Venus Launches EleVen at Steve & Barry's

Events

Saturday, 17 November 2007 00:00

Venus Launches EleVen at Steve & Barry's

Written by Karen Flax-Jardine

On a cool rainy late morning, people lined up, young and old, tennis fans and non-tennis fans alike, to wait to get an autograph and especially to be one of the first people to buy an item from tennis star and now fashion designer Venus Williams. On Thursday, November 15th, 2007, Venus Williams launched her new line of clothing called EleVen at Fashion retailer Steve and Barry’s Manhattan Mall store in New York City. This line of clothing, footwear and accessories represents the largest fashion collection ever introduced by a female athlete and it comes just in time for Holiday shopping.

Venus Williams held a brief News Conference and Photo op for the New York and international press inside Steve and Barry’s store. The arrival of the EleVen collection also corresponds with another milestone in Venus’ life. On December 13th, Venus will receive a degree in Fashion Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Ms. Williams said that she loved the fact that she could use her "design education" and "love of fashion" when she created her collection with a team of Steve and Barry’s designers.

Ms. William's vision was "to create a collection that will allow women to easily transition throughout their active lifestyles and still look fashionable." Her collection will soon be available all over the country. As Venus says, "Why strive for a 10 when you can be an EleVen?"

Venus did talk a little tennis as she was very excited about the upcoming 2008 season, "I have so many dreams and goals for 2008." Venus and Serena Williams will be playing doubles together at the Australian Open. "We love playing together and also we want to play doubles in the Olympics, so we're starting right off in the New Year playing.

Venus says that she doesn’t think about the future, "I'm in the middle of my career. I'm looking forward to the next season and I'm going to go for it. I love being on the court and I can't wait to do even bigger than last year. I want to win every match -- I hate losing."

In another tennis note, Venus wished the US Davis Cup well in the upcoming final, which takes place at the end of November.

After her News Conference, Williams changed into another one of her many outfits from her fashion line before taking the time to sign autographs for an hour for her adoring fans. One young girl who had met Venus two years ago, brought Ms. Williams a trophy that she had won from a recent girls tournament for Venus to autograph along with a picture she took with Venus when they first met.

Venus will be on the road introducing her line from November 15th until November 25th. "The EleVen Tour" will be making stops in Chicago, Buffalo, Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Detroit, Cleveland, San Francisco, San Diego, Anaheim and ending in Los Angeles.

Venus EleVen launch photos.
Photos: Karen Flax-Jardine