If there is anyone who understands that fashion is a full-body sport, it’s legendary tennis ace Venus Williams. We’ve watched her redefine "courtside chic" for years, but stepping into the role of Met Gala cochair this year took her style game to a whole new arena. While she’ll be the first to tell you that the museum’s iconic steps are way more nerve-racking than a Grand Slam final (or even her recent wedding aisle), she arrived looking every bit the regal champion we adore.

Of course, tonight's megawatt Met Gala look followed the Fashion Is Art dress code for this year's Costume Institute exhibit, which examines fashion as a wearable art form. Williams used her custom jewelry to symbolize the connection between her worlds of high-fashion glamour and the physicality required to be one of the best athletes in the world. Every detail was a deliberate nod to "Body of Science," Gatorade's just-launched multiyear global research initiative, which is bringing attention to the lack of research dedicated specifically to women’s bodies. It’s a subtle reminder that while we’ve mastered the aesthetic of the female form, we’re still catching up on the science behind it.

Before the big event, we connected with Venus Williams to chat about following in her sister Serena's footsteps as cochair, conquering Met Gala–day nerves, and why her bespoke jewelry was the ultimate power play on fashion's biggest night of the year.

WHO: Venus Williams
WEAR: Custom Swarovski
STYLED BY: Ronald Burton III

What was your initial reaction upon being asked to be a cochair this year? Did Serena give you any advice from her time as cochair in 2019?

My initial reaction was, honestly, oh my gosh, yay! There was celebration, disbelief, and a lot of gratitude to have even been considered. I don’t think anyone ever feels worthy of being a cochair of the Met, so it was an incredible feeling. I remember being immensely proud when my sister was cochair, so I know she feels the same about me. I’m still in disbelief; it’s one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had. I’m planning on enjoying the whole experience.

Tell me about your Met Gala jewelry.

My accessories on Monday night are all custom pieces, and they're really designed to bring to life that only 6% of global sports science research focuses exclusively on the female body. Every detail was thoughtfully crafted to connect back to the Body of Science story in a way that feels cohesive and expressive.

How did Body of Science inspire your Met Gala jewelry and looks for the other Met moments?

We crafted looks together that were really meant to call attention to the women’s sports science research problem, including my pre-gala dinner look, the press preview event look, and, of course, my accessories for Monday night. I really wanted each look to tell an individual story on its own, while together telling a bigger story about the power of female bodies and the need to better understand them.

Why is working with Gatorade a good fit for you? What are they working on that excites you?

As an athlete, Gatorade has obviously always been there throughout my career. They have always led from the front when it comes to investing in women’s sports and pushing the ball forward, and when they came to me about Body of Science and being a meaningful part of the solution, it was an easy yes.

Congratulations on your recent wedding! What's more nerve-racking: walking down the aisle or walking up the Met Gala steps, and why?

Walking up the Met Gala stairs will definitely be more nerve-racking for me. I’m naturally quite shy, even if it doesn’t always come across. I’ve always been deeply introverted. Though I’ve grown into more of an "extroverted introvert" over time. That’s why this moment feels a little more daunting. Walking down the aisle felt completely natural. I already knew I wanted to marry my husband, so there were no nerves.

How has the sports science research gap impacted your career? Why is female-specific sports science data important in tennis and other sports?

When Gatorade was first sharing Body of Science, I guess I wasn’t surprised, but was obviously a little frustrated that I spent decades optimizing my fitness and wellness to be the best on the court, and realizing it wasn’t optimized for me. It’s so important for women to have information, resources, and education catered to us and our unique needs, and I’m excited that the next generation of female tennis players, as well as females across life stages, will have better, science-backed data to make decisions about their bodies. People keep asking, “What’s next for women’s sports?” and I think this is a huge part of it.

On Saturday, some of the today's most prolific names in music, film, television, and sport met up in Pasadena, California to celebrate the 54th NAACP Image Awards. And naturally, they didn't show up in just anything. Dressed by the most sought-after stylists and brands in the business, from Law Roach to Jason Bolden and Prada to Versace, the attendees at the 2023 NAACP Awards knew exactly what they were doing when they stepped onto the event's golden carpet. That is, embedding their outfits in our minds forever. 

Between Zendaya wearing not just vintage Versace from the Italian brand's spring/summer 2002 couture collection but also a custom-made Prada set that was inspired by one from spring/summer 1993, Tracee Ellis Ross donning a dress snatched right off of Brandon Maxwell's NYFW runway, and Gabrielle Union showing up in Gianni Versace's Circus gown from his 1989 couture collection, it's clear that no fashion stone was left unturned by the end of this particular award show. Below, see the 10 most memorable looks from the star-studded event for yourself.

