pair produces a look that blends the model's character with the designer's passion for fashion. When Williams communicated a clear message through her outfit, we ranked the look higher. While she undoubtedly looked great on every occasion, some of her Met Gala looks delivered on these elements more than others. We wanted to spotlight her most compelling fashion moments.