At this point in time, Essence is an American classic, beloved by those of us who grew up with the magazine atop the coffee tables of our mothers, aunties, grandmothers, big sisters, and now, ourselves. But on the heels of the 25th annual Essence Festival, and as the magazine approaches its 50th birthday in 2020, Essence is looking forward to inspiring future generations with a new redesign and indisputable, globally recognized champion and fashion entrepreneur Serena Williams.
Williams is the star of Essenceβs September issue, also known as its Global Fashion Issue, which βtakes audiences on a world tour of Black creatives from fashion and art to culture and business,β according to a release touting that next monthβs issue is βfeaturing designers from Lagos to New York City.β
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Exemplifying our inextricable link to Africa, Williamsβ face is half-painted by famed Nigerian-born, Brooklyn-based artist Laolu Senbanjo and captured by photographer Kwaku Alston for the September cover and feature story, titled βThe Future of Serena Williams.β
βWe are beyond ecstatic to have Serena Williamsβone of the most photographed women on the planetβto be the muse for our September Global Fashion issue,β said MoAna Luu, Essenceβs chief content and creative officer. βThis issue promises to be one of ESSENCEβs biggest with a fresh new redesign,β she added. βWe also brought the best Black creatives in the worldβincluding visual artist Laolu, who gave us Serenaβs stunning face painting for the coverβto present all of the stunning visuals that you see.β
The multihyphenate mogul, who will present her S by Serena line at New York Fashion Week in September with a 24-hour runway-to-retail option available September 10, gave Essence some insights to her incredible success, and the passion that fuels her perpetually multitasking life.
βMy biggest joy is that I know that Iβm doing something that Iβve always wanted to do, that I always dreamed of doing,β Williams said. βI just needed to do it on my own. Because when you invest in yourself, it helps your confidence, and youβll know forever that whether you make it or not, you stepped up to the plate.β
The working mom also speaks on her larger-than-life image and her unapologetic stance. βFreedom means standing up and not being afraid to say, βIβm hereβ or βHear my voiceβ or βThis isnβt what I agreed toβ or βThis isnβt fair and that isnβt right,ββ Williams says. βIβve done it my whole career. Itβs knowing where Iβve come from, knowing my history, in particular, the sport that Iβm in. When I first started, there werenβt a lot of people who looked like me. So it was really important to always help other people feel as if this is something they could also be a part of...β
Inclusivity is a huge part of Williamsβ fashion brand, which has recently introduced an extended size range. But while the pioneering tennis player wants to design clothing for all types of bodies, what sheβs not welcoming is the term βplus.β
βWe want to be inclusive. We have an extended size, and we call it great because I donβt like the word βplus,ββ Williams told Essence. βSo we call it S Great because every woman is great.β
Williams is just one great woman to look forward to in the newly redesigned September issue, which also marks the debut of Essenceβs Black Fashion Awards, βrecognizing game changers moving fashion forward through design, photography, styling, modeling and more; the #BlackWomenIn profiles, highlighting five sisters creating diversity behind-the-scenes in fashion; and The Cool Girl Guide series, spotlighting global influencers in Paris who make their city haute.β
The Glow Up tip: The September issue of Essence, starring Serena Williams, will be on stands on August 16.
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