WHO: Zendaya

WEAR: Atelier Versace S/S '02 couture dress and Bulgari jewellery

WHO: Janelle Monáe

WEAR: Custom Cong Tri dress

WHO: Tracee Ellis Ross

WEAR: Brandon Maxwell dress and jewellery

WHO: Kerry Washington

WEAR: Custom Fendi dress

WHO: Viola Davis

WEAR: Custom Dior dress, Rodo clutch, and DeBeers jewellery

WHO: Zendaya

WEAR: Custom Prada set and Bulgari jewellery

WHO: Serena Williams

WEAR: Custom Brandon Blackwood dress

WHO: Yara Shahidi

WEAR: Giambattista Valli S/S '17 couture dress and Cartier jewellery

WHO: Gabrielle Union

WEAR: Atelier Versace F/W '89 couture dress

WHO: Issa Rae

WEAR: Custom Aknvas dress

Next up: And Now, Every Jaw-Dropping Look From This Year's SAG Awards

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear US. 

Imagine waking up and knowing that no matter what the day throws at you, your hair will look great. It’s the kind of dream that I have on a regular basis, so whenever I have the opportunity to quiz hair experts on creating flawless looks, I always make an abundance of notes. I want to know everything, including what products they keep in their kits, how to keep hair smooth, and how to give curls and coils more definition or hold. So when I got the chance to chat with industry-renowned hair artist Vernon François about all things hair, I jumped at it. 

As a session and celebrity stylist, product line founder and recently appointed global consultant for Redken, François has coiffed hair for countless red carpet looks, cover shoots and TV appearances. Yes, this is a man who knows how to make all hair types look and feel amazing. Over the years, he’s styled the likes of Lupita Nyong’o, Laura Harrier, Serena Williams, Amandla Stenberg and Willow Smith—and that’s only a handful of his impressive clientele.

So to help you and me achieve our dreams of great hair every single day, read on for his simple hairstyling tips and favourite product recommendations. Trust me—they're basic but in a good way.

Tip #1: Skip the Heat 

"Create waves overnight without heat," says François. "First, prepare straight or wavy hair with a prep spray. Next, take a long silk scarf—or an old soft, cotton T-shirt—cut into strips, then twist or braid this through the hair. You'll wake up to a fabulous wavy look with body and movement. Brush it out if desired."

Tip #2: Section Your Ponytail

"Style thick or dense hair into a ponytail in two or three sections to minimise tension at the scalp," explains François. "Start by taking a circle-shaped section of hair at the crown, pull that into a ponytail or a puff, and then gather the outer layer at the front, back and sides in to join it. This will enable you to get a slick, snatched look that’s kind to the delicate strands around the hairline."

Tip #3: Embrace a Hairpiece

"All hair textures can wear hair extensions for a dramatic but temporary change," says François. "Seek out good-quality hair extensions that mimic your hair's true texture. Preparing and styling the hair before applying it to your head will easily give you full control over all angles, minimising stress and saving you time. Once you’re happy with the shape, finish with a hair spray that gives shine and hold, like Redken's Pure Force 20."

Tip #4: Use Your Fingers

"Detangle kinky, coily, curly and wavy hair before styling using your fingers instead of a brush," advises François. "This will minimise breakage, help to keep kinks and curls formed, eliminate pulling and preserve length. Start at the ends of your hair and gradually work upwards, massaging out any tangles along the way. A spritz of my Leave-In Conditioner will help to speed the process along."

Tip #5: Try a Head Massage

"Self-care through head massage helps you feel relaxed, positive, and in the right frame of mind for approaching the styling of your hair," says François. "At the same time as stimulating circulation at the scalp, it encourages hair to be malleable for cooperative strands. A little hair oil on your fingertips is an extra treat while doing this. You’ll be glad you took the time."

Tip #6: Train Strands to Lie Flat

"For a sleek style that is effortlessly smooth, prepare hair the night before by training strands to lie flat against the head," explains François. "Apply a mousse, like Redken’s Guts 10, to damp hair. Then, French-braid or tie behind each ear, get the roots and hair around your face smooth, and just let it sit. Strands will be more cooperative the next day, meaning less pulling. Brush the ends out in the morning with a round brush if desired. This works particularly well for straight and wavy hair."

Tip #7: Deep-Clean Hair

"Cleanse post-workout hair and eliminate product build-up with my dry-shampooing technique," explains François. "Section hair before applying a sulphate-free shampoo directly on to dry hair. Massage into the scalp, emulsify with a little water, and then rinse through hair in the direction of the water flow. This deep clean sets the stage for conditioner being absorbed most effectively into hair afterward."

Tip #8: Play With Your Parting

"Elevate your look with minimal effort by changing where and how deeply you part your hair," says François. "Start the parting at the highest point of your eyebrow to add drama. Longer hair? Try parting it closer to your ear with most of your hair falling over the crown of your head for volume. You’ll show fresh kinks, coils, curls and waves instead of those usually exposed to the elements. Sweep and pin the smaller section up at the back by the nape to create shape."

Up next: 23 short haircuts that require barely any upkeep.